>>> PREVIOUSLY ON LINCOLN,
DIVIDED WE STAND. >> LINCOLN IS DEALING WITH
PERSONAL TRAGEDY AT THE SAME TIME THAT HE IS FACING MILITARY
DEFEAT AFTER MILITARY DEFEAT. >> HE KNOWS THAT BLACK PEOPLE
ARE HIS LAST CARD TO PLAY. LINCOLN ISSUES THE EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION SAYING THAT ON JANUARY 1st, 1863 SLAVES IN SUS
SEEDED STATES ARE NOW FREE. >> CONFEDERATES RESPOND SAYING,
OKAY, FINE, IF WE SEE BLACK MEN CARRYING WEAPONS AGAINST US, WE
WILL CONSIDER THAT THE NORTH’S SLAVE REBELLION.
>> THAT MOMENT IT BECOMES A WAR TO ABOLISH SLAVERY.
>> AND THERE OCCURS THE GREATEST BATTLE OF THE WAR AT GETTIES
BERG ON JULY 1st, 2nd AND 3 IN 1963.
>> PENNSYLVANIA IS AS FAR AS THE NORTH CONFEDERATE ARMY HAS EVER
GOTTEN. IF THE UNION LOST HERE, IT
CLEARED THE WAY FOR LEE TO CONTINUE MARCHING INTO NEW YORK.
THEY COULD CUTOFF THE NORTHERN STATES AND NEW ENGLAND FROM THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE DISASTER.
>> THE STAKES WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.
>> A FIRST DAY ATTACK BY THE CON FEDERAL ARMY SENDS THE UNION
ARMY FLEEING THROUGH TOWN AND THEN UP INTO THE HEIGHTS.
AND THEN ROBERT LEE LEADS A MASSIVE CHARGE AGAINST THE OPEN
FIELD. HE GETS CHARGED WITH UNION
ARTILLERY RAINING DOWN ON THE CON FEDERAL SIDE.
SO IT WAS REALLY A SLAUGHTER HOUSE.
>> THREE DAYS OF FIGHTING, THREE DAYS OF HORRIFIC CASUALTIES IN
WHAT BECOMES THE LARGEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE. >> YOU COULD NOT WALK FROM ONE
END OF THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE OTHER WITHOUT STEPPING ON
CORPSES. >> 50,000 CASUALTIES.
AT THE END LEE HAS TO ADMIT DEFEAT.
>> THE UNION HELD THE DAY. IT WAS MOMENTOUS.
IT WAS DECISIVE. BUT WHAT IT WASN’T WAS WAR
ENDING
. >> WHEN LINCOLN SIGNS THE
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, HE FREES SLAVES FROM THE UNION
TERRITORY AND INVITES THEM TO JOIN THE ARMY.
DESPITE THE INFLUX OF BLACK SOLDIERS, CITIES CONTINUE TO
BURN, MEN CONTINUE TO DIE, AND THE WAR CONTINUES TO RAGE ON.
BY THE END OF 1863, THERE ARE MORE THAN 600,000 AMERICAN
CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. >> THIS WAS THE DESTRUCTION OF
PEOPLE ON A LARGER SCALE IN GREATER NUMBERS THAN IN ANY
OTHER WAR IN AMERICAN CULTURE. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAD
COMPARED TO THIS. AND SOLDIERS WROTE GRAPHIC
ACCOUNTS ABOUT THE CITIES AND HOUSES ON FIRE.
SOME OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS WERE REALLY GORY.
>>BLOATED BODIES, HEAD HORSES PILED UP IN ROWS.
PEOPLE FLOODING THE STREETS AND THERE IS CRYING AND PEOPLE ARE
CREAMING. >> AMPUTEES EVERYWHERE.
>> THEY WRITE THAT THE STENCH IS OVERWHELMING, WHETHER IT IS THE
DEAD THAT PILE UP, THE LACK OF BATHING OPPORTUNITIES.
AND DON’T FORGET DIARRHEA IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AT ONE
POINT. PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU
CAN’T USE A LATRINE UPSTREAM AND DRINK DOWNSTREAM.
>> THE SOLDIERS DO NOT WRITE ABOUT THE ROMANCE OF A CAVALIER
WAR. IT IS THE HARD AND BRUTAL
REALITY OF UGLY DEATH. >> AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF,
LINCOLN OFFERS COMFORT AND LIVIDITY TO EP COOKEEP UP MORAL.
>> TERRIBLE NEWS FROM THE FRONT COMES IN.
LINCOLN BRINGS OUT A FUNNY STUFF TO READ TO HIS CABINET.
AND HE SAYS, GENTLEMEN, WHY DON’T YOU LAUGH?
WITH ALL THIS STRAIN THAT IS UPON ME, IF I DID NOT LAUGH, I
WOULD DIE. HIS DETRACTORS AT THE TIME SAID
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED AND HE’S MAKING
JOKES? >> LOOKING AT LINCOLN AND SAYING
WHERE ARE MY THOUSANDS OF SONS KILLED IN BATTLE?
