Summary

Abraham Lincoln Biography

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. He rose from poverty to become one of the most influential presidents in American history.

Early Life

Lincoln’s formal schooling was less than a year, but he became a voracious reader, devouring classics like “Pilgrim’s Progress” and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.
He moved to Illinois with his family in 1830 and met Mary Todd, whom he married in 1842.

Politics and Slavery

Lincoln was a strong opponent of slavery, which was a contentious issue in the United States during the 1800s.
He participated in the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which helped establish him as a prominent figure in politics.
Lincoln’s Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery, gained momentum in the north, leading to his election as president in 1860.

Civil War and Emancipation

Lincoln’s election led to the secession of southern states, which felt their economic prosperity and way of life were under threat.
The Civil War (1861-1865) resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 American soldiers.
Lincoln’s views on slavery evolved during the war, and he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in the southern states.

Assassination and Legacy

Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
He died the next morning and was succeeded by Vice President Andrew Johnson.
Lincoln’s legacy is that of a martyr and the “Great Emancipator,” who guided the nation through its most troubled times and paved the way for future generations of Americans.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Abolitionist	A person who advocates for the end of slavery.	Lincoln was a strong abolitionist who fought against the expansion of slavery.
Secession	The act of withdrawing from a union or alliance.	The southern states seceded from the Union, leading to the formation of the Confederacy.
Emancipation	The act of freeing someone from slavery or oppression.	Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for all slaves in the southern states.
Civil War	A war between different groups within the same country.	The American Civil War was fought between the Union and the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865.
Assassination	The act of killing someone, especially a prominent person, in a surprise attack.	Lincoln’s assassination was a tragic event that shocked the nation.
Martyr	A person who is killed or suffers greatly for their beliefs or principles.	Lincoln is often remembered as a martyr who gave his life for the cause of freedom and unity.
Voracious	Having a strong desire or appetite for something, especially food or knowledge.	Lincoln was a voracious reader who devoured books on various subjects.
Contentious	Causing disagreement or argument.	The issue of slavery was a contentious topic in the United States during the 1800s.
Proclamation	An official announcement or declaration.	Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was a historic document that changed the course of American history.
Legacy	The impact or influence that someone or something has on future generations.	Lincoln’s legacy is that of a unifying figure who paved the way for future generations of Americans.

Watch The Video

Abraham Lincoln Biography

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a person who dies for their beliefs or principles’ in the context of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy?

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

2. What does ‘voracious’ mean in the context of Abraham Lincoln’s reading habits?

A) Having a strong dislike for reading
B) Having a moderate interest in reading
C) Having an insatiable appetite for reading
D) Having no interest in reading

3. What is the term for the official announcement made by Abraham Lincoln to free slaves in the southern states?

A) Emancipation Declaration
B) Freedom Proclamation
C) Abolition Act
D) Emancipation Proclamation

4. What does ‘contentious’ mean in the context of the issue of slavery in the United States during the 1800s?

A) Highly agreed upon
B) Somewhat debated
C) Highly disputed or controversial
D) Completely ignored

5. What is the term for the act of leaving a country or organization, as done by the southern states in response to Lincoln’s election?

A) Secession
B) Unionization
C) Emancipation
D) Assassination

Answer Key:

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

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 perfect simple is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past, whereas the past simple is used to describe a completed action in the past. For example, in the sentence “He had moved to Illinois before he met Mary Todd,” the past perfect simple “had moved” is used to describe the action that occurred before “he met Mary Todd.” In contrast, the sentence “He moved to Illinois in 1830” uses the past simple “moved” to describe a completed action in the past.

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time Lincoln was elected as president,

2. Lincoln’s views on slavery and he issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

3. By the time Lincoln died,

4. Lincoln on April 14, 1865.

5. Before Lincoln became president,

Answer Key:

1. b) he had gained momentum in the north

2. c) evolved during the war

3. b) the Civil War had resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 American soldiers

4. c) was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth

5. c) he had participated in the Lincoln-Douglas debates