It is difficult to over-estimate the contribution of Abraham Lincoln to strengthening of foundation of American democracy. For all, even for his worst enemies, Southern democrats, he remained honest, “kind Abe”, for millions of the unfettered American Negroes he remained “dad Abraham”, who saved their lives. He is interesting for us as an integral nature, as a man who said about himself: “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward” (Leadership University); as a personality who was able not to stain his good name and image with sinful, unjust and incorrect actions during his not long career age on the political Olympus. And finally, this man was happy, and that is why the aphorism of the most famous president of the USA is very relevant: “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be” (Leadership University).
Speaking about one of Lincoln’s contributions it is hardly ever possible not to underline the abolition of slavery. Emancipation from slavery was nominally done in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, and actually it was the13th amendment to the Constitution of the USA, which was accepted in 1865.
Slavery occupied a considerable place in Lincoln’s consciousness. His uncle and uncle’s father had slaves, as they supported that idea, while his father being a convinced Baptist had the opposite point of view. He resolutely rejected slavery not only according to his ethic and moral reasons, but he was also a simple worker, he felt on his own back what the hard slave’s work meant.
But at the same time Lincoln as the majority of Whig politicians, Lincoln was a bit restrained in the question of slavery. No doubt, slavery was in the center of a fight between North and South, but it was not the only reason of war. Economic, political, ideological and cultural factors were associated in the knot of problems, which could not be freed with the help of agreements and compromises.
As far as development of events changed day by day, a moderate enough, compromise Lincoln’s position changed regarding to the question of slavery. The main goal of the administration was to renew the Union, not to let it fall into pieces, but it appeared to be inconceivable without elimination of slavery in the scales of the whole country. Lincoln came up to the realization of this fact not at once. It was that time when he said: “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Quotes of Abraham Lincoln), meaning that it is vitally necessary to decide the questions of country’s unity and slavery together.
Being a civil man, President Lincoln was exposed to pressure from all sides, criticism for soldiery defeats and economic difficulties, but he took a decisive step in a turning-point moment for suppression of the revolt. Lincoln advocated for gradual liberation of slaves on compensative footing, but the time came, when he understood that slavery must die in the sake of nation’s live. On the 22nd of Septembers 1862 Abraham Lincoln declared that beginning from January, 1 of the future year all the slaves from now and forever could become free, and on December, 30 he signed “Leaflet about liberation”. On the 19-th of November 1863 on the opening of military cemetery, he declared that lying here soldiers had given their lives for the sake of birth of people’s freedom.