Abraham Lincoln

How do you start a Abraham Lincoln term paper? Our expert writers suggest like this:

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) possessed a philosophy that remains a controversial and elusive Abraham Lincoln for many people. The interest in Lincoln's philosophy exist because he was a man that appeared to be of great and strong moral conviction and was also a man of great accomplishments and mystery. And finally, Lincoln's philosophy remains to many, an enigma, in that he made it a point to guard his true beliefs, while at the same time, possessing a way with words concerning philosophical and ethical matters that left one with something of a riddle. Some argue that Lincoln's philosophy was fatalism. However, his life during the Presidency years indicate that his philosophy evolved from fatalism into determinism.

Abraham Lincoln's Biography

Lincoln's philosophy was unlike many in his day in that he did not hinge it around conventional Christianity. Although he read much and loved debates, plays, and the ideas of others, he remained a man who liked to think for himself. In part, Lincoln's philosophy was a direct product of his background.

The fact that "... Lincoln grew up in a poor dirt-farming family in the upper South and lower Midwest without privilege, position, or much formal education" in an era where people lived off the land, must have molded his early ideology to a great deal. For Lincoln's contemporaries, death was a reality that often came suddenly and early.

Combine the mind-set that came with reality on the American frontier with a life-long deep passion for William Shakespeare's tragedies, and one might safely subscribe Lincoln to the closely related philosophies of fatalism or determinism.

Topic Suggestion on Abraham Lincoln

What makes Lincoln a great historical figure is history's portrayal of him accomplishing things against the odds. Though Lincoln had no formal education and did not come from a family that was affluent in any regard, Lincoln educated himself and became a distinguished lawyer, a member of the Illinois State legislator, then Congressman, and finally President. One with a purely fatalistic philosophy would have concluded all is vanity and not fought the odds as well as Lincoln did.

Read speeches given by Abraham Lincoln. use quotes to answer the following question. Be sure to support your general statements with supporting specifics. Write carefully because mechanics count in most research papers. Answer the following concerning his words:

• According to Abraham Lincoln what factors caused the civil war? Support his thesis with his own words
• To what extent were these causes addressed and resolved by the War and Reconstruction? You should assume that at least some of these causes were not thoroughly addressed and resolved.
• Investigate Abraham Lincoln's intense need to be involved in tactical decisions when it came to the Battles in the Civil War. Early on in the war, many Union Generals weren't too happy with him being involved, but Lincoln insisted.