The PresidentsThe Presidents

Jefferson Jefferson Davis –Davis –-Born in a Born in a log cabin in log cabin in KentuckyKentucky

Davis was born near the border of Christian county (later named Todd County), Kentucky

-Born in a log cabin in Born in a log cabin in KentuckyKentucky

-Father fought in the Father fought in the RevolutionRevolution

his uncles, were all Revolutionary soldiers in 1776his uncles, were all Revolutionary soldiers in 1776

-Davis moved twice Davis moved twice during his youth. during his youth. First to Louisiana First to Louisiana then to Wilkinson then to Wilkinson County, Mississippi. County, Mississippi. He grew up on his He grew up on his brother’s plantation brother’s plantation and gained and gained advantages from this advantages from this because he could now because he could now afford to go to afford to go to college! college! (Jefferson College at (Jefferson College at Washington, Mississippi, in 1818, Washington, Mississippi, in 1818, and to Transylvania University at and to Transylvania University at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821)Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821)

Can you see Can you see how Davis how Davis would have would have been influenced been influenced by the Southern by the Southern culture and way culture and way of life? It of life? It definitely definitely helped him!helped him!

- Attended - Attended West PointWest Point

West Point, New York painting by Seth Eastman

-Fought in Black Hawk Fought in Black Hawk War (Indians) under War (Indians) under Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor

Chief Black Hawk Zachary Taylor Chief Black Hawk Zachary Taylor

Davis was chosen Davis was chosen by Taylor to by Taylor to personally escort personally escort Chief Black Hawk to Chief Black Hawk to Prison. Prison.

Another of Davis's duties during this time was to keep miners from illegally entering what would eventually become the state of Iowa.

This image from Henry Lewis' Das Illustrirte Mississipithal depicts the federal gunboat "Warrior" as it shells members of Black Hawk's band in their attempt to flee American troops and return to Iowa. In this engagement U.S. Army troops drove Black Hawk's party of men, women and children to the banks of the Mississippi River, where the gunboat patrolled. It inflicted heavy casualties upon those caught on the open water, turning a military rout into a scene of mass carnage.

-Mexican War heroMexican War hero

Siege of Mexico City during the WarSiege of Mexico City during the War

- Senator from - Senator from MississippiMississippi

A stint as Secretary of War under A stint as Secretary of War under Pierce in 1853 was followed by Pierce in 1853 was followed by another stint in the Mississippi Senate another stint in the Mississippi Senate where he gave speeches that opposed where he gave speeches that opposed secession in 1858 in Boston. secession in 1858 in Boston.

On February 9, 1861, a constitutional convention at On February 9, 1861, a constitutional convention at Montgomery, Alabama named him provisional president Montgomery, Alabama named him provisional president of the Confederate States of America and he was of the Confederate States of America and he was inaugurated on February 18inaugurated on February 18. In meetings of his own . In meetings of his own Mississippi legislature, Davis had argued against Mississippi legislature, Davis had argued against secession; but when a majority of the delegates opposed secession; but when a majority of the delegates opposed him, he gave in. him, he gave in.

Confederate Confederate PresidentPresident

See who is in See who is in the middle of the middle of

their logo? their logo? They felt like They felt like

the Patriots of the Patriots of 1776 and kept 1776 and kept their heritage their heritage in their minds!in their minds!

On February 9, 1861, a constitutional convention at On February 9, 1861, a constitutional convention at Montgomery, Alabama named him provisional president of the Montgomery, Alabama named him provisional president of the Confederate States of America and he was Confederate States of America and he was inaugurated on inaugurated on February 18February 18. In meetings of his own Mississippi legislature, . In meetings of his own Mississippi legislature, Davis had argued against secession; but when a majority of the Davis had argued against secession; but when a majority of the delegates opposed him, he gave in. delegates opposed him, he gave in.

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

““The

Rai

l

The

Rail

Split

ter”

Split

ter”

Born in a log cabin in KentuckyBorn in a log cabin in Kentucky

Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln

His mother died when he was nine and his family moved several times; from Kentucky, where he was born, to Indiana, and then on to Illinois in his early 20s.

Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 in the Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 in the log cabin to the left. It is now in a log cabin to the left. It is now in a

Museum in Kentucky for protection. (Below)Museum in Kentucky for protection. (Below)

Many people Many people believe that believe that

Lincoln Lincoln despised slavery despised slavery

because his because his father made him father made him

work so work so hard as a youth hard as a youth

(till the (till the age of 21 you age of 21 you

were were to follow your to follow your

parents parents orders)orders)

When there wasn’t When there wasn’t work for Lincoln to work for Lincoln to

do, his father would do, his father would have him work as a have him work as a hired hand to make hired hand to make extra money for the extra money for the

family. family.

