Abraham Lincoln vs. Jefferson Davis - Essay Example

Abraham Lincoln vs. Jefferson Davis Political science, the branch of social science deals with the theoretical and practical side of political systems, political behavior, and deeply influence nations. For instance, the Political scenario of the United States includes several segments like U.S Congress, Judiciary, and Federal Government. Within this, the United States was able to produce world famous presidents and politicians. When one considers the political scenario of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis come to the forefront because they were great politicians and diplomats who represent the rich political history of the United States of America. The essay seeks to bring out a comparative and contrastive study between the two personalities in terms of their politics, policies, and achievements in American politics. Thesis statement: Investigation into the American political scenario to unearth the role of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President and the 1st Republican President of the United States of America and an eminent political leader, was so close to the hearts of the people. Lincoln was a country lawyer and member of the United States’ house of representative before his election as the president of United States. His popularity among the people helped him to implement innovative reforms like prohibition of slavery. Isaac Newton Arnold in the work-‘The history of Abraham Lincoln and the overthrow of slavery’ makes clear that: “By its legislation and its grand debates, this congress prepared the way for the great edict of emancipation issued by Abraham Lincoln.” (Arnold, 1867) the role of Abraham Lincoln in emancipating slavery from the mainland of America was vital. But his efficiency as a diplomat and political thinker was proved when he successfully handled the greatest internal crises that the United States faced, like civil war, conserving union and prohibiting slavery. Jefferson Davis, another politician, was born in an ordinary family and his parents and relatives served in continental army at the period of American revolutionary war. Andrew Ward in the work-‘The slaves war: the Civil War in the words of former slaves’ makes clear that: “Davis’s attitude toward slavery was typical of a certain breed of upper crust planter.” (Ward, 2008) Davis was totally against the idea of the freedom and civil rights of slaves and his attitude was similar to any other planters in America. In national politics, he served as United States secretary of war and as a Senator from Mississippi. Later he became the president of Confederated States of America. But his political policies and decisions paved the way for his set back in national politics of the United States of America. Lincoln was the first republican president of United States of America and he had an important role in national politics. Earlier, he was a member of 19C U.S political party in the early 1830s. Besides, he was deeply influenced and greatly admired the policies and leadership of American statesman Henry Clay. Lincoln used to speak against Mexican-American battle when he was elected as House of Representative in 1846. On the other side, Jefferson Finis Davis’ sphere of service was similar to that of Lincoln. But his field of experience was different and had vast experience in military service rather than political skill of Lincoln. Besides, Davis was a well-known politician in America and he was the president of the confederate states of America from 1861 to 1865. This fact proves that Lincoln’s and Davis’s sphere of service was same but their role in the political field was entirely different. When one considers the role of Lincoln in Republican politics, he was forced to come back because of Kansas-Nebraska act was planned by Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. This act permitted colonizers to make a decision on slavery on their province. Besides, the Kansas-Nebraska act caused for the permanent split of Whig party members. The split of Whig reach into the origin of Republican Party and Lincoln accomplished the 2nd place to become the party’s nominee for vice-president. At the same time, Jefferson Davis was with Democratic Party and willing to be the democratic candidate of presidential election in 1860. Meanwhile, Franklin Pierce became the president of U.S and he appointed Davis as United States secretary of war. After the completion of his term, Davis returned to the Senate. He was frustrated and annoyed of the behavior of Democratic Party when they have not received the nomination of president of U.S in 1860. On the other side, Abraham Lincoln was the republican candidate for the presidential election and become the first republican president of United States. Rejection of presidential candidate was the main reason behind Davis’ decision to return to Senate. So, one can see that Davis was ambitious and Lincoln was non-ambitious on political career. At the Illinois state convention, Lincoln got selected for the presidency election and was elected as 16th president of the United States, thrashing Stephen A. Douglas. He faced so many challenges in very short span of his administration. Within the four months of his governing, seven southern states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida etc got separated from the Union and formed the confederate states. His main aim was to rejoin the separated states into union than put an end to slavery. But this created the atmosphere of the Civil War. So he began the battle against the rebellion but was not able to suppress the rebellion at initial attempt. After the defeat of ‘Bull Run’, Lincoln changed his generals and began 2nd Bull Run with new generals but the result was same. After the three consecutive defeats, finally the general Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army who reached the United Stated into the shore of victory. On the other side, Davis, the president of confederate states was the main factor behind the civil war. Somehow, he managed to escape from the battle field but faced utter defeat from the army of United States. Davis believed that each state of United States have the right to self-government and had an indisputable right to separate from Union. His operation was accelerated following the presidential election of United States in 1860. He succeeded on his endeavor and separated seven states from the Union and became president of Confederate States of America for its entire record but it made the cause of civil war. Finally he was defeated at the battle of Gettysburg by the U.S army. Here, one can see that Lincoln worked hard for the union of states and was successful in his effort. But Davis was totally against the union and suffered a lot from his decision. Lincoln was born in a poor family with extreme poverty. But his aim to become an eminent politician to serve his society helped him to become the President of the United States and was able to lead his nation towards progress. When one considers his achievements in American politics/history, his role as an eminent politician comes to the limelight. He conserved the union into a federation of states; put an end to slavery and felicitated the black community to right to vote, equality and equal education as same as white. In 1862, Lincoln announced the freedom for slaves in confederated state of America. So, one can see that his efforts to modernize the political scenario was able to carve his name in golden script of is achievements in history of United States. Davis was also born in an ordinary family but his ambitiousness to become the President of the United States by any means hindered his growth as an eminent politician with the approval of the people. His political career was full of giant leaps and falls. For instance, the Governor of Mississippi nominated Jefferson as Davis as a member of senate due to his vast experience in war service. Later, he was appointed Jefferson as chairman of the committee of military of affairs by the Senate but he resigned the post to apply for the governorship of Mississippi. However, he tasted defeat by Henry Stuart Foote. But his service as the member of senate, service at war time, and as president of Confederate States of America cannot be neglected. By summing up, both the personalities have dissimilarities rather than similarities on their political ideas/policies and achievement. Abraham Lincoln was a real politician as well as real patriot. Besides, the role of Lincoln in unification of states under a single authority and his role in the prohibition of slavery helped him to be an eminent personality in the political history of the United States of America. On the other side, ambitiousness forced Jefferson Davis to act against the political unification of the United States under a single authority. In addition, Davis was always behind the political power. This investigation proves that the personal characteristics of Abraham Lincoln helped him to be an eminent political leader with immense will power to withstand critical situations. But Jefferson Davis’s character and his ambitiousness forced him to take wrong decisions in critical situations related to national politics. But both these personalities were able to withstand critical circumstances but they chose different ways to attain their aim. Works cited Arnold, I. N. (1867). The history of Abraham Lincoln, and the overthrow of slavery. Chicago: Clarke & Co. Ward, A. (2008). The slaves war: the Civil War in the words of former slaves. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Read More

