Abraham Lincoln performing a speech. (http://www.abrahamlincolns.com/abraham-lincolns-pictures-photos.php)

"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved--I do not expect the house to fall--but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other” (Gale Student Resources). These powerful words were spoken by the truly great man, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was a simple man with the common dream for success, although his dreams were much different goals than the common person. These goals led him not only to become the President of the United States and act as the glue of the nation during the Civil War, but he would ultimately outlaw slavery as well. His ability and perseverance to hold together the cumbersome North and South, and abolish something as rooted in society as slavery, proves all his qualities as a great American hero.

Abraham Lincoln participated in the Civil War as (http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/photo_credits_content.asp?photoID=333)

Abraham Lincoln accomplished the amazing feat of reuniting the country after the numerous years of Civil War, all by the strength of his hope and determination. Lincoln, both during and after the war, was always "urging a gentle hand toward southerners in the postwar world. Lincoln made his last public speech on April 11 regarding reconstruction of the nation (Worldbook Student)". This outreach toward the south, especially during times of war, was a difficult and unusual thing to do. Most people of power would simply smite the South after the South surrendered. Lincoln handled it differently, though. He urged the "reconstruction of the nation" to rebuild the divided country, and shape it into one again. He also saw the grave consequences for both halves of the country if they were not to be reunited: "Lincoln felt that the breakup of the American nation would be a tragedy. Not only Americans, but ultimately all people, would suffer. To him, the United States represented an experiment in people's ability to govern themselves. Lincoln regarded the fate of world democracy as the central issue of the civil war” (Worldbook Student) Lincoln knew what was at stake during the Civil War, and everything that was and would be influenced by it. So he put all of his efforts and power into grasping the shred of America known as the Confederacy. And because of all of his efforts, knowledge, and wisdom, Lincoln was able to piece back together the hopes of a nation united under democracy. Through all of his trials, Lincoln's will for success and determination gave him the ability to recreate the United States of America, and maintain a rightfully earned democracy.

The Lincoln Memorial where Abraham Lincoln is now (http://blog.holyfamilysisters.org/2010/02/01/national-freedom-day-2010/)

In the thick of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln hatched a plan. He found a way to accomplish it through his cunning and cleverness. This plan as big as the Civil War itself that would that would flip the country upside down: the liberation of the captive slaves. In Abraham Lincoln's speech "A House Divided", Lincoln addresses the error the Constitution made when he declared "that no negro slave, imported as such from Africa, and no descendant of such slave, can ever be a citizen of any State, in the sense of the term as used in the Constitution of the United States. This point it made to deprive the negro, in every possible event, of benefit of that provision of the United Sates Constitution which declares that citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities in the several states” (Gale Student Resources). Lincoln notes the lapse of equality and righteousness and argues them directly in his speech. This speech, still regarded today, was circulated widely, grabbing the nation's attention and got it thinking about equality and rights, and who they were failed to be given to. He pushed for slaves rights, and rallied for equality. Eventually, Lincoln announced publicly that one of the goals of the Civil War was to abolish slavery. "From the beginning, the North's goal as proclaimed by Lincoln was the restoration of the union, but with the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1863, Lincoln added to the war's goals to end slavery” (Kelle S. Sisung and Gerda-Ann Raffaelle). Lincoln came to the quick realization that the United States had some fatal flaws he needed to correct in society. He dealt with activists and supporters after issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and was able to rid all areas affected by war of slavery, and work to change the views of slavery. Lincoln's insight and aspiration for a better nation and world resulted in the amazing feat of the termination of slavery in America.

Abraham Lincoln giving a speech (http://history.howstuffworks.com/gettysburg-address.htm)

When the daunting hardships were at their worst, many men would turn away. Lincoln demonstrated courage and hope when all seemed lost and unalterable, and gave him the strength to accomplish some of the hardest goals ever set: to recreate the United States of America after Civil War and obliterate slavery. Lincoln merged the two territories that balked at ever reuniting. Not only that, he also uprooted the weed of slavery from the budding United States, a growing pestilence since the very beginnings of America. Only a person of unmatched perseverance and hope could manage such staggering accomplishments, and these qualities are possessed by only the most strong of heart. The ability to maintain a strong, convinced heart is no easy task, and is mastered through years upon years of learning and experience. These traits are only possessed by a real hero. Because everyone needs a powerful heart to follow and to cling to, society was blessed to have Abraham Lincoln as its hero.

Works Consulted

Holzer, Harold. "Emancipation Proclamation." World Book Advanced. World Book,2010. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.

“Lincoln, Abraham." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web.17 Mar. 2010.

Lincoln." Presidential Administration Profiles for Students. Ed. Kelle S. Sisung and Gerda-Ann Raffaelle. Detroit: Gale Group, 2003. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2010.

United States. Abraham Lincoln. White House, Print. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln