Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln Notes

The Life of Abraham Lincoln Born February 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, KY Abrahams Mother died when he was just 9 years old. Abraham Lincoln’s nickname “Honest Abe” came from his honesty and decency as a young man while running his store. In 1842 Abe married his wife Mary Todd 1846 Lincoln’s first son Edward Baker Lincoln is born 1850 Lincoln has another son William Wallace Lincoln. 1853 “Honest Abe” has another son Thomas Lincoln Lincoln and his family lived in Illinois for a while but ended up settling down in Washington D.C.

Abraham Lincoln’s Political Career On August 4th, 1834, Abe was elected to the Illinois General Assembly. In 1836 Lincoln was re-elected, he also received his license to start practicing law. In 1838 Lincoln becomes the Whig party floor leader. In 1856 Lincoln helped to create the new republican party of Illinois. In 1857 Lincoln speaks against the Dred Scott decision.

Lincoln’s Presidential Platform He promised to: Prohibit slavery in the territories. To establish a daily mail service To complete the Transcontinental Railroad To support a protective tariff.

Lincoln’s Presidency In 1860 Abraham Lincoln is nominated to run for president by the republican party. Lincoln win’s! 1861 the Civil War begins. On August 6th, 1861 Lincoln signs a law freeing slaves being used by the confederate army. In 1862 President Lincoln signs a law prohibiting slavery in the territories. On January 1, 1863 he signs into law the Emancipation Proclamation. 1864 Lincoln is nominated for a second term of presidency

Jefferson Davis’s Early Life Born in Louisiana on June 3rd 1808, he is the youngest of 10 siblings. Named after Thomas Jefferson. Moved to Mississippi at a very young age. Went to Jr. High and High School. His father dies when he was 16, his older brother became a father figure to him.

Davis’s Military Career He attended West Point Academy in New York. After Graduation Davis was commissioned as a Second Lt. 1st Infantry Regiment Fort Crawford, MI Under Zachary Taylor He fought during the Mexican-American War.

Davis’s Family Life He married Sarah Knox Taylor, daughter of Zachary Taylor. He did own many slaves, but he was good to them. After three months of marriage, Sarah died of Malaria. He did remarry, Varina Howell and they went on to have six kids.

Davis’s Political Career He served 2 years as a Senator. He became the Secretary of War under President Franklin (1853- 1857) He returned to the Senate after that. He became the one and only President of the Confederate States of America in 1861. He did not want the job, he had been hoping to lead part of the military. He was captured by the Union Army on May 10, 185 and imprisoned until 1867.

Davis’s Presidential Platform He believed in: A slave society and the Southern way of life. He fiercely protected an individual’s right to own slaves. He believed in the elite Planter class. He never actually wanted to be President. He was elected by a council of Southern leaders. He wanted to be commander of the Confederate Army.

Answer these questions after taking the notes! Why do you think Lincoln spoke out against the Dred Scott Decision? What about his Presidential Platform made him so appealing to voters? Describe the how Lincoln’s emancipation policies evolved during his Presidency. How did Davis’ military career help to prepare him to be President of the Confederacy? Why is it important that Davis himself owned slaves? What does Davis’ platform tell us about him as a person and as a leader? Draw a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast Lincoln and Davis.