AND LINCOLN, AN APE‐LIKE FIGURE SITS CONTORTED IN THE CHAIR AND
SAYS, THIS REMINDS ME OF A LITTLE JOKE.
IT WAS A WAY OF SAYING, HE DOESN’T CARE.
HE’S INSENSITIVE. >> BUT I THINK THEY WERE BEING
UNFAIR. WITH EVERYTHING HE WAS GOING
THROUGH, IF HE DIDN’T HAVE HUMOR, IT LITERALLY PROBABLY
WOULD HAVE CRACKED UP. >> LINCOLN BECAME THE CONSOLER
IN CHIEF OF THE UNITED STATES. >> LINCOLN WOULD GO OFF ON HIS
OWN. HE WOULD PERSONALLY WRITE
LETTERS TO THE WIDOWS. HE TOOK IT REALLY SERIOUSLY.
>> HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE DAUGHTER OF A POLITICIAN WHOM HE
HAD KNOWN IN ILLINOIS, FANNY McCULLOUGH.
>> THE MEMORY OF YOUR DEAR FATHER INSTEAD OF IN AGONY WILL
YET BE A SAD, SWEET FEELING IN YOUR HEART OF A PURER AND HOLIER
SORT THAN YOU HAD KNOWN BEFORE. >> HE WRITES ANOTHER LETTER TO
LYDIA OF BOSTON WHO LINCOLN HEARD LOST FIVE SONS.
>> LEAVE YOU ONLY THE CHERISHED MEMORY OF THE LOVED AND LOST AND
THE SOLEMN PRIDE THAT MUST BE YOURS TO HAVE LAID SO COSTLY A
SACRIFICE UPON THE ALTER OF FREEDOM.
>> LIKE ALL TRULY REMARKABLE PEOPLE, HE WAS A SUMMARY OF HIS
CONTRADICTIONS. >> ON THE ONE HAND, HE WAS THIS
ENORMOUS CAPACITY FOR COMPASSION.
ON THE OTHER, HE WAS INCREDIBLY BRUTAL, COLD, CALLOUS WAY OF
THINKING ABOUT WAR MAKING. >> HE WAS NOT SKIDDISH ABOUT
AUTHORIZING EVER INCREASINGLY LETHAL WEAPONS.
LINCOLN WAS A ONE MAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE
ARMY. >> HE STARTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF
GATLING GUNS. HE DEVELOPED THE 19th CENTURY
EQUIVALENT OF NAY PALM. >> THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS AS A
GENTLEMANLY FIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE MASS
ARMIES EQUIPPED WITH THE WEAPONS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
>> THE ADVANCE OF KILLING TECHNOLOGIES COMBINED WITH THE
NONADVANCE OF MILITARY TACTICS, COMMANDERS WERE STILL DOING
MASKED CHARGES. THAT COMBINATION IS WHAT CREATED
THE VAST NUMBER OF CASUALTIES. >> NOWHERE WAS THIS DEADLY
COMBINATION MORE APPARENT THAN IN THE BATTLE OF GETTIES BERG,
WHICH RESULTED IN 51,000 CASUALTYIES IN THREE DAYS.
FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE MASS KA KERR, LINCOLN DELIVERS THE
GETTYING BERG ADDRESS WHERE HE DELIVERS THE ADDRESS ON HALLOWED
GROUND WHERE SO MANY LOST THEIR LIVES.
THEY LOOK TO THE PRESIDENT FOR LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF
TRAGEDY AND UNCERTAINTY. IN THE FALL OF 1863, THE NATION
AT THAT TIME REALLY AT A HORRID POINT.
THE COST OF AN ASTRO NOMINAL END.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHY. >> FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS
AGO, OUR FATHERS BROUGHT FORTH ON THIS CONTINENT A NEW NATION,
CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY AND DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION
THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. >> I AM SAYING THAT THE UNITED
STATES IS ROOTED IN THIS ARGUMENT THAT ALL MEN ARE
CREATED EQUAL AND THE UNFINISHED WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS
TRY TO CONTINUE TO REALIZE THAT VISION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> HE BASICALLY CONVEYED THIS UNITED STATES THAT ALL OF THESE
MEN HAD DIED FOR THE UNION. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT
IS WORTH IT, THAT THE UNION ENDURES, THAT THE COUNTRY
ENDURES. >> 272 WORDS.
LINCOLN HAD JUST SPOKEN FOR TWO AND A HALF MINUTES.
>> IT IS THE ULTIMATE MIC DROP. A VERY SHORT, PERFECT PIECE OF
WRITING. >> IT WAS WIDELY REGARDED AS A
MASTERPIECE. WITHIN A YEAR, IT WAS BEING AN
THOL GUISED IN SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS AND WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IT WITH
AS ONE OF OUR GREAT AMERICAN TEXTS EVER SINCE.
>> THE BRAVE MEN, LIVING AND DEAD, WHO STRUGGLED HERE HAVE
CONSECRATED IT FAR ABOVE OUR POOR POWER TO ADD OR DETRACT.
