As somewhat new to the political arena in 1861, it was clear that Lincoln still had much to learn upon taking office. During a time of war, a president's decisions and role as commander in chief are even more crucial towards the country's future.
Lincoln had no political experience, unlike his Confederate counterpart Jefferson Davis, who had graduated from West Point. Yet, this reading paint Lincoln as an arguably successful commander-in-chief, even if he drastically expands his executive power in order to do so.
What is your evaluation of Lincoln as commander in chief? What are the key decisions that he makes in order to ensure Union strength and an eventual victory. And even more curious: why doesn't he fire McClellan right away, even upon Wade's insistence?
After I read this reading i found that when the American Civil War began, president Abraham Lincoln was far less prepared for the task of commander in chief than his Southern rival or enemy. Jefferson Davis had graduated from West Point (in the lowest third of his class, to be sure), commanded a order that fought at Buena Vista in the Mexican War. He also served as the secretary of war in the Franklin Pierce administration from 1853 to 1857. Lincoln's only military experience had come in 1832, when he was captain of a small militia unit that saw no action in the Black Hawk War. Also, during Lincoln's one term in Congress, he mocked his military career in an 1848 speech. Lincoln was not prepared for this position and he was lucky for the great difference he made even though he was not prepared for it.
ReplyDeleteMy evaluation of Lincoln as commander in chief was that he was a smart man, one who sought out the best for his country. A commander in chief wears two hats, he needs to be the top military person as well as keeping step with the common man. In order to obtain a Union victory and ensure that the Union stays strong, Lincoln used, the now coined term, " the principle of simulations advance." This, "became a controlling idea in the Union strategy." Another key decision that Lincoln made was when he decided to blockade southern ports. Though it did not result in immediate occupation of enemy territory, it did support operations against the rebel coastlines and rivers. Next, by implementing that the African Americans freed by the proclamation had to fight in the union, the union would therefore have many more men to fight with. I believe that Lincoln did not fire McClellan right away because Lincoln saw himself as a student of McClellan and believed he was still learning from him. Even though McClellan was absent, disliked and falling behind on his duties, when pressed by Senator Benjamin Wade, Lincoln voiced his opinion, "anybody [else] [aside] [from] [McClellan] might do for Wade, but [lincoln] must have somebody," and that somebody was McClellan
ReplyDeleteAfter reading "Lincoln's Presidential Example In Dealing With a Military," my evaluation of Lincoln as a commander in cheif was surprised yet expected. I was surprised that Abraham Lincoln had no experience in the political field. As a result I expected that he would make some very poor decisions in the beginning which did occur. What made Lincoln eventually become a great leader was his persistence and quick ability to learn. Lincoln was very appealing because unlike Jefferson Davis he had no military background which seemed crazy because of how good of a leader he was. Lincoln especially used his intuition in decision making. Some key decisions that he makes in order to ensure Union strengths are he uses the Confederacy's weaknesses as an advantage. I think Lincoln doesn't fire McCllelan right away because he knew McCllelan had military experience, just by keeping him around gave him a better advantage.
ReplyDeleteAfter the reading, my evaluation of of Lincoln is that he was a rational man who only wanted the best for his country. Although not having and experience in politics, his rational/ logical ways were how he made decisions and changed this country for ever and for the better. He was a very fast learner from the mistakes he made in the beginning of presidency. He didn't have any military background which probably help win him the vote because it made people think he wasn't war oriented, therefor he would try and avoid it. His best characteristic is probably his quick intuition. He was good at reacted fast as he entered presidency during a war and already wanted to end it. He kept around McCllelan because of his military knowledge, and used him as wisely. Lincoln also had a calm manner to him, which the country thought was soothing and put them at ease.
ReplyDeleteLincoln, a man of little military background, found himself the Commander in Chief of the Union Army and the leader who won the Civil War. While I evaluate him as a tremendous leader- one that is quick to learn and practical in his judgments- it doesnt MUCH matter the actions he took, only the victory he won. However, the actions he took were smart in nature. The most notable, in my opinion, was allowing black soldiers to enlist in the Union Army, eventually leading to a tip in the war in their favor. Others include adopting the Emancipation Proclamation, a tremendous feat for its time and environment. Why he didnt get rid of McClellan right away most likely had to do with the fact at one point he was Lincoln's mentor. McClellan also had great military knowledge he passed down to Abe.
ReplyDeleteMy view of Lincoln changed a bit after I read the material.
ReplyDeleteWhat I actually learn is that Lincoln is a very rational man, he doesn't like to make decisions that are not reasonable and rational. I can see that he was a smart man because he could learn fast and get information from different places in order to come up with an idea that fits everyone. Although he made mistakes, he would notice that and revise himself. He was a wise man who was very kind, honest, and fair, that's why he was important not only as a president but also as a man who could be widely accepted by people. He knew when to do what and always be presented. Lincoln didn't want to harm people so he didn't fire McCllelan, and he knew that McCllelan had his own value that he could use, and with his kindness, it could actually help him getting more positive feedback.
Lincoln seemed to have been a master learner, absorbing tons of information on the fly throughout his presidency in order to lead it out of these tough times. Lincoln mastered the most effective military strategies of the time an showed enough grasp of the material to weed out the bad advice and incorporate the beneficial advice into his overall plan. He showed patience and fortitude by keeping cool and level headed when he meet disrespect and resentment from his underlings, while also getting the most use out of them. It seems like Lincoln is fighting more than the Confederate army, that he's actually fighting people within his administration as well.
ReplyDeleteI believe lincoln as commander in chief was very brave and level headed. He did not do things out of no reason and most of his actions were well thought. These are the qualities of a leader which abraham licoln was
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