1. How does one rise above their surroundings?

2. Abe Lincoln’s Early Life and Career

3. In His Own Words
“I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished families--second families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks.... My father ... removed from Kentucky to ... Indiana, in my eighth year.... It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all.”

4. Abe Lincolns Early Life
Born February 12, 1809 in Hardin Co. KY
Age 5 moves to Indiana
Father was uneducated and harsh
Mother taught him the bible and the importance of an education
Died when Abe was 9
Attended only 1 year of school

5. In Indiana Father was uneducated/hostile to education
Hunts to feed family
Not rich, but well respected man in area
Lincoln was “Raised to farm work”
Area was undeveloped and needed much work
Spent his free time learning from reading

6. River Man
With help from his father he built a river boat and hauled goods down to New Orleans
Dismantled the boat
Returned home
Gave earnings to his father

7. Moved to Macon County Illinois at 21
1830 Gives his first political speech
Improve navigability of the Sangamon River
Worked on his fathers farm until he built his own river boat and made his own money trading to New Orleans

8. On His Own 1831 Returning home from New Orleans
Settles in New Salem Illinois
Starts working as a clerk in a local shop

9. 1832 Big Year Runs (and looses) for Illinois General Assembly
Joins Illinois Militia and fights in the Black Hawk wars
Promoted to rank of captain
Opens his own general store

10. 1833 and 1834 Store fails Becomes post master
Begins working as a surveyor
Gets elected to Illinois General Assembly
Whig party
Part time job
Starts studying law

11. The Whig Party Formed against Andrew Jackson and the democrats
Supported infrastructure works
Believe in the power of Congress

12. 1842 Lincoln almost fought a sword duel to the death
Insulted James Shields in newspapers because of his unpopular politics and Irish heritage
Mary Todd may have made the insults
Shields challenged Lincoln to duel to the death
Was allowed to choose the rules because he was challenged
Also married Mary Todd

13. An officer asked him if it was "true…that you once went out, to fight a duel and all for the sake of the lady by your side?"  Lincoln replied, “I do not deny it, but if you desire my friendship, you will never mention it again.”

14. Goes to Washington Elected to US House of Representatives 1846
Whig Party
Spoke against Mexican American War
Tried to ban slavery in Washington DC
Not elected to a second term
Returns home in 1849
Planed to be done with politics
Returns to legal practice

15. Writing Assignment
Write one paragraph explaining what you think shaped Lincoln into the anti-slavery and honest man he became.