THE WORLD WITH LITTLE NOTE WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT WE SAY HERE,
BUT THEY WILL NOT FORGET WHAT THEY DID HERE.
>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES LINCOLN A REMARKABLE
LEADER IS LINCOLN FINDS THE SIMPLEST RES NANT LANGUAGE WITH
WHICH TO DEFINE WHAT WAS AT STAKE.
>> BETWEEN THE TIME YOU WAKE UP AND GET YOUR CUP OF COFFEE, YOU
ARE BEEN HIT WITH 900 OPINIONS ON TWITTER OR CABLE NEWS.
WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE WHEN WE NEEDED IT MOST, WE HAD SOMEBODY
WHO HAD THE ABILITY TO MAKE THIS HORRIBLE WAR SOMEHOW WORTHY.
THAT MAYBE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS PART OF THE LIVING
LEGACY OF LINCOLN. LINCOLN AS THE MAN WHO FOUND A
WAY TO MAKE DEMOCRACY SAFE. >> WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THESE
DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN, THAT THIS NATION UNDER GOD
SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM, THAT THAT GOVERNMENT OF
THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT PER
>>> LINCOLN DEALT WITH PASSIVE GENERALS THROUGHOUT THE WAR.
BUT IN THE SUMMER OF 1863, HE IS DETERMINED TO CHANGE HIS
STRATEGY. HE PUTS HIS FAITH IN WESTERN
GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT WHO COMES UP WITH A PLAN TO SEIZE
THE RIVER. >> GRANT UNDERTAKES A BRILLIANT,
DANGEROUS MOVE THAT IS TAKING HIS ARMY ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER, MARCHING DOWN SOUTH, ATTACKING VICSBERG MISSISSIPPI
DIRECTLY AND THEN CAPTURING IT. >> ONCE THE UNION ARMY CAPTURES
VICS BERG, IT WAS IN UNION CONTROL AND THAT WHOLE STRETCH
OF PLANTATION LAND NOW FROM MEMPHIS DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS,
THAT’S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SLAVES THAT WERE RECRUITED INTO
THE ARMY. >> AFTER VICSBERG, GRANT BECOMES
A NATIONAL HERO. SO IN APRIL 1864, LINCOLN CALLS
GRANT TO WASHINGTON AND HOSTS HIM AT A WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION,
WHICH IS SO CROWDED THAT THE LITTLE GENERAL HAS TO BE HOISTED
ON TO A SOFA TO STAND NEXT TO LINCOLN SO HE COULD BE SEEN IN
THE CROWD. >> AND LINCOLN SAYS GRANT
ACHIEVED THE BIGGEST MILITARY VICTORY IN HISTORY AND HE IS NOW
MY MAN. >> AND OFFERS GRANT COMMAND OF
ALL UNION FORCES EAST AND WEST. UNLIKE MEAD WHO WAITED, UNLICK
McCLENEN WHO LEFT THE PENINSULA. HE MOVES FORWARD, CHURNING
BATTLE AFTER BATTLE. AND LINCOLN LOVES IT.
HE SAYS KEEP YOUR BULLDOG GRIP AND CHEW AND CHOKE UNTIL YOU
WIN. >> GRANT HAD SOME MAGNIFICENT
VICTORIES. BUT, STILL, THE SOUTH HAD MAJOR
VICTORIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE WHOLE AREA OF VIRGINIA AND THE
BORDER STATES. AND THE WAR WAS JUST DRAGGING
ON. >> AS THE WAR RAGES INTO 1864,
LIVES CONTINUE TO BE LOST AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE.
THE WAR HAS TAKEN A SEVERE TOLL AND LINCOLN KNOWS IF HE CANNOT
END THE FIGHTING BY NOVEMBER, HE HAS NO CHANCE FOR RE‐ELECTION.
>> IT DOESN’T DO ANYTHING TO SHORTEN THE WAR AND NEITHER DO
THE VICTORIES IN GETTIES BERG AND VICS BERG.
IF ANYTHING, IT LOOKS AS IF THE WAR IS GOING THE WRONG WAY.
AND, SO, BEFORE THE ELECTION OF 1864, LINCOLN IS LESS POPULAR
THAN EVER. THERE IS ALSO A MISCONCEPTION
THAT AMERICA’S HEROES WERE ALWAYS SEEN AS HEROIC.
NOT TRUE. THERE WAS A JUMP LINCOLN
MOVEMENT HEADING INTO HIS ELECTION.
>> THERE WERE A LOT OF NORTHERNERS WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A
TERRIBLE PRESIDENT. >> THERE WERE THOSE WHO
CONDEMNED LINCOLN AS A TYRANT, AS A KING BECAUSE HE USED
EXECUTIVE POWER UNLIKE ANY PRESIDENT BEFORE HIM.
