4. Abraham Lincoln's Early Life and Education

Lincoln had approximately three and a half years of formal education.
He was described as a voracious reader who loved to read.
Lincoln had to help his parents with labor, as he worked hard in various jobs.
Nurtured Servant: Lincoln's father had Lincoln work for neighbors on their farms, with his wages going to his father. This experience of being a nurtured servant is argued by scholars to have shaped Lincoln's perspective on life and labor.

Public Speaking: Lincoln began making significant speeches around 1857-1858, gaining recognition.
His speeches, including critiques of the Dred Scott case, positioned him against the expansion of slavery.
Dred Scott Case Argument: Lincoln argued that it was incorrect to believe that slave owners only wanted to keep slavery confined to the South; instead, they aimed to expand it nationally, seeking to create a societal structure where all non-wealthy individuals would exist in a state akin to slavery.

Lincoln believed that if slavery was allowed to spread unchecked, it would lead to a society dominated by wealthy slave owners and subjugated laborers, creating a disturbing form of society.
He warned that failure to confront the ambitions of slave owners would worsen the situation, affecting both black and white workers.

Although Lincoln lost the Senate race to Stephen Douglas, the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates contributed significantly to Lincoln's national prominence.
Post-debates, Lincoln was invited to speak at several institutions, where he delivered notable speeches, such as the House Divided speech.
Lincoln argued that the founding fathers had a majority against the expansion of slavery at various points; thus, the Republican party was not radical but a continuation of their ideals.

Degrees of Abolitionism: The ideological landscape included radical abolitionists (e.g., John Brown) versus more moderate abolitionist views like Lincoln's.
John Brown saw slave ownership as morally worse than murder, motivating him to start a slave insurrection.
Harpers Ferry Raid:
- Brown attempted to take over an arsenal at Harpers Ferry to arm slaves for rebellion, recruiting over 20 men.
- The raid temporarily succeeded but was quickly subdued by U.S. Marines led by Robert E. Lee.
- After capture, Brown argued in his trial that slavery was a moral evil that justified even violent resistance against slave owners.
- He was ultimately executed, raising fears among Southerners about Northern sentiments toward slavery.

As John Brown's execution heightened tensions, Lincoln stepped forward to run for president under the Republican nomination.
The election featured various candidates, including:
- Lincoln (Republican)
- Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat)
- John Breckenridge (Southern Democrat)
- John Bell (Constitutional Union Party)
Election Results: Lincoln won the presidency without winning a majority of the popular vote (less than 40%), receiving approximately 1,800,000 votes (39.8%).
- Douglas: Came in second with approximately 1,300,000 votes (29.5%).
- Breckenridge: Received around 848,000 votes (18.1%).
- Bell: Amounted to 12.6% or roughly 586,000 votes.
The election underscored the polarization of the nation, particularly in Southern states.

Following Lincoln's election, Southern states began to hold secession conventions.
South Carolina: First state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860, with a unanimous vote.
Total Seceded States: 11 Southern states formed the Confederate States of America, secession fueled by fears of Lincoln’s presidency.
States that seceded included Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Virginia (the latter yielding West Virginia).
Notable Opposition: Figures like Sam Houston in Texas opposed secession, advocating for Texas to remain in the Union.

Seven Southern states seceded before Lincoln was inaugurated (March 1861).
The Civil War is portrayed as the deadliest conflict in U.S. history, leading to approximately 625,000 deaths.
The initial cause of war began with the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter, marking the first shots fired in the conflict.

**Advantages of the North:
- Population:** Approximately 22 million in the North; about 9 million in the South, with around 4 million being enslaved black people.
- Military Resources: The North possessed a greater manufacturing capacity and essential resources for warfare (approximately 81% of factory production).
- Transportation: The North had two-thirds of the railroads, facilitating better transport of troops and supplies.
Disadvantages of the North:
- The Union had to take an offensive approach in the war as it needed to invade the South, creating the requirement for extensive military logistics.

Home-Field Advantage: Fighting on familiar terrain, allowing for strategic benefits.
Military Leadership: High-ranking commanders like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson opted to lead Confederate forces.

The First Battle of Bull Run illustrated both armies' disorganization, dispelling the initial misbelief that the war would quickly conclude.
Many spectators (wealthy civilians) naïvely viewed the battle as a spectacle, still reflecting the public's initial misunderstanding of the war's severity.

Initially, General Grant faced various personal issues, including debts, alcoholism, and a lackluster academic record (graduating second to last at West Point).
Despite this, he would eventually emerge as a pivotal leader for the Union due to his effectiveness and strategic acumen during the war.

This overview sets the stage for further discussion on military campaigns and leadership strategies during the Civil War. Discussion will continue in the next lecture, deepening the understanding of key events and figures in this pivotal period of American history.