Several times,

Lincoln did his

homework writing with coal on the back of a shovel.

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

- Ran Ran ferry ferry boat, boat,

rafter, rafter, postmasterpostmaster

Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnRafter - Rafter -

Lincoln was once fined for Lincoln was once fined for rafting without a license. rafting without a license.

This is when his law This is when his law interest peeked! interest peeked!

1831- When Abe was 19 he got his first chance to

see something of the “outside world.” James

Gentry, the owner of the country store, hired him

to take a flatboat of cargo to New Orleans, then a wealthy city of

some 40,000 people. He He would also see slave would also see slave trading occur here.trading occur here.

Moved to Illinois Moved to Illinois Land of Lincoln

(New Salem: Springfield)

Springfield Springfield HomeHome

18441844

Lincoln’s New Lincoln’s New Salem HomeSalem Home

18311831

MMay, the ay, the Lincoln Lincoln family family movesmoves into a into a house in house in Springfield, Springfield, bought for bought for $1500.$1500.

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln 1832 -1832 -

Jefferson Davis believes he was the one who signed up Lincoln before the Black Hawk War. Many scholars believe that Lincoln,

who had been elected an officer by the men of his militia company, prevented them from

killing this unfortunate Native American. Many militia recruits hoped to kill an Indian in the Black Hawk War, but had little idea what real fighting entailed. When a lone

Native American entered their camp, many of Lincoln's men leaped to their feat, eager to take the opportunity to fulfill their goal. But Lincoln, who had become the camp's

champion wrestler as the men whiled away the endless hours of military life, informed his men that in order to harm the Indian,

they would have to defeat him first.

Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln-postmasterpostmasterLincoln was also a postmaster. His Lincoln was also a postmaster. His township had the worst efficiency township had the worst efficiency recorded in the entire country.recorded in the entire country.

There were no stamps, There were no stamps, so the person who got so the person who got the letter paid 6 cents the letter paid 6 cents

within 30 miles, a within 30 miles, a quarter for 400 and quarter for 400 and

over.over.

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincolnFirstFirst known known photographphotograph of of LincolnLincoln, about , about 1846!1846!

18461846 - May 1, - May 1, nominated to be the nominated to be the Whig candidate for Whig candidate for U.S. Congress. U.S. Congress. August 3, elected to August 3, elected to the U.S. House of the U.S. House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

-Store Clerk: “Honest Abe”

One day he noticed he had One day he noticed he had overcharged a customer a few overcharged a customer a few

pennies. After the store closed, pennies. After the store closed, he hiked six miles to return the he hiked six miles to return the

changechange

When Lincoln’s partner, William When Lincoln’s partner, William Berry, died, Lincoln was $1,100 Berry, died, Lincoln was $1,100

in debt (a huge amount then that in debt (a huge amount then that he called the “National Debt”). It he called the “National Debt”). It took him 15 years, but he paid it took him 15 years, but he paid it

all back. all back.

1832

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln- Self - taught lawyer, politician

For example, Lincoln didn't like to charge people much who were as poor as he was. Once a man sent him twenty-five dollars, but Lincoln sent him back ten of it, saying he was being too generous. He was known at times to convince his clients to settle their issue out of court, saving them a lot of money, and earning himself nothing.

An old woman in dire poverty, the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, was charged $200 for getting her $400 pension. Lincoln sued the pension agent and won the case for the old woman. He didn't charge her for his services and, in fact, paid her hotel bill and gave her money to buy a ticket home!

- Self - taught lawyer,

politician

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

-Wife – Wife – Mary Todd Mary Todd LincolnLincoln

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

-Wife – Wife – Mary Todd Mary Todd LincolnLincoln

- 4 Sons 4 Sons – – One survives One survives childhoodchildhood

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

Robert LincolnRobert LincolnTad LincolnTad Lincoln

Willie LincolnWillie LincolnEddie LincolnEddie Lincoln

In September 1842In September 1842, Lincoln accepts a challenge to a duel by , Lincoln accepts a challenge to a duel by Democratic state auditor James Shields over published letters making fun of Shields. Democratic state auditor James Shields over published letters making fun of Shields. He proposed the ludicrous spectacle of a fight with “Cavalry broad swords of the largest size” while standing in a square ten feet wide and about twelve feet deep, which would put the much shorter Shields at a serious disadvantage. Lincoln may have hoped that the silliness (as well as the danger) of the proposed contest would bring Shields to his senses, but both men went ahead with their preparations for the duel until their seconds managed to arrange a peaceable settlement.

Lincoln was once challenged to a Lincoln was once challenged to a duel. Since he was the challenger, duel. Since he was the challenger, he chose the way the duel would he chose the way the duel would work! work!

DID YOU KNOW…..DID YOU KNOW…..