Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer and legislator, surprised many by winning the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1860. His election led to several Southern states seceding and the start of the Civil War. Despite expectations, Lincoln proved to be a skilled military strategist and leader, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and delivering the famous Gettysburg Address. He was assassinated in 1865, but his death made him a martyr for liberty and Union.
Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer and politician from Illinois, gained national recognition for his strong anti-slavery stance and surprisingly secured the Republican Party's presidential nomination by outwitting more prominent rivals.
