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What defines a great President and what does it mean to be “the greatest”? Through the course of American history there are names that stand out, names that represent more than just a person, but represent an era in American history. The list of important and influential figures is too long and numerous to list, yet there is always one name, one man who stands above all the rest. Abraham Lincoln has come to define the American experience.

First, a great President is considered to be a person who has had previous success in other offices they’ve held. That includes implementing policies which are expressed during the election and that are in the best interest of the people who have elected them. This is the foundation of Democracy in the United States and was clearly defined by Abraham Lincoln as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. During his presidency Lincoln never strayed from the principles he firmly believed in.

It can be said that Lincoln was directly responsible for the maintenance of the Union of the States, which he greatly believed, was essential to the American nation. He left the nation a more perfect union by making sure that Federal authority overrode the State sovereignty. He also changed the course of American history based on the introduction of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves within the Confederacy and also changed the civil war from a battle to preserve the Union, into a battle for freedom. Abraham Lincoln is also credited for the passing of the 13th amendment to the Constitution, which was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, and states “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

To be “the greatest” President requires more than just the achievements of office work alone. It also requires review, reasoning, and education on the personal man behind the role of Presidential leader. “If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am in height six feet, four inches, nearly; lean in flesh, weighing, on an average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark complexion, with course black hair, and grey eyes – no other marks or brands recollected.” Abraham Lincoln also said, “No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent.” Based on this quote, it is noted that Lincoln knew that the equality of the people is crucial to a sustaining government.

So after researching many presidents and their personal and presidential achievements Abraham Lincoln stood out as “the greatest”. He accomplished many things during his personal life as well as a President. He was able to maintain his religious beliefs; a functioning government, and implemented laws that changed the course of history, which I believe, put him over the top and made him an excellent president.