motivate change, and rise to the challenge when followers won’t change.
Abraham Lincoln was such a person… a great leader.
Lincoln was a unique man for a dangerous & precarious time.
Consider the challenges he faced in the 4+ years of his Presidency…
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In the 1850s, decisions meant to compromise on slavery, only splintered the nation.
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Lincoln was committed to preserve the Union; he became called to eradicate slavery.
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Through the Dred Scott decision, a Supreme Court was set on promoting slavery.
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Territorial openness to slavery was not in concert with the intent of the founding fathers.
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The electorate, allured by popular sovereignty, was willing to give up its principles.
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Extremists on both sides, like John Brown and John Wilkes Booth were eager to act.
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States in the South would not even have Lincoln’s name on the ballot.
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Third party candidates that could easily have affected the election.
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Popular Generals, Fremont and McClellan, would later ran for president against him.
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Seven Southern States seceded prior to his taking office.
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The constant threat of Border States Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri to secede.
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International intrigue… a possible war with England, the Trent affair & France/ Mexico.
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The inflammatory leadership from the Confederate States of America.
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Jealous cabinet members, with their own agendas, like a Salmon Chase presidency.
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Abolitionists, like Charles Sumner, well-intentioned, but accepting no compromise.
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Racial prejudice rampant, even among those wanting emancipation.
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Know-Nothings, political aspirants who hated immigrants and Catholics.
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Former Whigs, who had similar political impulses but lacked the required courage.
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Peace Democrats, like Vallandigham, who challenged the draft and will to fight.
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Political riots, like the draft riots in New York.
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Newspaper editors, like Horace Greeley, never satisfied, wanting a pound of flesh.
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Radical Republicans, like Benjamin Wade, punishing the South in reconstruction.
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Office seekers, seeking patronage and all of his time.
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Family situations, from the death of his son, to attention to his insecure wife.
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Maverick generals like Hunter and Fremont, who acted out their own abolitionism.
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Lack of courage or incompetence in Generals, like McClellan and Burnside.
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Successful Southern Generals, like the exceptional Lee and Jackson
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The weight of war… with over 600,000 killed on both sides.
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Former slaves, like Frederick Douglass, who never seemed satisfied with what was done.
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Potential and real Assassins, like those in Baltimore and John Wilkes Booth.
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And the ever-present slaves…unrepresented, thought sub-human, yet he saw as equals.
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For all of these challenges, and more, Lincoln was equal to the task.