Planters / 5% of population

Yeoman Farmers / 30% of population

Rural Poor / 25% of population

Slaves / 40% of population

1865: “I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others. Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” ( Lincoln, 1853, v8, p360-1)

Objective: To examine the advantages, disadvantages, and strategies of both the Union and the Confederacy.

• Who had the advantage at the start of the Civil War, the Union or the Confederacy, and why do you think so?

13th Amendment

● The 13th amendment to the Constitution declared that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." Formally abolishing slavery in the United States, the 13th Amendment was passed by the Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified by the states on December 6, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865

Abraham Lincoln Daniel Day Lewis

Lincoln in 1865

● Lincoln is working to finish the Civil War.● The country continues to debate how to bring the southern

states back in to the Union. Lincoln hopes for, “malice toward none.” He wants to reunify the country and not punish the south.

● Lincoln fights for the 13th amendment which would abolish slavery in the entire country. He wants to make it a condition of southern states reentering the union.

● Was reelected in 1864 – sworn in March 1865.● Spends as much time as possible with his surviving young

son Tad. Takes him to review the troops and allows him to run around the White House.

● Went for over a week to Virginia to see the troops and meet with Grant.

Mary Todd Lincoln 1818-1882

Mary Todd Lincoln Sally Field

Mary Lincoln in 1865

● Lost two sons to disease (Eddie 3 died in 1850, Willie 11 died in 1862)

● Is in debt from overspending.● Has been falsely accused of siding with

Confederates because of family members fighting on their side.

● Worried that her husband will be assassinated and that her son Robert will die in the war.

● Has spent time during the war visiting wounded soldiers at the war hospitals in DC.

Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Robert Todd Lincoln in 1865

● Studied at Harvard. ● Most of his generation of young men is

serving in the military.● His parents do not want him to serve in

the military.● Lincoln arranges that he will be assigned

as a captain in U.S. Grant’s staff.● Witnesses the surrender of Lee to Grant.● Has not had a chance to be close to his

father.

William Seward 1801-1872

William Seward David Strathairn

William Seward in 1865

● Lincoln’s Secretary of State● Abolitionist and encourages Lincoln to

fight for the 13th amendment.● Is badly injured in a carriage accident

while Lincoln is visiting Virginia.● Was also targeted during the Lincoln

assassination.

Thaddeus Stevens 1792-1868

Thaddeus Stevens Tommy Lee Jones

Thaddeus Stevens

● Congressman from Pennsylvania.● Radical Republican.● Disagrees with how Lincoln hopes to

readmit the southern states.● Opposed to slavery and for the 13th

amendment.● Had a personal 23 year relationship with a

bi-racial woman and wanted full legal equality for African-Americans.

Elizabeth Keckley 1818-1907

Elizabeth Keckley Gloria Rubin

Elizabeth Keckley 1865

● Seamstress in Washington D.C.● Bought her freedom and that of her son.● Known for designing gowns for wives of the

powerful: Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis.● After she was hired by Mary Lincoln they

became close and she was a constant presence at the White House.

● Comforted Mary after the deaths of Willie and Abraham.

● Traveled to Chicago with Mary after Lincoln’s assassination.

Ulysses S. Grant 1822-1885

Ulysses S. Grant Jared Harris

Ulysses S. Grant

● General of the Union Army.● Accepted General Lee’s surrender at

Appomattox Court House.● Had the backing and support of Lincoln to

end the war.● Elected president in 1868.

The Debate on Lincoln (2013) film

Podcast AssignmentAfter viewing Lincoln, listen to the following podcast and answer the questions.

http://www.steinershow.org/podcasts/history/on-the-anniversary-of-the-13th-amendment-the-other-side-of-lincoln/

1. Many Americans get their history from media - Explain the pros and cons of this statement.

2. Do film makers have a responsibility to "get it right" when teaching history?

3. William Slade - Lincoln's sounding board vs "I don't know your people" – Which of these two perspectives do you find

more accurate in Lincoln’s understanding of African Americans?

4. Two Ds and Two Cs – What were those according to the caller? Where in the film were any of these shown?

5. Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley – What would you have included in the film to show a more complete biopic of this character?

6. “This movie was not unsettling, it actually reaffirms what we believe about ourselves.” What did the guest mean when she

stated this? How does this fit into the charge of White Savior Raising? Do you feel that this was an accurate opinion of the film?

Why or why not?

7. What were some of the major complaints of the panelists concerning the film? What are your thoughts on those

complaints?