Abraham+Lincoln

= Ant Farm = Abraham Lincoln AKA  Honest Abe :)

Information that YOU need to know..


 * Name**: Abraham Lincoln
 * Age**: 41 (as of 1850)
 * Gender**: Male
 * Occupation**: the 16th president of the United States.
 * If in politics, what was your occupation prior to that:** Country lawyer, Illinois state legislator, House of Representatives member, store owner,
 * Social Class:** high social class after he got his job, dad was a farmer
 * Financial Situation:** When his father was a farmer, he was relatively poor. When his father became a carpenter however, he became pretty rich. Later, during the years of his presidency and even before, he was relatively rich.
 * Appearance:** You can see for yourself below this. Doesn't have a mustache but has a beard with very big ears. White. Six feet four inches--VERY tall. Forehead was high. Head was bigger than the average size. Eyes were gray. Face and Forehead always had wrinkles.
 * Location**: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, District of Colombia, White house,
 * Daily Routine:** (changed dependent on the year but some activities include...)reading the newspaper every morning, finding ways to end slavery, helping the American Civil War, creating national banks and railroads, sitting in the office answering phone calls and making big decisions
 * Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits:** Extremely compassionate and sociable. Can get along with almost anyone. Firm and strong but polite at the same time.
 * Past/Individual and family history:** He was relatively poor because his father was a farmer. However, he later became richer because his dad became a carpenter.
 * Family:** His biological parents were Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. However, Nancy died of Milk sickness so Thomas married Abraham's stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston. Abraham was married to Mary Todd Lincoln who had a wealthy family background. Although her family rejected the idea of marrying Abraham because he was relatively poor, she still married him because she loved him. Robert Todd Lincoln is Abraham's only son that lived up to adulthood, graduating from Harvard as a lawyer. Edward Baker, William Wallace, and Thomas Lincoln were the three other sons of Abraham but they all died during their childhood years.
 * Social relations with others:** He was very companionable and warm. People respected him because of his kindness and his ability to get along and talk with people.
 * Religion**: This is an ongoing controversy--his religion is ambiguous. Although he quoted God and the Bible, he never went to Church.
 * Education**: only one year of formal education, went to Knox College, Colombia, Princeton
 * Conflicts/Enemies:** the South, anyone for the expansion of slavery, John Wilkes Booth




 * Journal #1** - The time frame is sometime during the year 1850. Consider all of the things that have taken place during the previous five years (Mexican-American War, Mexican Cession, Wilmot Proviso, Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act). You are free to write about any one (or more) of these things in your journal entry. Be sure to include your actions in response to one (or more) of these events.

Dear Diary, It is the end of the year of 1850. The compromise of 1850 just took place, where Henry Clay tried to save the union. This states California as a free state, New Mexico and Utah without the mention of slavery, abolishing the slave trade in Colombia, and a federal fugitive slave law. I always admired Clay for his hard work and efforts, but moreover, this idea was perfect to stop all this nonsense about slavery. It is a reasonable compromise between the idea of slavery between states. I’m not an abolitionist exactly, but I don’t want the pervasive expansion of slavery to rise.

As for the fugitive slave trade, I think it is absurd. It does make sense for the compromise of 1850, but one should not be punished or fined just because he did not report a runaway slave. The slaves have a reason why they want to run away. I am currently a member of the House of Representatives, but I believe I must do something more to help stop this slavery expansion. I am going to get a higher position in the political division in order to raise awareness through many speeches.

Four years ago, my great congressmen David Wilmot made the Wilmot Proviso in order to prohibit the slavery expanding in any territories that were gained through the Mexican War. It was passed in the North and even the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate. This caused tension between the North and the South and various political parties currently. If only this had succeeded...If only we could make everyone agree with preventing the expansion of slavery--nothing good comes out of it anyway. There wouldn’t be tension among various states and sectionalism would decrease. We could be more united if it weren’t for this slavery issue. I know, I must make a political party related to this issue--I need the citizens of America’s support to prevent this issue!