HE IMPRISONED PEOPLE. AND THE LINCOLN ADMINISTRATION
CRACKED DOWN ON NEWSPAPERS, ARRESTING EDITORS, CLOSING DOWN
NEWSPAPER OFFICES BECAUSE THEY BEGAN URGING SOLDIERS NOT TO
REENLIST. SO FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF
THE PRESS IS AGGREGATED ON LINCOLN’S WATCH.
MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY WANT TO NOT RENOMINATE HIM.
AND, SO, NOW THREE YEARS INTO THE WAR, IF LINCOLN IS NOT
RE‐ELECTED, WHAT HAS BEEN THE POINT OF THE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS WHO HAVE BEEN LOST? WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS
STRUGGLE? >> WHILE PRESIDENT LINCOLN TOILS
FOR WAYS TO SECURE HIS LEGACY AND ENSURE THE COUNTRY’S
STRUGGLES HAVE NOT BEEN FOR NAUGHT, MARY LINCOLN IS ALSO
FRANTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF LEAVING THE WHITE HOUSE.
>> SHE ACTUALLY WROTE TO FRIENDS AND SAID, I’M QUITE DESPERATE.
AND HER DESPERATION WAS NOT OVER HAVING TO LEAVE THE WHITE HOUSE,
BUT HAVING TO REVEAL TO HER HUSBAND, THE EXCESSIVE BILLS
THAT SHE HAD ACQUIRED. MARY HAD BECOME VERY, VERY GRIEF
STRICKEN AFTER WILLY’S DEATH. AND SHE WAS REALLY BEING
NEGLECTED. SHE AND LINCOLN WERE HAVING THE
MOST DIFFICULT OF COMMUNICATIONS.
SHE SAW HIM GROWING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO HIS YOUNG MALE
SECRETARIES. SHE FELT OUT OF THE CIRCLE.
IT REALLY LED TO MARY’S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR.
>> MARY ASSUAGES HER GRIEF WITH SHOPPING BINGES.
BUT WITH HER HUSBAND ABSORBED IN THE WAR, ACCUMULATING DEBT GOES
UNNOTICED. BY THE SUMMER OF 1864, SHE OWES
TODAY’S EQUIVALENT OF NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
>> IF LINCOLN IS DEFEATED FOR RE‐ELECTION, THESE BILLS WILL
SUDDENLY BE PRESENTED AND SHE’S TERRIFIED.
SHE EXPLAINS TO HER DRESS MAKER AND GOOD FRIEND ELIZABETH
CHECKLY, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO DRESS PROPERLY BECAUSE THE
PUBLIC PAYS ATTENTION TO WHAT I WEAR AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US
TO BE RESPECTED. AND SHE BREAKS INTO HER TEARS.
AND HER DRESS MAKER SAYS, WELL, DON’T YOU THINK YOUR HUSBAND
SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THESE BILLS? OH, NO, NO.
HE WOULD BE MORTIFIED IF HE KNEW I BEHAVED THIS WAY.
SO IT WAS HIGH STAKES FOR HER. >> WITH LIMITED OPTIONS, MARY
DECIDES TO MONETIZE THE ONLY ASSETS SHE HAS, INFORMATION AND
INFLUENCE. >> SHE WAS ENGAGED IN SOMETHING
AKIN TO EXTORTION AGAINST MEMBERS OF HER HUSBAND’S
ADMINISTRATION WHO HAD BRIBED HER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE
POLITICAL APPOINTMENT AT HER RECOMMENDATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE FELLOW WANTED TO HAVE A VERY LUCRATIVE
POSITION IN NEW YORK CUSTOM HOUSE.
AND, SO, THIS ONE FELLOW, ISAAC HENDERSON, SENDS A DIE
MONOBROOCH TO GIVE TO A JEWELER AND SAYS GIVE THIS TO MRS.
LINCOLN IF SHE CAN PERSUADE HER HUSBAND TO MAKE ME A HIGH
RANKING OFFICIAL. SO SHE GOES TO HER HUSBAND AND
SAYS, DEAR, WILL YOU POINT HIM TO THIS POSITION.
HENDERSON TURNS OUT TO BE A CROOK.
SHE WAS CONSTANTLY GOING TO BAT FOR STRETCHY PEOPLE WHO BRIBED
HER AND GAVE HER PRESENTS. NOW SHE TOLD THEM THAT THEY OWED
HER SOMETHING. AND THEN SHE PADDED PAYROLLS,
FALSIFIED BILLS. SHE SOLD THE MILK FROM THE WHITE
HOUSE COW. SHE ENGAGED IN ALL KINDS OF
FINANCIAL MISDEEDS. >> I ALSO THINK THAT SHE REALLY
IS CHARGED WITH MANY CRIMES THAT ARE A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE
CONTEXT OF THE PERIOD. BUT, AS A MATTER OF FACT, NO ONE
WORKED HARDER FOR LINCOLN’S RE‐ELECTION THAN MARY LINCOLN.
>> WHILE MARY ENTERTAINS THE PRESS, LINCOLN CONTINUES TO
FOCUS ON THE WAR. BUT THE UNION CANNOT TURN THE
TIDE.
