Abraham Lincoln As A Leader

Lincoln’s Legacy

The Leader Who Made a Difference

Lincoln as a Leader

‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ These were the exact words Abraham Lincoln used to address the rampant issue of slavery while running for a place in the U.S. Senate. He lost that ‘battle’ but this lawyer strived on to win the ‘war’, becoming the 16^th President of the United States of America. A president revered and adored by the American people and the world.

            What had made Lincoln, a poor boy from the wilds of Kentucky, a struggling lawyer and a self-educated politician, stand out from the rest and help the nation survive its darkest hour, the Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States of America

                                      

            Abraham Lincoln wanted to make a difference. He was an individual who wanted to make the nation a better place to live in. America was divided over slavery. Generally, the North fought for the abolishment of slavery while the South opposed the idea for economic reasons. Lincoln, one of the abolitionists, had voiced out his opinion publicly against slavery. He was an individual who wanted to make an impact, a difference and he was not that preoccupied about the people’s perceptions about him. He believed in himself and his vision for the country. This is the mark of a true leader.

            Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President when the nation was experiencing turmoil, the Civil War. The issue of slavery had reached the boiling point and erupted into a war, a catastrophe that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and threatened to split the nation into two. Before the Civil War broke out, Lincoln had elected his rivals from the presidential election as his cabinet members. Lincoln’s exceptional leadership skills shone here. By doing so, Lincoln has assembled a cabinet membered by the best people in the country. ‘Team of Rivals’ is a brilliant example of Lincoln putting the nation’s interest above his own.

Team of Rivals

            The Civil War was having a devastating toll on Lincoln. He only wanted to achieve several goals. To end the war. To abolish slavery. To preserve the Union. Some of the ways of doing so included the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves in the Union. Lincoln wanted to bring the war to an end so that the Union will be preserved and the nation will begin the healing process. One great example is Lincoln’s effort to restore ties with the South after the war ended in an attempt to make them feel part of the country again. Lincoln had asked for the Dixie song, which was the South’s favourite song, to be played as a way of restoring the ‘broken’ bridge between North and South. Great leaders never condemn the losing side. Instead, they will work on repairing relations and adopt a 'malice towards none' policy. Lincoln did this.

            Lincoln was also famous and respected by for his speeches. Always meaningful and with the nation’s interest above everything else, Lincoln’s speeches have inspired and motivated the nation throughout the tough times. The Gettysburg Address was one such speech. This speech, which remains one of the most powerful speeches in American history, was addressed by Lincoln at Gettysburg. With only 272 words, Lincoln had managed to motivate and bolster the army’s morality up. A leader has to be persuasive and inspire people or motivate when they are down. At the same time, they have to be concise and straight to th point. People adore leaders like that. Leaders like Abraham Lincoln.

The Gettysburg Address

           Abraham Lincoln. A leader. An icon. A national hero. Sadly, on April 14, 1865,  Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. John Wilkes Booth fired at Lincoln's head from close range. The president passed away the following day. The nation was in shock. Everyone grieved for Lincoln. Even those who disagreed with him or was angry with him mourned. Flags were lowered to half-mast. Black cloth draped buildings. People across America wore badges of mourning pinned to their clothes. 12 funerals were held before Lincoln was put to rest in the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois. Memorials like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C were erected. And to quote Secretary of War Stanton, ‘Now he belongs to the ages.’

Lincoln Memorial

            ‘A government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ Abraham Lincoln was truly an exceptional leader, adored by his supporters while at the same time, earning the respects from his rivals who had gone on to admire him and his leadership skills. He believed in the strength of the Union. He believed in America. He believed in the Declaration of Independence that stated, “All Men are created equal.” He was an individual who wanted to change the world for the better. An individual who wanted to make things happen! Truly, Abraham Lincoln, a leader who made a difference!