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 An
Overview of Lincoln's Administration
Life in the United States during
Lincoln's administration revolved almost entirely
around the Civil War. To raise money to fight the
war, Congress levied the first income tax in the
history of the country. For the first time,
federal officeholders had to take an oath of
loyalty to the Union. Pioneers flocked to the
western frontier, and mining towns sprang up
overnight. The government gave free farms to
settlers, and set aside land for colleges that
later became state universities. |
 Abraham Lincoln was a successful lawyer in Springfield,
Illinois, had served in the Illinois State
Legislature and in the U.S. House of
Representatives, but was virtually unknown
outside of Illinois. He gained national
recognition when he debated slavery with Stephen
A. Douglas during an 1858 campaign for the U.S.
Senate. Although he ultimately lost the
senatorial election, his oratorical skills drew
the attention of the newly-formed Republican
Party, which nominated him as its first candidate
for President in 1860. |
 Mary Todd Lincoln
From the moment she married Abraham Lincoln, Mary
believed that Abe was destined to become
President of the United States, and she did all
she could to help him realize that ambition.
Unfortunately, Mary's years in the White House
brought her more sorrow than happiness. |
 Thomas P.
"Boston" Corbett was one of the men specifically chosen
to pursue and capture President Abraham Lincoln's
assassin, John Wilkes Booth. On April 26, 1865,
despite orders to take him alive, he shot and
killed Booth. Corbett became a celebrity, but was
also also hounded by people who hated him for
killing someone they admired. |
 Edwin McMasters
Stanton was a very successful
attorney who accepted a salary cut to become
Attorney General in 1860. He subsequently served
as Secretary of War under Abraham Lincoln, and it
was President Andrew Johnson's attempt to fire
him that led to Johnson's impeachment trial. |
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