The Age of Lincoln and the Art of American Power, 1848-1876

Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant. In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist. Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power mostly by appealing to people’s hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter. His art of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of Independence’s principles and the Constitution’s institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, “to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant.In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist.Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power mostly by appealing to peopleÆs hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter.His art of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of IndependenceÆs principles and the ConstitutionÆs institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, ôto a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.ö Although Abraham Lincoln was among seven presidents who served during the tumultuous years between the end of the Mexican War and the end of the Reconstruction era, history has not been kind to the others: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses Grant.In contrast, history sees Abraham Lincoln as a giant in character and deeds. During his presidency, he governed brilliantly, developed the economy, liberated four million people from slavery, reunified the nation, and helped enact the Homestead Act, among other accomplishments. He proved to be not only an outstanding commander in chief but also a skilled diplomat, economist, humanist, educator, and moralist.Lincoln achieved that and more because he was a master of the art of American power. He understood that the struggle for hearts and minds was the essence of politics in a democracy. He asserted power by appealing to people s hopes rather than their fears. All along he tried to shape rather than reflect prevailing public opinions that differed from his own. To that end, he was brilliant at bridging the gap between progressives and conservatives by reining in the former and urging on the latter.His exercise of power ultimately reflected his unswerving devotion to the Declaration of Independence s principles and the Constitution s institutions, or as he so elegantly expressed it, to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Part I. Manifest Destiny, 1848-1860 -- Eighteen Forty-eight -- Young Lincoln -- Uncle Tom's Cabin -- Bleeding Kansas -- Dred Scott And Harper's Ferry -- The Election -- Part Ii. Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Limited War -- Emancipation -- The Hamiltonian Triumph -- Turning Points -- Total War -- With Malice Toward None -- Part Iii. Reconstruction, 1865-1876 -- Revolution -- Night-riders And Black Codes -- Frontiers -- Eighteen Seventy-six -- Legacy. William Nester. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 315-354) And Index. Part 1. Manifest Destiny, 1848-1860 Eighteen forty-eight Young Lincoln Uncle Tom's Cabin Bleeding Kansas Dred Scott and Harpers Ferry The election Part 2. Civil War, 1861-1865 Limited war Emancipation The Hamiltonian triumph Turning points Total war With malice toward none Part 3. Reconstruction, 1865-1876 Revolution Night riders and black codes Frontiers Eighteen seventy-six Legacy.