Lincoln and the Border States

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An award-winning scholar reexamines the life of Abraham Lincoln, illustrating how his political acumen and leadership evolved during the partisan conflict in pre-Civil War Illinois. William Harris details Lincoln's challenging journey from obscurity to the presidency, revealing that his responses to events were not always wise and his racial attitudes were not free of prejudice. While many scholars view Lincoln as a moderate, Harris argues he identified as a conservative who valued the Founders and advocated for "adherence to the old and tried." By highlighting Lincoln's conservative influences—his Henry Clay Whig background, rural ties, cautious nature, and the political realities of central Illinois—Harris offers new insights into Lincoln's political strategies against slavery. He covers Lincoln's controversial congressional term, his resurgence as the leader of the antislavery coalition, and his Senate campaign against Stephen A. Douglas. Harris emphasizes Lincoln's efforts to unify diverse elements into the Republican Party and his attempts to engage Know Nothing nativists without alienating ethnic groups. Additionally, he provides fresh analysis of Lincoln's presidential nomination, cabinet selection, and his role during the secession crisis. Ultimately, Harris portrays Lincoln as motivated by antislavery sentiments and a commitment to the republic, illustrating how his Illinois political experiences shaped his wartime le