ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809–1865). Sixteenth president of the United States. Photographed by Alexander Gardner at Washington, D.C., on November 8, 1863, eleven days before delivering the Gettysburg Address. (Photograph with oil paint colorization.)

This lesson traces the rise of Abraham Lincoln from his humble beginnings to the presidency of the United States. It also examines Lincoln’s ideas and decisions regarding slavery and the use of presidential power to preserve the Federal Union during the Civil War.

When you have completed this lesson, you should be able to explain how Abraham Lincoln overcame daunting disadvantages to become a great president. You should be able to analyze and evaluate President Lincoln’s decisions in response to critical constitutional issues of the Civil War. And you should understand and appreciate Lincoln’s enduring legacy to American constitutionalism and citizenship.  >