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How Did Abraham Lincoln Change America

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How Did Abraham Lincoln Change America
“The world has never had a good definition of the word liberty, and the American people, just now, are much in want of one. We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing.” Abraham Lincoln was born on February 14th, 1809 in a small town called Hodgenville, KY with a mission of equality. Abraham Lincoln changed Americans view on the decision toward slavery. Additionally, male slaves were captured in Africa, and forced from their native land leaving their wife and children behind. Likewise, if families were captured during this time, women and children were treated the same way. Slaves were then chained together by their legs, wrists, and around their throats, and forced to walk sometimes as much …show more content…
The country was split in half, the north wanted slavery to end and the south wanted to keep it. In the north there were some opportunities for the slave, he was considered free with some limitations. The slave could not vote, go to school, or marry outside of his race. In order to vote the slave needed to own some type of property. Unfortunately, the slave was stuck with ordinary jobs such as factory work, mechanic, and general laborer. These jobs were hard physical labor and paid very little. The slave could not save enough money to buy property, so he could vote. Furthermore, northern states believed slavery was wrong, but northerners had rules for blacks. If a salve worked in a factory or a company that promotes within, the salve would not get the opportunity to move up in the company because he was black. Before the slave was free, he worked on the farm; this covered the cost of room and board, and daily expenses. Now that the slave is free, he is able to try to make a life for himself, but most of the slaves could not make it, and went back to their original owners and worked on the farm. In the south there were no opportunities at all. Slaves would arrive at a plantation, and shown the main house first. Furthermore, this would show the slave a sense of power, and who was in charge. The slave’s house was built behind the main house near the woods, a smaller two room house with many slaves living inside. …show more content…
Local Indians under Chief Blackhawk tried to reclaim tribal homelands by force. Adventurous young men, including Lincoln rushed to volunteer. During the battle, militia men elected their own officers, and Lincoln's company overwhelmingly chose him as their captain. Sources say, Lincoln stated this gave him more comfort that any other success in life. Moreover, to have the esteem of his fellow soldiers, gave Lincoln an enormous ego boost. After the war was over, Lincoln purchased and old storage bin filled with Blackstone Law books. Lincoln the taught himself case law and soon became a judge in the state of Illinois. Over the next few years he became known as Honest Abe. Lincoln embodied integrity, honesty, and high Christen values. Lincoln had compassion for people, and generally cared, and the people knew it. Over the next few years, Lincoln spent his time studying the slavery issue. Likewise, when the Kansas/Nebraska Law act of 1854 passed, Honest Abe felt compelled to take action and enter the political arena. In 1854 he was elected to the state office. Over the next few years Lincoln demonstrated a shared vision of the future, his love for God, and his country. Including, running for president and winning the presidency in 1860. During this time President Lincoln worked on driving an end to slavery, and defeating the South, during the Civil

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