Part 1: Abraham Lincoln — Early Life and Political Rise
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky. Raised in poverty, Lincoln’s early life was defined by hard labor, minimal formal education, and a voracious appetite for self-learning.
Early Years and Background
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1809, Kentucky |
| Parents | Thomas and Nancy Lincoln |
| Education | Largely self-taught, less than a year of formal schooling |
Law and Entry into Politics
After moving to Illinois, Lincoln taught himself law and was admitted to the bar in 1836. He gained respect as a lawyer known for his clarity and integrity. He entered politics in 1834 as a member of the Illinois State Legislature and quickly earned a reputation as a skilled orator.
| Year | Position | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1834 | Illinois State Legislator | Whig |
| 1846 | U.S. Congressman | Whig |
Notable Early Views and Values
- Opposed to Slavery’s Expansion: Although not initially an abolitionist, Lincoln believed slavery should not spread to new territories.
- Champion of the Common Man: Advocated for economic opportunity, education, and infrastructure development.
- Strong Nationalist: Believed in preserving the Union above all else.
Early Political Rivals
Lincoln’s early political career intersected with many prominent figures. He often clashed with Stephen A. Douglas, a powerful Illinois Democrat who would later become his major rival in the 1858 Senate race and the 1860 presidential election.
| Name | Party | Key Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen A. Douglas | Democratic | Supported popular sovereignty; pro-Union but tolerated slavery |
| James Shields | Democratic | Senator from Illinois; had a comical near-duel with Lincoln in 1842 |
Rare and Interesting Facts
- Lincoln once walked miles to return change to a customer, earning the nickname “Honest Abe.”
- He held a patent for a device to lift riverboats over shoals — the only U.S. president with a patent.
- In his early 20s, Lincoln famously lost a wrestling match only once in roughly 300 bouts.
Lincoln’s rise from rural obscurity to national attention was marked by determination, moral clarity, and the power of words. The next phase of his life would push him onto the national stage — and into the crucible of history.
Part 2: Lincoln’s Election and the Road to the White House
By 1860, the United States was in political turmoil. Sectional tensions between North and South, particularly over slavery, had reached a boiling point. Amid this volatile environment, Abraham Lincoln, a relatively unknown Illinois lawyer and former congressman, emerged as a powerful voice of moderation and unity under the Republican Party banner.
The Election of 1860
Lincoln was chosen as the Republican nominee over prominent candidates like William H. Seward. The Democratic Party had fractured along sectional lines, with Northern Democrats supporting Stephen A. Douglas and Southern Democrats backing John C. Breckinridge. A fourth candidate, John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party, further split the vote.
Lincoln’s election was unique in American history. He won the presidency with less than 40% of the popular vote, relying almost entirely on Northern and Western states. He wasn’t even on the ballot in most Southern states, underscoring how divided the nation had become.
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | Electoral Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | Republican | 1,865,908 (39.8%) | 180 |
| Stephen A. Douglas | Northern Democrat | 1,380,202 (29.5%) | 12 |
| John C. Breckinridge | Southern Democrat | 848,019 (18.1%) | 72 |
| John Bell | Constitutional Union | 592,906 (12.6%) | 39 |
Lincoln’s Vice President: Hannibal Hamlin
Lincoln’s running mate in 1860 was Hannibal Hamlin, a former Democrat from Maine who had joined the Republican Party due to his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Hamlin was selected to balance the ticket geographically and ideologically, representing the Northeast and reinforcing the anti-slavery stance.
Comparison with Buchanan and Breckinridge
Lincoln succeeded James Buchanan, the 15th president, whose inaction and indecisiveness during a time of crisis earned him widespread criticism. Buchanan’s vice president, John C. Breckinridge, became Lincoln’s electoral opponent in 1860, highlighting the deep fractures within the political system.
| Figure | Role | Key Traits | Policy Views |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Buchanan | 15th President | Passive, cautious | Tried to appease South |
| John C. Breckinridge | VP under Buchanan, 1860 Candidate | Young, Southern loyalist | Pro-slavery, states’ rights |
| Abraham Lincoln | 16th President-elect | Eloquent, principled | Anti-slavery expansion, national unity |
| Hannibal Hamlin | Vice President-elect | Anti-slavery Northerner | Strongly opposed expansion of slavery |
Lincoln’s election marked a turning point in American history — one that would soon lead to the Civil War. Despite efforts to calm fears in the South, his victory was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery and to Southern political power. Within weeks, Southern states began to secede, setting the stage for the greatest national crisis in U.S. history.
Part 3: Lincoln’s Re-election and Changing Political Strategy (1864)
By 1864, the United States had endured three years of a bloody Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, seeking re-election, faced public fatigue, military uncertainty, and criticism from both political parties. Yet, through calculated decisions, battlefield victories, and strategic alliances, Lincoln won a second term and helped preserve the Union.
Election of 1864: Context and Turning Point
Lincoln’s re-election was far from guaranteed. The war had dragged on longer than expected, and many in the North were calling for peace — even at the cost of allowing the Confederacy to exist. The tide began to turn with a series of Union military successes, most notably General Sherman’s capture of Atlanta in September 1864. These victories revived Northern morale and undermined calls for negotiated settlement.
A Strategic Shift: Andrew Johnson as Running Mate
To bolster his re-election chances, Lincoln replaced his vice president, Hannibal Hamlin, with Andrew Johnson — a War Democrat and Union loyalist from Tennessee. Johnson’s selection sent a powerful message of national unity and inclusion. Unlike Hamlin, who was a steadfast Republican from Maine, Johnson represented Southern loyalty to the Union and broadened Lincoln’s appeal across party lines.
Major Candidates and Results
| Candidate | Party | Running Mate | Popular Vote | Electoral Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | National Union (Republican) | Andrew Johnson | 2,213,665 (55%) | 212 |
| George B. McClellan | Democratic Party | George H. Pendleton | 1,805,237 (45%) | 21 |
Why Lincoln Replaced Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin was respected and competent, but he lacked national prominence and had limited appeal outside of New England. Lincoln needed a figure who could help unite the country and draw votes from border states. Andrew Johnson, though a Democrat, was loyal to the Union and had stayed in the Senate after Tennessee seceded — a move seen as brave and patriotic.
Comparison of Vice Presidents
| Name | State | Party | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal Hamlin | Maine | Republican | Former Senator, anti-slavery advocate |
| Andrew Johnson | Tennessee | Democrat (Unionist) | Senator, Military Governor of Tennessee, pro-Union |
1864 Election Takeaways
- Military victories boosted Lincoln’s re-election chances dramatically.
- Changing his running mate was a calculated political strategy to unify the North.
- Lincoln’s leadership was reaffirmed by the public despite war weariness.
Lincoln’s second term, however, was cut short by his assassination in April 1865. Nevertheless, his re-election ensured the Union’s ultimate victory and the abolition of slavery — cementing his legacy as one of America’s greatest presidents.