>>> DESPITE THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, AS THE 1864
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION APPROACHES, THE FUTURE OF
SLAVERY REMAINS UNCERTAIN. LINCOLN IS UNDER IMMENSE
PRESSURE FROM RADICAL ABOLITIONISTS AND MODERN YUNISTS
TO COME UP WITH A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE ISSUE THAT IS
STILL TEARING THE COUNTRY APART. >> IN 1864, ANNY DAVIS, AN
ENSLAVED WOMAN, SENDS A LETTER THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES AND SIMPLY SAYS, AM I FREE OR NOT?
AND HERE WAS THE CHALLENGE. SHE’S WRITING THIS LETTER FROM
THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLANDMENT ONE OF THE BOARD
STATES TO WHICH THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION DOES NOT APPLY.
>> YOU HAVE ABOUT 800,000 PEOPLE NOT TOUCHED BY THE EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION. >> LINCOLN FREED A LOT OF
SLAVES, BUT THE LAWS ESTABLISHING SLAVERY THE STILL
ON THE BOOKS. >> THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
ONLY LASTED AS LONG AS THE WAR BECAUSE IT WAS A FIT AND
NECESSARY WAR MEASURE. ONCE THE WAR WAS OVER, IT NO
LONGER APPLIED. BUT IT WAS CLEAR YOU COULDN’T
REIMPOSE SLAVERY. >> ONCE THE WAR IS OVER, WHAT
WILL HAPPEN? >> VARIOUS SOLUTIONS HAD BEEN
PROPOSED, INCLUDING GRADUAL EMANCIPATION, COMPENSATION FOR
SLAVE OWNERS AND COLONIZATION INITIATIVES.
BUT MANY NORTHERNERS PUSHED FOR A RETURN TO THE PRE‐WAR STATUS
QUO. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE BLAMED THE
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FOR PROLONGING THE WAR.
SOME REPUBLICANS CAME TO LINCOLN AND SAID, YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE
RE‐ELECTION HERE. WHY DON’T YOU ISSUE A STATEMENT
SAYING IF THE SOUTH IS WILLING TO GIVE UP AND COME BACK, WE’LL
FORGET ABOUT THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND ACCEPT REUNION.
>> LINCOLN KNEW HE HAD TO HOLD TOGETHER A VERY SHAKY COALITION
OF MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THE UNION WHO DID NOT WANT HIM TO
ACT AGAINST SLAVERY AND WHO WERE TREMENDOUSLY ANXIOUS ABOUT THE
PROBLEM OF RACE, AS LINCOLN HIMSELF WAS.
BUT HE’S INCREASINGLY FACING PRESSURE FROM THE RADICAL
REPUBLICANS AND THE ABOLITIONISTS IN HIS OWN PARTY
AS WELL. >> LINCOLN WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN
RADICALS AND REACTIONARIES. REACTIONARIES SAID HE WAS MOVING
TOO FAST. BUT A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE
RADICAL SIDE THOUGHT HE WAS TOO SLOW.
THE 13th AMENDMENT ORIGINATED NOT WITH LINCOLN BUT WITH
ABOLITIONISTS. IT WAS THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL
LOYAL LEAGUE HEADED BY ELIZABETH KEDDY AND SUSAN B. ANTHONY THAT
LAUNCHED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ENDING SLAVERY.
>> THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL LOYAL LEAGUE GATHERED A STAGGERING
400,000 SIGNATURES TO BRING FORTH AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD
ABOLISH SLAVERY IN THE U. S. FOREVER.
>> BUT LINCOLN WAS NOT VERY INVOLVED IN THE INITIAL ASPECTS
OF THAT CAMPAIGN BECAUSE LINCOLN WAS CONCERNED HE WAS GOING TO
LOSE THE ELECTION. >> BY THE SUMMER, THE 13th
AMENDMENT HAS PASSED IN THE SENATE BUT NOT IN THE HOUSE.
HOWEVER, LINCOLN REMAINS POLITICALLY CAUTIOUS AND REFEUDS
TO ALIENATE IS MODERATE BASE OF HIS PARTY BY PUBLICALLY
SUPPORTING UNIVERSAL ABOLITION. >> SO AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GET
THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN 1864, THE RADICAL REPUBLICANS
PUT FORWARD JOHN C. FREE MONTH ON A PLATFORM OF CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT TO ABOLISH SLAVERY. THEY WANTED TO PUSH LINCOLN.
>> HE RECOGNIZED THAT NORTHERNERS GENERALLY SUPPORT
THIS IDEA OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROTECT BLACK
FREEDOM. AND, SO, LINCOLN COMES TO
EMBRACE THE 13th AMENDMENT BECAUSE HE KNOWS IT WILL BE
POLITICALLY SIGNIFICANT AS HE IS FACING A TOUGH RE‐ELECTION
CAMPAIGN. >> OF COURSE LINCOLN IS
RENOMINATED AND THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM NOW CALLS FOR A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ENDING SLAVERY.
IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT ON HOW THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY IS GOING TO
BE RESOLVED. >> LINCOLN WASN’T THE AUTHOR OF
THE ABOLITION MOVEMENT. HE WAS THE TARGET OF THE
ABOLITION MOVEMENT. >> OUR HISTORY IN THE UNITED
STATES HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY HISTORY OF GREAT MEN WHO ARE
THOUGHT TO HAVE CHANGED HISTORY ALMOST BY THEMSELVES.
BUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IS THAT LINCOLN OVER TIME WAS
CONVINCED BY OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE MORE RADICAL THAN HIM.
IT WAS PEOPLE WHO THE LEFT OF LINCOLN HAD THE VISION THAT MOST
CLOSELY ASCRIBES WHO WHAT WE BELIEVE AS RIGHTS TO SAY.
I SAY THAT TO TRY TO ACCURATELY REFLECT HOW CHANGES HAPPENS.
>> WE THINK ABOUT PRESIDENTS AS IF THEY ARE WEATHER MAKERS.
BUT THEY DON’T CREATE HISTORY. THEY SURF HISTORY.
HE’S DRUG TO THEM BY EVENTS AS HE TRIES TO SURF THE WAVES.
AND IT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER YOU
ARE IN OFFICE OR NOT. >> NOW THAT LINCOLN IS BEING
NOMINATED, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OFFICIALLY ADOPTS UNIVERSAL
ABOLITION AS ITS PLATFORM. AFTER DECADES OF MODERATE AND
CONCILIATORY EFFORT ON SLAVERY, LINCOLN BECOMES A FULL‐FLEDGED
ABOLITIONIST. >> ONCE HE GOES ALL IN IN
SUPPORT OF THE 13th AMENDMENT, THERE IS A COMMITMENT.
AND HE GETS BOLDER WITH TIME, GOING INTO THE 1864 ELECTION HE
GROWS INTO HIS POLITICAL BELIEFS AS AN ABOLITIONIST.
>> HE HAD SEEN WHAT BLACK MEN HAD DONE TO HELP PRESERVE THE
UNION. AND LINCOLN UNDERSTOOD THAT THE
NATION OWED A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THESE MEN.
HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD TO GET RID OF SLAVERY IF YOU WERE GOING
TO ENSURE THAT NONE OF THIS HAPPENED AGAIN.
>> THE AMENDMENT FAILS TO PASS IN THE HOUSE, AND ITS FUTURE
HINGES ON THE RESULT OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION.
RUNNING AGAINST LINCOLN ON THE DEMOCRATIC CRITIC IS HIS
ADVERSARY. >> GEORGE McCLENEN IS NOT
NECESSARILY IMMUNE TO THOUGHTS OF HAVING ONE SLAVE COUNTRY AND
ONE FREE COUNTRY. HE WOULD HAVE CANCELED THE
EMANCIPATION AND SEEN IF WE RESTORED THE STATUS QUO WITH
STATUS IN THE SOUTH PERMANENTLY PROTECTED.
AFTER EVERYTHING THAT’S HAPPENED, WOULD LINCOLN HIKE THE
DECISION TO MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE ON THE FUTURE OF THIS COMPANY,
ON THE FUTURE OF SLAVERY? NO.
>> ULTIMATELY, LINCOLN’S POSITION ON UNIVERSAL ABOLITION
IS IRRELEVANT IF HE CANNOT TURN THE WAR AROUND BY NOVEMBER.
HE WILL LOSE THE ELECTION AND ALL HOPE FOR A UNITED FREE
>>> DURING THE SUMMER BEFORE THE 1864 ELECTION, THE UNION ARMY
SUFFERS DEVASTATING DEFEATS. NEARLY 65,000 UNION SOLDIERS ARE
LOST IN JUST THESE THREE MONTHS ALONE.
LINCOLN IS SURE THIS CRUSHES ANY HOPE OF RE‐ELECTION.
>> HE THOUGHT OUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH HIS DEFEAT, AND HE
WROTE A LETTER LAYING OUT HOW HE WOULD FIGHT DURING THE
TRANSITION TO WIN THE WAR. HE FOLDED THE LETTER UP.
HE GLUED IT. AND HE ASKED EVERY CABINET
SECRETARY TO SIGN ON TO THE LETTER WITHOUT KNOWING ITS
CONTENT. BUT THEN BEFORE 1864, HIS MANY
VICTORIES IN THE VALLEY, FAR GOT IS WINNING BATTLES IN MOBILE
BAY, SHERMAN HAS CAPTURED ATLANTA, THE TIDE HAS TURNED.
>> DESPITE THE MILITARY WINS, ON THE EVENING OF THE 1864
ELECTION, LINCOLN IS FRAUGHT WITH WORRY.
