[intro music]
Many people think that Abe Lincoln was America's
Greatest President, and he got that title by breaking all the rules about what a president
could do. The Civil War started when Abe got elected in 1860. He was the first president
from the modern republican party, which opposed the expansion of slavery. So when he won,
Southern states seceded. Abe figured the war gave him special powers. There was no point
following the old rules if it meant the county would cease to exist. Bypassing Congress and
the Courts, Lincoln expanded the Army and the Navy and blockaded Southern ports. He
let government officials arrest citizens without a warrant, and imposed Martial Law when he
had to. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, to grant all slaves in Confederate territory
their freedom. He also wrote one of the most memorable presidential speeches--The Gettysburg
Address. But he also showed amazing restraint. He tried not to abuse his war powers. He made
sure to stand for reelection in 1864 to let voters decide if he had gone too far. And
he twisted every arm possible to secure the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which
put a legal end to slavery. There were plenty of rough times ahead, but Lincoln finally
put the country on the right side of history.
[outro music]