Abraham Lincoln's Lessons for Barack Obama and Future Presidents

Many more but let's focus on the few that have caused the most trouble.

The civil war was never all about freeing the black race though it was one factor among many that brought it on. Lincoln sent the federal troops to prevent the south from seceeding. His ONLY objective for the war was to "preserve the union" - at the expense of ripping a divide among the people that would never completely heal. Union troops initiated the first battle as they marched on the south. A battle that they lost dearly and, had the confederate troops chosen to pursue them, quite likely would have taken washington and ended the war right then. This is why the south called it "the war of northern aggression".

Lincoln had made the statement,and had written letters, to the effect that if reversing the abolition of slavery would avert, or end, the war he would do so. These letters and other documents are/were in our national archives as well as certain plans and agreements to send former slaves back to africa and to south america to form a new nation there. Had He lived to accomplish this the only former slaves left here would have been the ones who really wanted to be here and I think that we would be facing a completely different,stable attitude between blacks and whites.

The south was already moving toward freeing the slaves. Some plantations had begun to free them and sharecrop the land already. Admittedly this was a business decision and not humanitarian but it was a move in the right direction. They were providing an interim focus on the way to the total end of slavery. Instead, they recieved total freedom with no plan for their education to provide for themselves.

Most southerners did not own slaves. It was primarily the plantation owners and many of those did treat the slaves quite badly but things were changing. Let's not forget that the north also owned slaves but the industrial focus and the harder winters made it unprofitable for them so it was no big deal for them to give up their houseslaves.

It is pure conjecture, but in my research to find out what went wrong I think that the north was actually a little jealous of the south. I do know that racism was rampant in the north. They had the same "no blacks allowed" signs as the south, seperate restrooms and drinking fountains...etc.

No, the war was about increasing federal government control which is the same objective they have today. I am NOT anti government! I think we have the greatest form of gov't in the world but it is being managed very badly. Those who framed our constitution knew that if people were left alone with only a few guiding principles they would work things out among themselves. Now the gov't is so entwined in our lives that we are like the borg of the old star trek series with mechanical devices attached and mingled with our own body systems taking us over and completly controlling our actions. Any evidence of free will results in system shut down. wait for it!!!

js of FL 9:50AM August 01, 2009

i think obama is doin a good job with his promises he has.

lesly of IL 8:44PM February 17, 2009

How does one learn lessons in life from history? Lincolns birthday is an excellent place to start the process. President Obama is learning as we are we the challenges of America and the world. Our economic probles are due to poor management. Our leaders failed us for numerous reasons. War was not the answer to 911.

What we need is solid thinking on the fundamentals of life. Lincoln must have learn this skill in the backwoods. He made the right adjusyments at the proper time. We must all act responsibily durring these unpresidented times jusy like Lincoln.

Lee of IL 10:41AM February 12, 2009

I think obama is doind a really good job, I hope he stick to his word cause I have a lot of faith in him.

smiley face of IL 11:04PM February 10, 2009