Questions and Answers
What was Abraham Lincoln's primary goal during the Civil War?
Which significant document did Lincoln issue in 1863?
In what year did Abraham Lincoln become a lawyer?
What event marked the beginning of the Civil War?
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How old was Abraham Lincoln when his mother passed away?
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Which speech led to Lincoln gaining national attention for his stance against slavery?
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What was significant about Lincoln's election in 1860?
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Who assassinated Abraham Lincoln?
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Study Notes
Early Life and Education
- Born in 1809 in northern Kentucky, during the era of the western frontier.
- Family faced hardship when Abraham was seven; his father lost his land.
- Relocated to Indiana after the land loss; his mother died when he was nine.
- Continued moving, eventually settling in Illinois where he had minimal formal education.
- Developed a love for reading, self-educating, particularly through law books.
Professional and Political Career
- Became a lawyer in 1837 in Springfield, Illinois, after studying law independently.
- Early political career included service in the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Gained national recognition for eloquent speeches against slavery during notable debates.
Presidential Election and Civil War
- Nominated for presidency and won the election in 1860, causing tension with Southern states.
- Seven Southern states seceded from the Union following his election and formed a new government.
- The Civil War began in 1861 with the attack on Fort Sumter by South Carolina troops.
Leadership During the Civil War
- Focused on reuniting the North (Union) and South (Confederacy) amid the war.
- Acted as commander-in-chief, selecting Union generals to lead the army.
- Issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared freedom for slaves in Confederate-held territory.
Legacy and Assassination
- Reelected in 1864 amid ongoing conflict, ultimately leading the Union to victory in April 1865.
- Achieved goal of reunifying the country but was assassinated six days after the war's end on April 15, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth.
- First American president to be assassinated, leaving a significant legacy as one of the greatest U.S. presidents.
- Remembered for his wisdom, compassion, and patriotism during the most challenging period in American history.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the early life of Abraham Lincoln, exploring his childhood in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Learn about his family's struggles, his mother's death, and his self-education. Discover how these experiences shaped the future president of the United States.
