Lincoln: The Man vs. The Image

“A House Divided” 1858 = Democrat Stephen Douglas vs. Republican Lincoln for Illinois Senate “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free.”

Family Background Born in 1809 Poor, illiterate family Self-educated

Becoming a Republican Whig Party’s “American System” Served in Illinois legislature as a Whig

Lincoln’s Stance on Slavery Not an abolitionist Moderate Free-Soiler Federal government limited by Constitution Vowed to protect existing slavery yet prevent it from spreading west

Election of 1860 Divisions between Southern & Northern Democrats Lincoln’s platform 1st regional party in the White House November 1860 = won a 4-way election with less than 40% of the popular vote

Immediate Aftermath March 4, 1861 4 million slaves in the South 11 states in the C.S.A. Limited presidential power

“The Coming Man’s Presidential Career `a la Blondin,” Harper’s Weekly, August 25, 1860

“President-Elect Lincoln en Route to Washington through Baltimore,” 1863 by Southern sympathizer Adalbert Volck

“The President’s Inaugural,” New York Illustrated News, March 23, 1861 by Thomas Nast

“Bogy for a Bad Boy,” Harper’s Weekly, November 1, 1862

“From Our Special War Correspondent,” Harper’s Weekly, 4-15-1865