Sean Pratt
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A Righteous Lawyer Deals With an Unhappy Marriage (1837-1842) Lincoln's studies lead to him becoming a successful lawyer in Illinois. He is often published anonymously during the political campaign of 1837 and his works include detailed rebuttals against opposing politicians. As a pivotal member of the Whig party, Lincoln openly begins to condemn mob violence and lynching, and begins to publicly denounce slavery in his speeches. This chapter details...
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An Election Victory, Threats of Succession, and Appointing a Cabinet (1860-1861) Lincoln campaigns for the presidency and the new Republican Party struggles to win the popular support of ex-Whigs and disaffected Democrats. They must also placate the Seward and Chase camps with patronage promises, fend off charges of being the party of 'negro equality' and keep the abolitionist elements of their coalition in line. Since presidential candidates did...
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From the Mud March to Gettysburg (January-July 1863) Dissatisfaction with the Emancipation Proclamation and lack of military victory heightens the discontent with the administration. Trouble comes with the destructive rivalry within the army and the threat of the French intervening on behalf of the Confederacy. The president's decision concerning the Minnesota Sioux Uprising infuriates the West. Lincoln must decide what to do with a demoralized army...
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Lincoln's Frontier Background Shapes the Future President (1809-1837) In Chapter 1, we are introduced to Lincoln's lineage and the history of his grandparents, his parents and the various locations in which they settled. But this chapter is mainly devoted to Lincoln's father, Thomas, recounting many of his ventures, personality traits and the intricacies of his relationship with his son. We also learn of his son's childhood experiences, mainly those...
5) Abraham Lincoln: A Life 1864-1865: The Grand Offensive; Reelection; Victory at Last; The Final Days
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The Grand Offensive (May-August 1864) The Spring Offensive is launched. A bogus presidential proclamation calling for volunteers and prayers causes panic throughout the North. Grant and Lee battle for six weeks until severe losses force them to a halt. Congressional Radicals pass a bill that will allow Southern States re-admittance to the Union as long as they give an oath that they never supported the Confederacy. Southern leaders spread bogus peace...
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The Fort Sumter Crisis (March-April 1861) Lincoln struggles with William Seward's thirst for power while the Fort Sumter question comes to the forefront of the nation's politics. War has begun. Lincoln hesitates calling a session of Congress amidst fears of interference with the war effort. Needing to defend the capital, he calls for the Union militia. A commander by the name of George B. McClellan is placed in complete control of the Union army....
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Building a New Party, a House Divided and the Lincoln Douglas Debates ( 1855-1858) Lincoln struggles to form a new party to take the place of the defunct Whig party. Stephen Douglass vies for Republican support and begins to deny his affiliations with Democrats, stating that he had planned to curtail the spread of slavery geographically by building a railroad. Despite Douglass being more popular than Lincoln, he lost many supporters due to strong...
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A Mid-Life Crisis and a Re-Entry to Politics (1849-1855) This point in Lincoln's life is marked by a sudden return to the practice of law. Highly moral and judicious, he often took little or no money for cases, and would not represent a client if he didn't believe in his case. Lincoln tried to settle many cases out of court. He developed a persona of being affable and open, especially to juries, giving him a noted advantage. He also served on the...
9) Abraham Lincoln: A Life 1859-1860: The "Rail Splitter" Fights For and Wins the Republican Nomination
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The Rail Splitter Fights For and Wins the Republican Nomination (1859-1860) Pursuing the Republican Nomination (1859-1860) Lincoln's speeches were being published and widely circulated, as he began to practice law again as a means of income. When John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry occurred, Democrats cited this as an example of slave-agitation caused by the Republicans. Lincoln also began to address the southern threat of succession, deeming it an...
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From the Slough of Despond to the Gates of Richmond (January-July 1862) Cameron is replaced by Stanton. The president begins to supervise the army and take charge of his administration. Lincoln puts forward his proposal of gradual emancipation with monetary grants to participating states. Many criticize the plan as too expensive. The president proceeds to emancipate the District of Columbia. Lincoln carries out a strategy to replace the social system...
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A Win in Congress and a Battle Against Slavery (1843-1849) This chapter begins with Lincoln's fight for a seat in congress against two other Whig candidates. This part of his life is notably marked by domestic disturbances, many of which shaped people's idea of Lincoln, the man. Taking a pro-tariff stance in his campaign, he is elected to congress in 1846. We learn of his affinity to poetry, which he avidly read and wrote, and see the development...
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From Springfield to Washington, Inauguration, and Distributing Patronage (1861) Lincoln's arrival in Washington generally helps lift the spirits of the city's inhabitants and the North. Despite his efforts to help reach some kind of compromise, the much touted Peace Conference ends in failure and acrimony. Meanwhile Lincoln works on his all important inaugural address, fielding suggestions from close colleagues and deflecting efforts by Seward to...