BUT AS THE NUMBERS COME IN, STATE BY STATE IT BECOMES CLEAR
THAT SHERMAN’S VICTORY HAD SECURED THE COUNTRY’S FAITH IN
LINCOLN’S PRESIDENCY. >> AND, SO, AGAINST THE ODDS,
AGAINST EXPECTATIONS BY LINCOLN HIMSELF AND MEMBERS OF HIS OWN
CABINET, LINCOLN WINS RE‐ELECTION.
IT IS A TRIUMPHANT VICTORY. HE WINS WITH A GREATER MARGIN
THAN HE HAD WON FOUR YEARS BEFORE.
HE’S PULLED OFF THE ENORMOUS GAMBLE OF CONDUCTING AN ELECTION
DURING A CIVIL WAR. >> NOW THAT HIS PRESIDENCY IS
SECURED FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, LINCOLN IS DETERMINED TO PUSH
THE 13th AMENDMENT THROUGH THE HOUSE BEFORE THE END OF THE WAR.
HIS ADVISERS URGE HIM TO BE PATIENT AND TO WAIT FOR THE NEW
REPUBLICAN CONGRESS TO BE SWORN IN.
BUT LINCOLN REFUSES. HE GETS TO WORK SECURING THE 112
VOTES NEEDED TO PASS THE AMENDMENT.
>> HE WANTS THIS DONE. >> LINCOLN KNOWS THAT ONCE THE
WAR IS ENDED, THERE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH POLITICAL WILL TO FOLLOW
THROUGH WITH THE END OF SLAVERY. >> SO HE IS PULLING EVERY TRICK
OUT OF THE BOOK, EVERY FAVOR HE CAN MUSTER TO GET CONGRESS TO
PASS THIS LEGISLATION QUICKLY. >> LINCOLN USES A LOT OF
INFLUENCE TO TRY TO GET VOTES. PARTICULARLY FROM BORDER STATE
DEMOCRAT, NORTHERN DEMOCRATS WHEN HE’S BEEN REPEATED FOR
RE‐ELECTION BECAUSE THEY WOULDN’T VOTE FOR IT EVEN IF
THEY VOTED AGAINST IT THE LAST TIME AROUND.
>> IT IS A MONUMENTAL EFFORT OF POLITICAL PERSUASION.
LINCOLN IS NOT ABOVE TWISTING ARMS.
>> HE PROMISED THEM OFFICES. HE PROMISED THEIR RELATIVES
OFFICES. THERE IS SOME PEOPLE WHO SAY
THERE WAS ILLEGAL BRIBERY GOING ON.
>> AND IN JANUARY, 1865, THE AMENDMENT PASSED.
IT HAD TO BE RATIFIED. THE AFRICAN‐AMERICAN POPULATION
WAS HENCE FORWARD FREE. >> THE 13th AMENDMENT PASSES BY
A VOTE OF 119‐56. >>ED THAT USE STEVENS, THE GREAT
RADICAL REPUBLICAN SAID THIS GREAT ACT WAS PASSED BY THE
LOWEST MEANS POSSIBLE BY THE MOST HONEST MAN IN AMERICA.
( HIS ROLE SHOWS A REMARKABLE CHANGE OVER THE COURSE OF
LINCOLN’S CAREER. >> YOU COULD SEE THAT HIS THINK
THINKING WAS CHANGING. LINCOLN HAD EXPERIENCES THAT LED
HUM TO SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY.
LINCOLN WAS INTELLIGENT. HE WAS PRAGMATIC, AND HE DID
EVOLVE. IT IS NOT A CRITICISM OF HIM TO
SAY HE EVOLVED. IT WOULD BE A CRITICISM TO SAY
HE WAS A MAN WHO NEVER CHANGED HIS MIND, NEVER LEARNED
ANYTHING. >> WITH A STRING OF UNION
VICTORIES AND THE PASSING OF THE 13th AMENDMENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT
THE WAR IS ALMOST OVER AND THAT A FREE AMERICA IS ON THE
HORIZON. AFTER A FIRST TERM PLAGUED WITH
TURMOIL AND TRAGEDY, AN EXHAUSTED LINCOLN IS FINALLY
ABLE TO LOOK FORWARD
>>> ON SATURDAY MARCH 4th, 1865 THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS BRAVED
THE RAIN TO STAND AT THE FOOT AT THE NEWLY COMPLETED CAPITOL DOME
TO HEAR THE PRESIDENT DELIVER HIS SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
>> IT IS THE FIRST INTEGRATED CROWD.
IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT BLACK SOLDIERS ARE INTERMINGLING WITH
THEIR FAMILIES IN UNIFORM WITH WHITE SOLDIERS.
IT’S BEEN RAINING, AND LITERALLY AS HE SPEAKS THE CLOUDS PART AND
THE SUNLIGHT SHINES DOWN, AND HE GIVES WHAT IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS
THE GREATEST INAUGURAL SPEECH OF ALL TIME.
>> BOTH PARTIES DEPRY KATED WAR, BUT ONE OF THEM WOULD MAKE WAR
RATHER THAN LET THE NATION SURVIVE AND THE OTHER WOULD
ACCEPT WAR RATHER THAN LET IT PERISH.
