Explore the contradictions and compromises of Abraham Lincoln as a politician, including his approach to ending slavery through collaboration and compromise. Analyze his tactical approach and contrasting views on racism and political equality. Discuss his priorities and actions as president, including his limited concern for Native American rights. Examine the risks taken by Lincoln and politician Liz Cheney for speaking out against their own parties. Delve into the complex relationship between Lincoln and General McLaughlin during the Civil War.
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Quick takeaways
Abraham Lincoln prioritized practicality over personal beliefs, collaborating and compromising with those who held opposing views to make progress towards ending slavery.
Lincoln's approach to politics required difficult compromises and navigating conflicting interests, such as his relationship with General George McClellan in the pursuit of his goal.
Deep dives
Lincoln's Pragmatic Approach to Politics
Abraham Lincoln was a skilled politician who understood the importance of collaboration and compromise. Despite being seen as a deceptive and failure by some, Lincoln believed in navigating the political landscape to achieve real-life changes. He engaged in conversations with diverse individuals, including those who disagreed with him, and worked towards building a coalition. Lincoln's ability to hold conflicting ideas and prioritize practicality allowed him to make progress towards his goal of ending slavery, even if it meant making compromises along the way.
The Moral Tightrope of Politics
Lincoln's approach to politics required walking a moral tightrope. He understood that in order to move the country in the right direction, he needed to collaborate with people who held opposing views. While critics often questioned his tactics and compromise, Lincoln believed that the ends justified the means. He strategically framed the debate around the issue of slavery, focusing on winning over the majority rather than adhering strictly to his personal beliefs. This pragmatic approach, while met with criticism, ultimately led to significant progress in the fight against slavery.
The Challenges of Coalition Building
One of the key challenges Lincoln faced was coalition building, especially when it involved individuals with conflicting interests and values. His relationship with General George McClellan exemplified this challenge. McClellan, a highly talented military leader, held different views on slavery and prioritized the preservation of the Union over ending the institution. Despite their differences, Lincoln recognized the need to utilize McClellan's skills and strategically managed his command during the war. This example illustrates the compromises and difficult choices Lincoln had to make in order to achieve his ultimate goal.
Understanding Lincoln's Complex Legacy
Exploring Lincoln's actions and decisions reveals the complexities of his legacy. While an ardent opponent of slavery, Lincoln's stance on other issues, such as Native American rights, fell short of modern standards. His approach to politics required prioritizing certain issues over others, sometimes leading to moral contradictions and criticism. However, understanding the historical context and the challenges of the time allows for a deeper appreciation of the pragmatic and strategic choices Lincoln made. Lincoln's ability to maneuver through the complexities of politics to achieve significant milestones, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, remains a valuable lesson in navigating divided moments in history.
In 1855, Abraham Lincoln wrote a letter to his best friend, Joshua Speed. Speed was from a wealthy, slave-owning Kentucky family; Lincoln believed slavery was wrong. You are mistaken about this, Lincoln wrote to Speed. But, differ we must." One way for Lincoln to have dealt with his best friend, I suppose, would be to say you're a horrible person, you're morally wrong, and I shun you," says NPR's Steve Inskeep. "Lincoln did not take that approach, which I think might be a little controversial today."You might know Steve primarily for hosting NPR's Morning Edition. He also writes histories, and his newest book, "Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America," takes a long hard look at Lincoln the politician: the man who went out of his way to build political consensus, even with people whose views he considered noxious. It's a case for why we should collaborate, and yes, compromise with people across the aisle – not because it's nice or the right thing to do, but because it makes our government work. Today on Throughline, a conversation with Steve Inskeep about the contradictions of Abraham Lincoln.