Leadership Lessons from Abraham Lincoln

Student Name
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S)
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

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Introduction
Abraham Lincoln, born on 12th February 1809 in Kentucky US died on 15th April
1865 in Washington D.C. Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the US who well-maintained
a Union during the American Civil War besides liberalizing slaves. Lincoln was a self-taught
lawyer, a vocal adversary of slavery and a legislator. In American history, he is regarded as a
savvy leader and a smart military strategist. His Liberalization proclamation made slavery
abolished and the Gettysburg Address became one of the most famous oratory in the US.
Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 April by John Wilkes Booth and Lincoln’s death instantly
made him a martyr (History.com). Now, he is recognized as one of the greatest presidents
America ever had in history.
Historical background
In 1830, Lincoln's family moved to southern Illinois where he got himself a job in a
flatboat haul carrying freight from New Orleans through Mississippi River. After settling
himself in New Salem, he worked as a postmaster and a shopkeeper while getting involved
with politics to support Whig Party who won the election in 1834. Lincoln, from starting days
in politics, faced extraordinary pressures, especially during the Civil War. Despite many
generals showed no consideration to fight against assassination threats and those who
bickered his cabinet members, Lincoln showed braveness and did not give up due to the
arising issues in his party. He fought till the Confederacy got defeated. The Emancipation
Proclamation too was not easy and did not free slaves at once as it only applied to those
territories that were out of Lincoln's control. It was after the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865
which made all the slaves free and though Lincoln proved to be a strong supporter and a great
reason behind the amendment, he was assassinated before the law was enacted (Current).