Abraham Lincoln was America’s 16th president. He was president during one of the hardest times in America’s history. During this time, eleven southern states had broken away from the United States to form their own country. The new country was called the Confederate States of America. The states broke away because Lincoln wanted to end slavery. The southern states were dependent on slavery to tend to cotton and tobacco fields. The southern states believed the government did not have the power to end slavery. The war that followed was called the Civil War.

The Civil War lasted four long years. It was, by far, the deadliest war in American history. It was a very hard time for Lincoln. For much of the war, it seemed that the Confederate States of America would win. There was a lot of pressure on Lincoln. Some in the United States felt he was a poor leader. During this time, one of Lincoln’s sons died and his wife, Mary Todd, became depressed. Lincoln, however, stayed focused. His goal was to keep America together, and eventually, to indeed, end slavery. In 1865, the Confederate States of America surrendered and the United States, without slavery, would be one country again. Lincoln accomplished both of his goals and is remembered as one of the greatest figures in American history.