The Political Life Of Abraham Lincoln Vol 1809-1849: The Journey of a Remarkable Leader

Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest political figures in American history, embarked on an extraordinary journey that shaped the nation during a crucial period. From his birth in 1809 until his election as the 16th President of the United States in 1860, Lincoln's political life was a testament to his perseverance, determination, and unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty and equality. In this article, we delve into the early years of Lincoln's political career, exploring the key events, challenges, and triumphs that paved the way for his remarkable rise to prominence.

The Formative Years and Entry into Politics

Born in a modest log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln's early life was marked by hardship and the absence of formal education. However, his thirst for knowledge and a burning desire to make a difference propelled him to seek self-improvement through reading law books and engaging in self-study.

A Self-Made Man: The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln Vol. I, 1809–1849

by Sidney Blumenthal (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	31557 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Lincoln's political ambitions began to take shape while he was still a young man. In 1834, he won his first election and served in the Illinois state legislature. This marked the beginning of his long and distinguished political career, in which he continuously strived to defend the rights of the common people, advocate for economic expansion, and display his exceptional oratory skills.

The Fight Against Slavery and the Landmark Lincoln-Douglas Debates

During his time in the Illinois state legislature, Lincoln vehemently opposed the institution of slavery, viewing it as a moral and ethical abomination. As tensions between the northern and southern states intensified, Lincoln found himself thrust into the national spotlight.

One of the defining moments of his political life was the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, during his campaign for a seat in the United States Senate. These debates, which attracted huge crowds and garnered national attention, focused on the contentious issue of slavery. Lincoln's eloquence, logical arguments, and unwavering commitment to equality made him a formidable opponent to the Democratic incumbent, Stephen A. Douglas.

Although Lincoln lost the Senate race to Douglas, his performance in the debates catapulted him onto the national stage and established his reputation as a prominent political figure. His moral stance against the expansion of slavery resonated with many, and he soon emerged as a leading candidate for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

The Road to the Presidency

Following years of political maneuvering and strategic alliances, Abraham Lincoln secured the Republican Party's nomination for the presidential election in 1860. Running on a platform that centered on preserving the Union and addressing the issue of slavery, Lincoln faced formidable opponents, including Stephen A. Douglas and John C. Breckinridge.

The 1860 presidential election turned out to be a pivotal moment in American history. Despite winning less than 40% of the popular vote, Lincoln secured a decisive victory in the Electoral College, thereby becoming the first Republican president. His election precipitated the secession of several southern states and ultimately led to the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln's political life was characterized by an unwavering commitment to the principles of equality, justice, and the preservation of the Union. His presidency would be defined by the challenges posed by the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the struggle to bring the United States back together. Despite facing enormous opposition, Lincoln's steadfast leadership and dedication to his vision of a more perfect union became his enduring legacy.

The political life of Abraham Lincoln from 1809 to 1849 was a remarkable journey of a man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest leaders in American history. With his unyielding dedication to equality, his fierce opposition to slavery, and his ability to unite a divided nation, Lincoln left an indelible mark on the political landscape. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of conviction, perseverance, and leadership in shaping the course of a nation, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

A Self-Made Man: The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln Vol. I, 1809–1849

by Sidney Blumenthal (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	31557 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The first in a sweeping, multi-volume history of Abraham Lincoln—from his obscure beginnings to his presidency, death, and the overthrow of his post-Civil War plan of reconciliation—“engaging and informative and…thought-provoking” (The Christian Science Monitor).

From his youth as a voracious newspaper reader, Abraham Lincoln became a free thinker, reading Tom Paine, as well as Shakespeare and the Bible. In the “fascinating” (Booklist, starred review) A Self-Made Man, Sidney Blumenthal reveals how Lincoln’s antislavery thinking began in his childhood in backwoods Kentucky and Indiana. Intensely ambitious, he held political aspirations from his earliest years. Yet he was a socially awkward suitor who had a nervous breakdown over his inability to deal with the opposite sex. His marriage to the upper class Mary Todd was crucial to his social aspirations and his political career. “The Lincoln of Blumenthal’s pen is…a brave progressive facing racist assaults on his religion, ethnicity, and very legitimacy that echo the anti-Obama birther movement….Blumenthal takes the wily pol of Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln and Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals and goes deeper, finding a Vulcan logic and House of Cards ruthlessness” (The Washingtonian).

Based on prodigious research of Lincoln’s record, and of the period and its main players, Blumenthal’s robust biography reflects both Lincoln’s time and the struggle that consumes our own political debate. This first volume traces Lincoln from his birth in 1809 through his education in the political arts, rise to the Congress, and fall into the wilderness from which he emerged as the man we recognize as Abraham Lincoln. “Splendid…no one can come away from reading A Self-Made Man…without eagerly anticipating the ensuing volumes.” (Washington Monthly).