Lincoln Reaction Paper

Abraham Lincoln created a legend through his struggles to overcome his humble beginnings and achieving a revered name in history. Raised to "farm work," Lincoln still somehow built his image up, and became President of the United States. He exemplified the American idea of self-made man. Although he left behind a lasting influence on American politics and set many precedents for the future, he was nonetheless flawed. His humanness, reflected in what are believed to be contradictions, cannot be denied. Regardless of this, Lincoln was indisputably a heroic man who mad history.

When Lincoln became president, he faced the highly combustible situation of the American Civil War. As the first president to face such difficult challenges, Lincoln did not act rashly, but devoted himself to preserve the Union at all costs, even if it meant being accused of dictatorship. Lincoln proved himself a capable leader, preventing the South from seceding and then moving the nation toward "a more perfect union."

Before Lincoln reached the national capital, Jefferson Davis was already inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America. Civil War was close to breaking out following the event of Fort Sumter. Since congress was not in session, Lincoln had to take immediate action, calling up militia and compiling money to be spent; Lincoln just took the necessary actions in a time of emergency. He was "commander-in-chief," which granted him some authority; on top of that the limits of execute war power were not clearly defined, so Lincoln cannot take full blame. He undoubtedly acted thinking of the consequences; this was the best path to take.

Even with issues concerning slavery, Lincoln made each decision after carefully thinking them over. He tried hard to balance his desire to save the Union with his desire to free the slaves. Although he had a personal conviction towards extinguishing slavery, Lincoln chose to do what was or advantageous rather than for what he believed was right, which was first preserving the country; if he had freed all the slaves, then more states would have seceded, and the war probably would have been lost. But even though he could not do as he felt was just, Lincoln cleverly liberated the slaves in the seceding states, setting the stage for future emancipation.

However, some believe Lincoln