The election of Abraham Lincoln was a pivotal moment in American history. In 1860, Lincoln was elected president with 180 electoral votes to Douglas’ 12. He was a member of the Republican Party, and he ran against Democratic candidate Stephen Douglas. In his inaugural address, he stated: “We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies.”
The American Civil War began shortly after Lincoln’s election, and he served as president through some of the most trying times in American history, including but not limited to: his assassination; slavery; and the opening of territories westward (including Alaska). He is often considered one of the greatest presidents in American history, due to his role in ending slavery and preserving our union as one nation under God. His legacy includes ending slavery while preserving the Union; preserving individual liberties while preserving national unity; unifying a nation divided by war; achieving military victory against great odds.
Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C., where he died later that night from blood loss due to a gunshot wound to his head.
