Summary

Abraham Lincoln Biography

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. He rose to become one of the most influential presidents in American history, despite being born into poverty and having limited formal education.

Early Life and Career

Lincoln’s mother, Nancy, died when he was 9 years old.
He had a strong dislike for physical work and preferred to read and write poetry.
Lincoln’s formal schooling was less than a year, but he became a voracious reader and devoured classics like “Pilgrim’s Progress” and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.
In 1830, the Lincoln family moved to Illinois, where Abraham met Mary Todd, whom he married in 1842.

Politics and the Civil War

Lincoln was a successful lawyer and politician, known for his quick wit and homely way of speaking.
He faced off against Stephen Douglas in the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which helped establish his reputation as a skilled debater.
Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States in 1860, with a platform that opposed the expansion of slavery.
The southern states, which relied heavily on slavery, felt threatened by Lincoln’s presidency and began to secede from the Union.
The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865, resulting in the deaths of over 600,000 American soldiers.

Emancipation and Assassination

Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared freedom for all slaves in the southern states.
He was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Lincoln’s death turned him into a martyr for the nation, and he is remembered as the “Great Emancipator” who guided the country through its most troubled times.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Abolitionist	A person who advocates for the end of slavery.	Lincoln’s platform opposed the expansion of slavery, making him an abolitionist leader.
Autobiography	A written account of a person’s life, written by themselves.	Lincoln read Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, which inspired his own pursuit of knowledge.
Civil War	A war fought between the northern and southern states of the United States from 1861 to 1865.	The Civil War was a pivotal event in American history, resulting in the deaths of over 600,000 soldiers.
Debate	A formal discussion or argument between two or more people, often with opposing views.	The Lincoln-Douglas debates showcased Lincoln’s skills as a debater and helped establish his reputation as a politician.
Emancipation	The act of freeing someone or something from a state of slavery or oppression.	Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for all slaves in the southern states.
Martyr	A person who is killed or suffers greatly for their beliefs or principles.	Lincoln’s assassination turned him into a martyr for the nation, cementing his legacy as a hero.
Platform	A set of principles or policies that a person or organization stands for.	Lincoln’s platform opposed the expansion of slavery, which helped him win the presidential election.
Secession	The act of withdrawing or separating from a larger group or organization.	The southern states seceded from the Union in response to Lincoln’s presidency and his opposition to slavery.
Voracious	Having a strong desire or appetite for something, especially knowledge or food.	Lincoln was a voracious reader, devouring classics like “Pilgrim’s Progress” and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.

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Abraham Lincoln Biography

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a person who eats eagerly and in large amounts, especially when referring to reading’?

A) Martyr
B) Debater
C) Voracious
D) Homely

2. Which word means ‘a person who is killed or suffers because of their beliefs’?

A) Emancipator
B) Debater
C) Politician
D) Martyr

3. Which word means ‘to set someone or something free’?

A) Secede
B) Assassinate
C) Emancipate
D) Devour

4. Which word means ‘to leave an organization or country, especially in order to join or form a new one’?

A) Emancipate
B) Assassinate
C) Secede
D) Debate

5. Which word means ‘a person who speaks in public, especially someone who is good at arguing or persuading people’?

A) Homely
B) Voracious
C) Debater
D) Martyr

Answer Key:

1. C
2. D
3. C
4. C
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Simple and Past Simple Tenses

The past perfect simple and past simple tenses are used to describe actions that occurred in the past. The past simple is used for completed actions in the past, whereas the past perfect simple is used for actions that occurred before another action in the past. For example, in the sentence “Lincoln’s mother, Nancy, died when he was 9 years old,” the past simple tense “died” is used to describe the completed action of Nancy’s death. In contrast, the sentence “He had become a voracious reader before he devoured classics like ‘Pilgrim’s Progress'” illustrates the use of the past perfect simple “had become” to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past.

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States,

2. Lincoln’s familyto Illinois in 1830, where Abraham met Mary Todd.

3. By the time the Civil War started, Lincolnthe Emancipation Proclamation.

4. The southern states felt threatened by Lincoln’s presidency because theyheavily on slavery.

5. By the time Lincoln died, the Civil Warfrom 1861 to 1865.

Answer Key:

1. b) he had been a successful lawyer

2. b) had moved

3. a) had not issued (Note: The correct answer is not among the options, the correct sentence should be “By the time the Civil War started, Lincoln had not issued the Emancipation Proclamation.’)

4. d) relied

5. a) had lasted