Abraham Lincoln: Sectional President as Preserver of the Union Abraham Lincoln, a sectional candidate whose election led to secession of the South, succeeded in restoring the Union and laying a strong foundation for its future greatness. Both Lincoln's military policies and his domestic programs helped to make one of the most effective presidents in American history. Lincoln opposed slavery and chose moderate means to achieve abolition of it. He didn't like the notion of popular sovereignty Illinois's Senator Stephen A. Douglas proposed. He believed the principle was false and that slavery wasn't just going to affect the Western United States, but in reality the nation as a whole. He stated that the U.S. government couldn't carry on with part of them pro-slavery and the other against it and sooner or later they will reunite. The reason Lincoln was a sectional candidate was palpable; the No ...view middle of the document...
Lincoln detested the idea of going into battle; however, he was not apprehensive in waging total war against the South. After many politicians-turned soldiers were appointed by the President, one general especially stood out from the rest. General Ulysses S. Grant was Lincoln's main commander in 1864 and was given full support throughout his time leading the Union army. In the Battle of Antietam, the Union won a small victory. During that time frame, Lincoln seized the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The newly signed bill declared freedom for slaves in all areas of the Confederacy that were still in rebellion against the Union. Furthermore, it provided for the use of blacks in the Union Army and Navy. This had a great impact on the North's victory in the war. The Civil War encouraged industry and agriculture in the North and West. The population of the Union increased dramatically due to the immigration of some 800,000 Europeans. 300,000 of them emigrated to the West to inhabit California and Oregon. President Lincoln promoted the plan for settlement of the West by signing three important acts in 1862. The Homestead Act offered settlers 160 acres of Western land each. The settlers were required to live on and use the land for five years and pay a small fee to the government. The Morrill Act gave the states free land to establish agricultural and mechanical colleges. The Pacific Railway Act incorporated the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads for the construction of a transcontinental railroad, which for some time had been a national objective to speed the development of the West. Lincoln was one of America's most successful presidents. He helped put back together the pieces of the country during a time of crisis while abolishing slavery. He was a product of democracy and a persuasive spokesman for its principles. Albeit President George Washington led the Patriots in the American Revolution to victory, President Abraham Lincoln helped the Union win in the Civil War, reunite the divided states and end a period of inhumanity for African Americans. He indefinitely leaves a legacy few American presidents can match