Lincoln was the first republican president of the United States of America and he had an important role in national politics. Earlier, he was a member of the 19C U.S political party in the early 1830s. Besides, he was deeply influenced and greatly admired the policies and leadership of American statesman Henry Clay. Lincoln used to speak against Mexican-American battles when he was elected as House of Representatives in 1846. On the other side, Jefferson Finis Davis’ sphere of service was similar to that of Lincoln. But his field of experience was different and had vast experience in military service rather than the political skill of Lincoln. Besides, Davis was a well-known politician in America and he was the president of the confederate states of America from 1861 to 1865. This fact proves that Lincoln’s and Davis’s sphere of service was the same but their role in the political field was entirely different.

When one considers the role of Lincoln in Republican politics, he was forced to come back because of Kansas-Nebraska act was planned by Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. This act permitted colonizers to make a decision on slavery in their province. Besides, the Kansas-Nebraska act caused the permanent split of Whig party members. The split of Whig reaches into the origin of the Republican Party and Lincoln accomplished 2nd place to become the party’s nominee for vice-president. At the same time, Jefferson Davis was with the Democratic Party and willing to be the democratic candidate of the presidential election in 1860. Meanwhile, Franklin Pierce became the president of the US and he appointed Davis as United States secretary of war. After the completion of his term, Davis returned to the Senate. He was frustrated and annoyed by the behavior of the  Democratic Party when they have not received the nomination of president of the U.S in 1860. On the other side, Abraham Lincoln was the Republican candidate for the presidential election and become the first republican president of the United States. The rejection of presidential candidate was the main reason behind Davis’ decision to return to Senate.  So, one can see that Davis was ambitious and Lincoln was non-ambitious on a political career.

At the Illinois state convention, Lincoln got selected for the presidential election and was elected as 16th president of the United States, thrashing Stephen A. Douglas. He faced so many challenges in a very short span of his administration. Within the four months of his governing, seven southern states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, etc got separated from the Union and formed the confederate states. His main aim was to rejoin the separated states into a union then put an end to slavery. But this created the atmosphere of the Civil War.  So he began the battle against the rebellion but was not able to suppress the rebellion at the initial attempt. After the defeat of ‘Bull Run’, Lincoln changed his generals and began 2nd Bull Run with new generals but the result was the same.  After the three consecutive defeats, finally, general Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army who reached the United Stated into the shore of victory.  On the other side, Davis, the president of confederate states was the main factor behind the civil war. Somehow, he managed to escape from the battlefield but faced utter defeat from the army of the United States. Davis believed that each state of the United States have the right to self-government and had an indisputable right to separate from Union. His operation was accelerated following the presidential election of the United States in 1860. He succeeded in his endeavor and separated seven states from the Union and became president of the Confederate States of America for its entire record but it made the cause of civil war. Finally, he was defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg by the U.S army. Here, one can see that Lincoln worked hard for the union of states and was successful in his effort. But Davis was totally against the union and suffered a lot from his decision.

Read More