Biographical Information |
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Timeline: Journey through Lincoln's Personal Life
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The Google Map traces many of the key events of his personal life leading to his election as the 16th President of the United States of America. By clicking on each pin location, you can quickly identify what was going on in his life in that particular year.
Use this tool to think about historical context while reviewing primary or secondary sources. 1809 - Lincoln is born on Sinking Spring Farm in Kentucky 1816 - Lincoln's family moves to Indiana 1830 - He leaves his family and settles near the Sangamon River 1832 - He serves in the Black Hawk War 1835 - He meets Ann Rutledge who later dies 1838 - Lincoln moves to Springfield, Illinois 1840 - He meets Mary Todd and they marry in 1842 1846 - He moves to Washington D.C. - serves in U.S. Congress 1850 - Eddie dies and Willie is born 1853 - Tad is born 1860 - Becomes 16th President of United States 1864 - Re-elected for second term 1865 - Lincoln is assassinated and Willie dies 1871 - Tad dies 1882 - Mary Todd dies 1926 - Robert, his first son, dies |
Timeline: Journey through Key Political Events (1840 - 1870)
Sources: "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald and "The Radical and the Republican" by James Oakes
Abraham Lincoln:
1832 - First Campaign Statement Lincoln delivers his first political speech when he campaigns for the State Assembly of Illinois at the young age of 23. He publishes the speech in a local newspaper. 1834 - Serves first term as a state legislator Lincoln wins the local election in 1834 and serves his first term within the Whig Party. He begins studying law. 1836 - Re-elected to State Assembly - Illinois Lincoln works to move the state capital to Springfield, Illinois. He makes a statement that blacks should not be entitled to voting rights. 1837 - Stone and Lincoln Protest Both legislators protest resolutions condemning abolitionist movements in the North stating that the institution of slavery is founded on injustice 1838 - Lincoln is re-elected as state legislator He moves to Springfield and opens a law practice with state legislator, John Stuart. He focuses on an "internal improvements" plan and a state bank during his legislative term. 1838 - Lyceum Address Lincoln gives an address warning of the dangers of "social disorder" and ignores public statements on the murder of Lovejoy, an abolitionist and editor. Slavery is starting to become a divisive issue. 1840 - Lincoln supports Henry Clay presidential campaign Lincoln works hard as a party leader to strengthen the Whig party and completes one more legislative term. He starts writing for the Sangamo Journal. 1844 - Lincoln goes into partnership with Herndon Lincoln takes on cases involving slave issues, but represents both sides. He supports Henry Clay in the presidential elections and his "containment" policies on slavery. 1847 - Lincoln runs for Congress and serves one term Lincoln serves one term in Congress and goes to Washington, D.C. His opposition to the Mexican War works against him . 1848 - Whig candidate Taylor wins the Presidency Lincoln supports General Taylor as Whig candidate during the presidential elections of 1848 elections which he wins. He works to form a strong anti-slavery platform for the Whig party. He opposes the extension of slavery without interference of the existing institution in the South viewing it as unconstitutional. He drafts a proposal for compensated emancipation in the capital to end the debates over slavery which is rejected. 1849 - Lincoln returns to private life Lincoln's influence on the Taylor administration is weak. He returns to his private law practice representing railroad interests until 1854. 1852 - Eulogy on Henry Clay Lincoln gives a eulogy speech at Whig politician, Clay's funeral. He emphasizes Clay's position on the containment of slavery and endorses his colonization efforts. He plays a role in the 1852 Presidential elections supporting Winfield Scott, the Whig nominee who loses to Pierce. 1854 - Kansas - Nebraska Act Stephen Douglas introduces a bill based on "popular sovereignty" to address slavery in Nebraska which repeals the Missouri Compromise of 1850. This event fuels his return to public life arguing that the bill attempts to extend slavery. 1854 - Lincoln speaks against Kansas-Nebraska Act Lincoln gives public speeches in Illinois opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and states that "there could be no moral right to slavery, which was founded in the selfishness of man's nature". He refers to "all men are created equal" from Declaration of Independence. 1855 - Runs for Congress and loses Lincoln runs for Congress in Illinois using the support of the anti-Nebraska coalition and is defeated by Democrat, Trumbull. Lincoln begins to wonder if the nation can continue half-slave and half-free. Bleeding Kansas violence breaks out. 1856 - Republican Party is formed by Lincoln Lincoln brings together a committee and writes up a party platform presented to 270 delegates who meet in Bloomington to announce the new party. He identifies slavery as the cause of the nation's problems. John Fremont is chosen as the first Presidential nominee, but loses against Democrat, Buchanan. 1857 - Dred Scott case The Supreme Court landmark case holds that a negro can not be a citizen. Judge Taney is the presiding justice and Lincoln is alarmed at the court's interpretation of the Constitution. 