"You're the woman that started this war" --Abraham to Harriet Beecher Stowe
 * Journal #2 -** The year is now 1852. Continue your story as you began in Journal #1. For this journal entry and all subsequent entries, you must interact with at least two other characters in each journal entry. When you interact with another character, provide a hyperlink to that character's page in your journal entry.

Hello Diary. My fellow Henry Clay died a few months ago. Can our country be prosperous, strong, and powerful without Henry Clay? Let our Union strive even without him, for God will provide our citizens safety and security. Edward and William, my two beautiful sons died last year...God must protect us from these horrific occurrences. I did travel 400 miles in Illinois in the 8th Judicial Circuit. The citizens of America called me an outstanding lawyer, and now they call me Honest Abe. The lawyer work does pay off, but I want to do something more in the political party.

A few days ago, I read a novel //Uncle Tom's Cabin//, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The citizens of America must read this novel, for it shows this young woman's perspective on the morality and TRUTH of slavery. People need to understand how the slaves feel; we cannot expand this immoral want. She is a strong abolitionist, who helped others through nonviolence and the underground railroad. Fredrick Douglass is also a powerful abolitionist who published //The North Star.// Adding on, our Sir John Brown is a Whig abolitionist but apparently, he uses violence to get his means across. Although I do understand their perspectives, these public works have caused a bit of chaos in the country. I do not tolerate this violence in America--uproar amongst the North and South is becoming more prevalent. We mustn't think about the present; we must plan out America's future and the good of this country as a whole. We shall think of the current slaves later as they bring a halt in striving to become one as a Union--we must primarily stop this expansion of slavery in other states. Currently, this country is in the beginning stages of chaos. The Fugitive Slave Act is distressing many slaves like Stowe, Douglass, and Brown. However, I heard about this one slave, Dred Scott, who is going to Court for his wrongdoing actions, punished by the Fugitive Slave Act. We must observe what happens and make sure this case does not pervasively spread throughout the country. We must avoid chaos and ensure peace. That is all for now. May God be with us in a time like this.



**Journal #3 -** It's 1854... the Kansas-Nebraska Act has passed. Squatters are now moving into Kansas in an attempt to sway the vote. Continue your story...

Hello Diary. I know it's been two years since I've written in this thing, but I've been so busy. Wow, our very own Stephen Douglas did so much with the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This was when settlers entering the Kansas and Nebraska territories found no established authority and wanted to build railways. However, they needed a form of government and secure land. This act left the residents to choose the fate of slavery in their state without specifying anything, otherwise known as popular sovereignty.This repealed the Missouri Compromise as it opened two states to slavery--enhancing the sectional divide. To simply state the truth (Diary), I am disappointed at this whole fiasco. Douglass needs to understand that popular sovereignty will not solve anything. Look already, the Border Ruffians (pro-slavery), cheated this system and for a while located in Kansas in order to make it a proslavery government.Even his good friend, John C. Freemont thinks so too.This legislation is simply immoral. America's founders set a foundation for slavery for extinction slowly by preventing it from spreading throughout new territories. We must repeal this act immediately! The people of the state should not have the power to decide whether or not they should allow slavery--only more disputes will follow. Our Union cannot survive and proper through this absurd act.

The antislavery Whigs formed a new party called the Republicans as a result of this act. This was a necessary political party as we make sure to keep slavery out of the territories WHILE still taking actions that would do good for the country--developing national roads, more land distribution in the West, and increased tariffs. The other political party that was formed are the Know-Nothings who are secretive and private about everything and are based on nativism.

I do not want to think about this right now. I know people may misunderstand me and think I am angered at this situation, because I recently ran for Senate but lost the vote. BUT, this matter does not have anything to do with my endeavors; rather, it is an issue that we must all act upon to repeal.

**Journal #4 -** It's now 1856. Bleeding Kansas has just taken place and John Brown emerged on to the scene. Buchanan was just elected as the US President. Dred Scott is arrested and is about to be brought to trial. Continue your story.

