The movie Lincoln is an American historic film, made in 2012, that covers the final four months of Lincoln’s life in politics. It shines a light on the Presidents effort to have the thirteenth amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the United States House of Representatives. This movie was highly relatable to what we have been learning and class. The movie contains instructional value, not only in history, but also in general politics. It shows the art of presidency along with the practice of politics. Although Lincoln does a great job of portraying history, it is not one hundred percent accurate. Most of the film is accurate with history although it is dramatized for a better viewing experience. As far as politics go though it does an amazing job of showing how the court system worked in the time of 1865. The main focus of the film is to show, from Lincoln’s perspective, the process and steps he had to take in order to get this Amendment passed. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
Daniel Day Lewis is Abraham Lincoln in the movie. This was a good choice of character for Lincoln because he matched the historic representation of Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is known to be tall with an awkward slouched posture and in the movie Lincoln was greatly depicted that way.
The movie begins 1865. Everyone was expecting the war to end within a month, which concerned Lincoln with regards to the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment. He was concerned that the courts would discard the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the returning slave states would then defeat the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment regarding slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation was an order that was issued to all sections of the Executive Branch. It proclaimed all those enslaved in Confederate territory to be forever free, and ordered the Army (and all segments of the Executive branch) to treat as free all those enslaved in ten states that were still in rebellion. This Proclamation did not defeat slavery, it only postponed it until the war ended and the Thirteenth Amendment was passed. In class we talked about what powers the president has and does not have. We also talked about the steps it takes to pass a law. The Emancipation Proclamation was not a law and therefor, just as we learned in class, it did not need to be passed by congress because it was an order based of the presidents constitutional authority as a commander and chief. Lincoln wanted to pass the Thirteenth Amendment before January so he could be sure that the slaves that were freed because of the Emancipation Proclamation were not re-enslaved when the war ended. In the movie we can see Lincolns fear of the Amendment not being passed soon and because of the postponing of the passing of the Amendment, he feared it would not be passed. Lincoln along with several radicals during this time feared that they would also not be able to gain enough votes. At this point in the movie we can clearly relate what we learned in class about passing an amendment to the problem of not having enough votes. We learned in class that in article V its says in order to pass an amendment we need to have 2/3 of each house and senate to approve the proposal and send it to the states for a vote. After it is sent to the state for a vote then you need to have ¾ of the states to affirm the amendment and in the movie they feared that would not happen. They needed support from the Republicans on the Border States to be assured and even then they still needed several Democratic votes. In the movie we see that Lincolns advisors did not agree with his plan and suggested that he wait to try to pass the amendment. They continuously had long conversations about postponing the amendment in Lincoln’s office, although Lincoln stood strong to passing the Amendment before the war ended.
Jovany Morales January 23, 2012 Period 2 Kalayjian Historical Research Essay: Abraham Lincoln- Emancipation Proclamation As the glowing sun set over the bloody fields of Antietam, the Civil War became a different War. Five days after the battle at Antietam was won, armed with pen and paper, Abraham Lincoln changed the war when he issued, one of the most important and controversial documents in America history, the Emancipation Proclamation. Congress and the northern states were urging…
Abraham Lincoln Lincoln Herbst 4/22/2015 Mrs.Tupmann English8 Many people have made conversation over Lincoln’s death disputing on if Booth and his followers had plotted to commit the horrendous crime or if Booth acted alone. Many historians believe that Booth was not alone however, due to the notes that were found on his dead body and just the plain hate of the remaining confederate sympathizers that assisted Booth throughout his entire plan. I personally believe…
Today he is known as one of the greatest American presidents, but at the time of his election no one would have predicted Lincoln's success. On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the sixteenth president of the United States. The outcome of the election directly led to the secession of seven states and ultimately, the Civil War. During his presidency he dealt with the cohesiveness of the Union and slavery. As a political leader, Lincoln's views about slavery changed as he had to worry…
Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was born dirt-poor in 1809 in Kentucky. Abraham grew up on the farm with his family on the frontier of Kentucky and Indiana. He began to help his father with the farm work as soon as he was old enough. Because of all his farm work he only attended school for less than a year, but taught himself to read and write. Lincoln was able to self educate himself with his hard working and determined attitude, also he developed a love for books. Growing up he tried many different…
Howard 1 Abraham Lincoln and his impact There are seven known world wonders, but America has sculpted itself into the eighth wonder of the world. America has been the symbol of prosperity and hope to people all over the world. Even though America has endured many leaders, wars, and many trials and tribulations, it rose to the challenge. During the creation of America and its upbringing to become a great nation, many important figures paved the way to make it all possible. One man stands out before…
Abraham Lincoln By Michael McTaggart Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on Feb 12, 1809, to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Abraham had an older sister named Sarah and a younger brother named Thomas, who died when he was an infant. Due to a land dispute, the Lincolns were forced to move from Kentucky to Indiana in 1817. When Abraham was 9 years old his mother died at the age of 34. A few months after his Mom’s death, his Dad married Sarah Bush Johnston. Though both his parents were unable to read…
Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809, in Kentucky, but moved to Indiana with his family when he was eight. His mother died when he was ten and both of his parents came from undistinguished families. He did not grow up with a proper education, but he was able to read and write. He married Mary Todd in 1842 and had four children, but only one of them lived to maturity. In 1858, he ran against Stephen Douglas for the position of Senator. Lincoln did not win but he gained a reputation…
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12,1802. Lincoln didn't go to school much. A lot of his knowledge came from reading books and experiencing things in real life, but he did attend some schools. Lincoln married Mary Todd, they were not happy and they had always argued. Mary would throw things and yell as Lincoln would walk out on her to let things settle down. They were married for 22 years as all of this was going on. Lincoln and Mary had 4 kids named Robert Todd Lincoln…
Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States. He presided during the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, initiated Reconstruction, and was assassinated shortly after beginning his second term as president. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. In 1830, Lincoln’s family moved to Mason County, Illinois where he got a job as working on a river flatboat moving freight down the Mississippi river to New Orleans. He also worked…
Abraham Lincoln is often hailed as the greatest president of all times, he was a strong leader during one of the worst crisis in American history. Abraham Lincoln never liked to talk much about his early life. He was born on February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky in a log cabin with one window, one door, a chimney, and a hard packed dirty floor. His parents were Thomas and Nancy Lincoln; they named Abraham after his pioneer grandfather who was shot dead by hostile Indians in 1786, while planting…