1858 - Lincoln / Douglas debates Lincoln engages in seven debates with Stephen Douglas on the issues of slavery. His House Divided speech is delivered and he presents the charge that Douglas is part of a plan to nationalize slavery. The speeches bring him national recognition. He expresses his opposition against slavery in federal territories. Although he loses the senate race to Douglas, he states that "the cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered..." 1859 - John Brown's Raid on Harper Ferry John Brown, a white abolitionist, attempts to start a slave rebellion by raiding a federal arsenal and is killed. Lincoln denounces it as illegal and a futile attempt to extinguish slavery. Lincoln gives his "Cooper Union" speech stressing conservatism. 1860 - Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the U.S. Lincoln wins the election as the Republican nominee against Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. The Southern states begin to secede from the Union. 1860 - Secession After Lincoln's election, 7 states secede from the Union and later 4 more states join the Confederacy with Jefferson Davis as President. 1861 - The Confederates attack Fort Sumter Confederate artillery open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. This marks the beginning of the Civil War. Lincoln's commitment to maintaining the Union is absolute. He states the only substantial dispute is slavery and its extension. 1861 - 1st Confiscation Act Congress authorizes the Union to seize rebel property 1862 - 2nd Confiscation Act Congress authorizes Union military to free slaves in the Confederacy and actively enlist them. 1862 - First Draft of Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln starts to see emancipation as a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the government. 1862 - Lincoln meets with black leaders Lincoln meets with a delegation of black religious leaders to propose a plan for colonization to Chiriqui, Central America. Republican Radicals push for emancipation. 1863 - Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln issues the Proclamation freeing all slaves in the Confederacy after a victory in Antietam and authorizes the enlistment of black soldiers in the Union army. Lincoln meets with Douglass to discuss enlistment efforts. This marks a turning point towards social equality instead of the colonization of blacks. 1863 - Gettysburg Address Lincoln gives a speech at the dedication to the Gettysburg Cemetery. He outlines the causes of the war and the conditions of peace in the speech. 1863 - First meeting with Douglass Douglass requests equal pay and protection when taken as prisoners for all black regiments. 1864 - Second meeting with Douglass Lincoln encourages Southern slaves to escape and enlist before peace agreements ensue. 1864 - Lincoln is re-elected to 2nd term Lincoln begins his 2nd term as President and wins the war 1865 - Lincoln's assassination Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford's Theatre |
Frederick Douglass:
1838 - Escapes slavery Frederick Douglass escapes from Thomas Auld's plantation in Baltimore, Maryland and ends up in New Bedford, MA. 1839 - Liberty Party forms Dedicated to the legal overthrow of slavery. Garret Smith is the leader. 1841 - Joins Anti-Slavery Society Douglass meets William Lloyd Garrison, editor of the anti-slavery publication "The Liberator" and gives a speech at a conference in Nantucket Island. He is asked to join the abolitionist movement as an agent. 1845 - Douglass writes "Narrative ... Frederick Douglass" The autobiography exposes the brutalizing effects of slavery. He leaves for England to escape recapture. 1847 - Creates "The North Star" publication Douglass uses his weekly newspaper to promote anti-slavery and the abolitionist cause. 1851 - Becomes involved with Liberty Party Douglass moves away from Garrisonian ideas to support abolitionists like Garett Smith who view the Constitution as an anti-slavery document. 1852 - 4th of July Oration Gives his famous "4th of July Oration" speech denouncing American ideals as hypocritical and excluding of blacks. 1858 - Meets John Brown Douglass begins interacting with John Brown, a white abolitionist, who is planning a secret slave rebellion in Virginia 1859 - John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry Douglass refuses to participate, but pronounces John Brown as a hero of the anti-slavery movement. Travels to England to escape persecution. 1863 - Celebrates Emancipation Proclamation Douglass joins abolitionist celebrations and begins assisting in the recruitment of black soldiers. He meets with Lincoln to discuss discrimination against black soldiers. 1863 - 1st Meeting with Lincoln Douglass meets with Lincoln to discuss equal pay and conditions for black soldiers. 1863 - Men of Color, To Arms Douglass delivers a speech in New York urging black Americans to enlist in the Union cause. 1864 - Invited to meet with Lincoln Lincoln urges Douglass to enlist blacks in the South before peace ensues. 1865 - Lincoln's 2nd Inauguration Address Douglass is the first black leader to attend an Inaugural Ball as an invited guest. 1865 - Memorial Address Douglass gives a memorial address at a meeting called by the black community after they are not allowed to participate in Lincoln's funeral procession. 1870 - 14th Amendment ratified - black suffrage Douglass is recognized at a celebration in Baltimore for his contributions. 1876 - Freedman Monument Speech Douglass gives a speech honoring Lincoln's achievements towards the abolishment of slavery. |
The closed reading video below discusses Henry Clay's influence on Lincoln as a young politician.
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