Dear Diary... A few weeks ago I ran out for the Republican vice-president. I am officially not a Whig anymore, as that party soon died out. Although I did not win, I received numerous votes, especially compared to the last time I ran out for Senate.

Currently, there is an immense issue with John Brown and Bleeding Kansas. John Brown is an EXTREME radical abolitionist. I understand that he is against slavery because of its immoral deeds. However, this is a different matter at hand. One should not murder five innocent men for the sake of slavery.I am appalled. I must do something to stop this whole slavery issue. It has gotten to a point where violence is taken into action. We cannot be under one Union if we as a country do not try to prevent this. Now, 200 people have died because of this man taking radical actions on his viewpoint towards slavery. Even Preston Brooks, for example, the man who believes in proslavery, hit our Senator Charles Sumner on the head with a cane--all because of their opposing perspectives. This whole thing became so radical that it destroyed the former president,Franklin Pierce's career and the Democrats chose James Buchnan as our president. He is doing nothing to try and fix this issue, but rather, he is being a fool and avoiding this issue. He wanted the Union to create a permanent solution but was at loss for words when asked what he was going to do about it.

Also, I heard about a slave, Dred Scott getting into matters with Judge Taney. He was taken by his master from Missouri to Illinois, a free state. Scott had the rights to sue the federal government, because he is still counted as a citizen. The government stated that he is not a citizen but is property, and that the government would be breaking the 5th amendment. The Supreme Court said the Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional and Congress can't stop slavery. I am disgusted at this whole issue. The Supreme court made up facts and use their own opinions rather than following what's morally correct and the law. This whole slavery thing is getting way too big.

So a few days ago, I thought of the only thing I could do to save this Union--stating what I believe is right and actually trying to solve this matter. I am going to make this speech soon, informing the public of my plan and my opinion on this whole Dred Scott issue. I must persuade the citizens of America to help me stop this country splitting into two over this matter. We cannot continue this.



**Journal #5** - The year is 1860. Lincoln was just elected as US President, prompting South Carolina to secede. Write the next chapter in your story.

Hello Diary.

Four year has passed and many things have changed in our country. First off, Dred Scott is now back to a normal slave again under our former President Buchanan's help. I am appalled--this man deserves his own freedom and rights. He had the right to sue the court. I made my famous "House-Divided Speech" shortly after, which received an immense response from the audience. Anyway, now for the biggest news of the year...

I am now officially the president of the United States. It was actually a close call between William Seward, who was against the nativist movement. However, I informed the country on my stance on slavery--I declared that I am not an abolitionist. Rather, I do not want the issue of slavery to expand. I did not make a speech actually, but I campaigned through my own personal story--going from a poor young boy to the president of the United States. I gained electoral votes from all of the free states and won the majority, especially in the North. This is the start of a great success in the Republican Party from now on. I can finally voice out my opinions and help America become one. However, at the start of my presidency, South Carolina already seceded from the Union after my election. I am frightened that this will make other Southern states do the same. The United States has become two nations, as South Carolina is now considered its own separate country.

Senator John Crittenden from Kentucky actually tried to solve this problem and bring South Carolina back into the Union. He tried to replicate what Henry Clay did with his Missouri Compromise. This was later called the Crittenden Compromise but I decided to reject this. The government could "entertain no proposition for a compromise in regard to the extension of slavery."

I know that a war will break out soon--it is inevitable. They say the Union is breaking down; it is my job to fix this.



http://www.troynovant.com/Franson/Fehrenbacher/Prelude-to-Greatness.html = = =Bibliography=

//Wilmot Proviso//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . //Abraham Lincoln//. Wikipedia, 9 Nov. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . //Abraham Lincoln//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. .//AN OVERVIEW OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LIFE//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. .//Abraham Lincoln Family//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/clay.htm //The Dred Scott Decision//. The History Place. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. .