Perhaps known as one of the greatest United States presidents of all time, Abraham Lincoln's early life may not have reflected his potential greatness. He was not successful in business. He lost election to the state legislature, Speaker of the House, a nomination for Congress, a nomination as a land officer, the US Senate twice, and a nomination for Vice President. After these eight major failures, Lincoln was elected President of the United States. How many of us would continue the journey like Lincoln?
Many of the issues we think about today pale in comparison to what happened in the late 1850s and mid-1860s. Lincoln negotiated with the eleven southern states that seceded from the Union. Eleven states formed the Confederate States of America during his presidency.
Americans may think that there are divisions in our country today. There was a huge division during the Civil War. Americans were literally dying on both sides of the war: North and South.
There were several key challenges Lincoln faced as American President:
1) Lincoln was president during the American Civil War, which lasted four years
About five weeks after Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States, the American Civil War began. Lincoln was president when the country was literally falling apart.
There can be division between families. Unfortunately, some family members can go years without speaking to each other. Are the problems in families really that bad compared to the turmoil during the civil war? Some families were so divided by the war that one son could fight for the North while another son from the same family fought for the South.
2) Most American casualties occurred during the Lincoln administration
Between 600,000 and 700,000 Americans died in the Civil War. The casualties of the American Civil War exceed the losses of the United States in all of its other wars from the American Revolution to the present.
Do any of us think we have such a huge responsibility? Lincoln had the unsurpassed responsibility of having the most American casualties during his presidency. More Americans died of war during Lincoln's presidency than all other American presidents combined.
3) Lincoln suffered from depression
living in the nineteenth century, Lincoln did not have access to prescription antidepressants like Prozac, nor could he go to a drugstore.
Lincoln never had the luxury of access to modern treatment. Lincoln's job was to deal with a country that was divided by war. Sometimes your problems can seem as monumental as Lincoln's struggles, mainly because you are the one currently enduring the particular problem. Each of us has common and unique problems. Can you imagine not being as fortunate and having limited access to treatment as Lincoln? Fortunately, we have the luxury of modern medicine.
4) Lincoln was assassinated
The North, the Union, defeated the South, the Confederacy. The South surrendered to the North on April 9, 1865. Lincoln was assassinated five days after the Civil War ended, dying the morning after being shot.
Do you think you feel underappreciated for the work you've done? Lincoln united his country as president, issued the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery, inspired many people who suffered from the depression, was one of the kindest and most benevolent presidents our nation has ever had, and what thanks did he receive? Was killed.
Lincoln was a leader many times. He kept America together, so we could still be called "The United States of America". He led by example. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln said he wanted "malice to none" and wanted to "bind up the nation's wounds." Unfortunately, Lincoln never saw any of his efforts and results come to fruition. The United States owes Lincoln a huge debt.
Like Lincoln, each of us has overcome adversity and achieved greatness in our own way. You may not remember some of the obstacles you overcame, such as learning to walk or talk. There are challenges that you have overcome that you probably remember very well, such as completing a project, winning a race, graduating from school, or establishing a career. Each of you has great potential, like Abe Lincoln. It is up to you to find greatness within yourself.
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