Abraham Lincoln Legacy Essay

From the very beginning, President Lincoln was faced with an insurmountable challenge. The nation he now ruled over, the United States of America, was thrust into civil conflict a mere month after his inauguration on March fourth, eighteen sixty-one. However, he handled the situation unbelievable well, greatly due to his acceptance of the fact of war, as he knew it would be the only way to eventually completely preserve the Union (Stone 44). To this day, Abraham Lincoln has become a lasting historical legacy not only for his presidential and political occupations but also for his outstanding and unexpected contributions and leadership during the American Civil War. All throughout the conflict, President Lincoln stood firm to his war plan of reuniting “moderate elements in the country in a just, harmonious restoration of the Union,” (Donald
Furthermore, many political leaders tried to convince Lincoln that emancipation was necessary in the beginning of the war, but he refused, claiming it was “too far in advance of public opinion,” (314). Not only does this show extreme good judgement of the president, but also showcases his patience in the critical situation and his ability to be confident in his decisions, key characteristics of a powerful leader. According to Phillip Stone, Abraham Lincoln’s “invaluable, visionary, courageous, and tenacious leadership” was what ultimately allowed the preservation of the Union during the Civil War (52). Without the leadership of President Lincoln, the United States would not have experienced or realized the true importance of a continuous-yet stretched at times-sense of unity throughout the war, and impacts of the uproar likely would have been much more harmful and