The Significance of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

Election and inauguration: Lincoln’s election as the 16th President in 1860 and his inauguration in March 1861 occurred amidst escalating tensions between the North and South. His commitment to halt the expansion of slavery was seen as a threat by southern states.
Decision for war: Following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, Lincoln responded by calling for troops from each state, effectively choosing war over compromise and negotiation.
Preservation of the Union: Lincoln staunchly held that the Union was unbreakable by any state’s act of secession, and this principle drove his policies.
Commander-in-Chief: Lincoln played an active role in military strategy discourses and decisions. His strategic agendas included the Anaconda Plan and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation (1862): Lincoln issued this historic declaration that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free, shifting the aim of the Civil War from preserving the Union to abolishing slavery.
13th Amendment: Lincoln fervently advocated for and signed the 13th Amendment into law in 1865, which permanently abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the U.S.
The Gettysburg Address (1863): Lincoln’s famous speech at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg refocused the war’s purpose towards a ‘new birth of freedom’, that included black men and women.

Economic measures: Lincoln’s Presidency oversaw significant economic advancement for the North such as the implementation of the Homestead Act (1862) and the creation of the national banking system (1863).
Relationship with Congress: Lincoln’s relationships within his administration and with Congress were filled with tension, but showed his diplomacy and strategic decision-making.
Reelection in 1864: Lincoln was reelected amidst the ongoing Civil War. His victory was a ratification of his position on slavery and the continuation of the Union.
Assassination: Lincoln’s death in April 1865, only days after the Confederate surrender, left a profound impact on the nation and abruptly ended his plans for a ‘soft’ Reconstruction of the South.

Transformation of the Presidency: Lincoln’s leadership through a national crisis allowed him to expand presidential powers substantially. He set precedents concerning the Commander-in-Chief role under the Constitution during wartime.
Emancipator image: Lincoln is widely regarded as ‘The Great Emancipator’ for his role in ending slavery, even as debates about his personal beliefs continue.
Posthumous recognition: His stewardship of the nation through its bloodiest conflict and his symbolic role in fighting for equality have solidified his position as one of America’s greatest Presidents.