Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America. He was born Feburary 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. He lived on a farm and had a hard time getting an education. Even then he worked for an education. He married a girl named Mary Todd, which he had four boys with, but only one lived through their childhood. He served 2 terms in office, but was assassinated April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre by John Wilkes Booth. (WHITEHOUSE.GOV)

He had run For the Illinois legislature twice. The first time he had lost, in 1832. The second time he was elected to the lower house as a Whig, lasting for four terms. He became a lawyer in 1836, encouraged by John Todd Stuart. He built a successful practice, and at one point courted Mary Todd, whom he married on November 4, 1842. He served on term in the House from 1847 to 1849. He didn't run for a second term, instead went back to being a lawyer. He joined the newly formed Republican Party in 1856, which he later campaigned for Senate with. In 1860 he ran for president and (obviously) won. When he had his inagural speech on March 1861 seven states had already suceded. (AMESLAB.GOV)

The first of these states to suceed was South Carolina, followed by six other southern states. The first problem of his presidency was Fort Sumter, a union fort, in South Carolina. He was given a choice of withdrawing or resuppling the fort, he chose resuppling the fort. Before the relief party was sent he sent a message to the governer of South Carolina telling him about the supply party. The next day Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort. This started the civil war. The union had many problems in the chain of command until 1863, when a chain of events started that put Ulysses S. Grant as head of the union army. (BIOGRAPY.COM) The war continues until April 9, 1865, when General Robert E. Lee surrenders the confederate army to General Ulysses S. Grant. Lincoln is shot in the head at Ford's Theater on April 14, 1865. He dies the next day. (HISTORYPLACE.COM)

Lincoln has been critisized for breaking various laws for the welfare of all. He also has been accused of the expandment of the federal government and as the founder of the welfare state (not intended as a compliment.) The civil war he won has even been critisized for destroying the south's economy. There is little other critism of him and his presidency. (HISTORYNET.COM)

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