Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. A self-made man, he rose to prominence through his political skills and his eloquent speeches. He is widely considered one of America’s greatest presidents and was known for his eloquent speeches, his wit and sense of humor, and his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War.
Lincoln was born in Kentucky but grew up on the western frontier in Kentucky and Indiana.
He held office from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. His presidency was dominated by civil war but also saw important achievements including an expansion of suffrage to all men (including blacks), an end to slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment (1865), and preservation of American neutrality following European wars.
His primary goal as president was to preserve the Union by bringing about an end to slavery through legal means (such as constitutional amendments). To accomplish this goal, Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and issued an Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in Confederate states; oversaw passage of major legislation such as Homestead Act (which gave people land), Morrill Tariff (which protected American industry), and Pacific Railroad Act (which built transcontinental railroads).