AND THE WAR CAME. >> ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND
THINGS ABOUT THE SECOND INAUGURAL IS LINCOLN’S EMBRACE
OF THE IDEA OF LETRY BUTTIVE JUSTICE.
>> HE TALKS ABOUT THE SUFFERING THAT AMERICA IS UNDERGOING AS
BEING THE PRICE WE PAID FOR SLAVERY, NORTH AND SOUTH.
>> HE SAYS ALL OF US HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS TERRIBLE CRIME
OF SLAVERY, AND THIS WAR IS A JUDGMENT ON THE ENTIRE NATION
FOR ITS COMPLICITY. >> YET, IF GOD WILLS THAT IT
CONTINUE UNTIL ALL THE WEALTH PILED BY THE BONDS MEN’S 250
YEARS OF UNREQUITED TOIL SHALL BE SUNK AND UNTIL EVERY DROP OF
BLOOD DRAWN WITH A LASH SHALL BE PAID FOR ANOTHER DRAWN WITH THE
SWORD SWORD.
>> HE BALANCES THE BLOOD DRAWN BY THE SWORD, THE TERRIBLE DEATH
IN THE CIVIL WAR, WITH THE BLOOD DRAWN BY THE LASH, THE VIOLENCE
OF SLAVERY. HE’S TELLING PEOPLE, DON’T
FORGET VIOLENCE DIDN’T BEGIN IN 1861 IN THIS COUNTRY.
VIOLENCE BEGAN 250 YEARS AGO WHEN THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY
WAS CREATED. >> THE WAR REPRESENTS THE
CONSEQUENCES OF SLAVERY FOR THIS NATION.
>> AND ONLY IN THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH DOES HE PIVOT TOWARDS
RECONCILIATION AND REUNIFICATION.
>> WITH MALL LAS TOWARD NONE, WITH CHARITY FOR ALL, WITH
FIRMNESS IN THE RIGHT AS GOD GIVES US TO SEE THE RIGHT, LET
US STRIVE TO FINISH THE WORK WE ARE IN, TO BIND UP THE NATION’S
WOUNDS, TO CARE FOR HIM WHO SHALL HAVE BORN THE BATTLE AND
FOR HIS WIDOW AND HIS OR FAN TO DO ALL WHICH MAY ACHIEVE AND
CHERISH A JUST AND LASTING PEACE AMONG OURSELVES AND WITH ALL
NATIONS. >> THAT LAST PHOTOGRAPH ISARAGRA
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPHS IN POLITICS TODAY.
WHAT LINCOLN IS SAYING IS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO STOP THE
CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS IN HIS OWN
POLITICAL PARTY WHO ARE HELL BENT AGAINST VENN GENG ON THE
SOUTH. THEY WANT TO RIP THE ROOTS OF
SOUTHERN SOCIETY OUT. LINCOLN WANTS TO WIN THE PEACE
AS WELL AS WIN THE WAR. THAT SETS THE STAGE FOR THE NEXT
FIVE WEEKS OF HIS LIFE. >> FED RICK DOUGLAS WENT OFF TO
THE WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION THAT FOLLOWED THE INAUGURATION.
AND LINCOLN SEES HIM, AND HE CALLS OUT FOR EVERYONE TO HEAR.
THERE IS MY FRIEND, DOUGLAS. DOUGLAS, I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU.
>> AND LINCOLN WELCOMES HIM RIGHT IN AND GOES, THIS IS THE
PERSON WHOSE OPINION I VALUE MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.
JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED AND THEN
TO HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WELCOME YOU IN.
THAT HAS TO BE A PROFOUND EXPERIENCE.
AND THEN LINCOLN SAYS, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE SPEECH.
AND FREDERICK DOUGLAS SAYS, IT WAS A SACRED EFFORT.
HE WASN’T JUST RESPONDING TO THE WORDS.
LINCOLN HAS CONDEMNED SLAVERY MORALLY BEFORE.
BUT NOW WHEN HE SAYS SLAVERY IS WRONG, HE’S SAYING IT HAVING
SIGNED THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND THE 13th
AMENDMENT, REALLY COMMITTED IN A NEW WAY.
THE SPEECH WITHOUT THOSE OTHER ACTIONS WOULD NOT HAVE
>>> UP TO FOUR YEARS OF DEVASTATING CIVIL WAR, YOU LIS
CEASE S. GRANTS CUTS A SUPPLY LINE TO THE CAPITOL.
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO ABANDON RICHMOND.
>> RICHMOND WILL FALL ON APRIL 2nd OF 1865.
LEE SENDS A LETTER THAT HE’S GOING TO RETREAT, THAT THEY NEED
TO EVACUATE THE CITY. CONFEDERATES ACTUALLY SET THEIR
CAPITOL CITY ON FIRE IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE UNITED
STATES ARMY TO GET HOLD OF THEIR KEY SUPPLIES.
>> SO LINCOLN DECIDES HE’S GOING TO GO TO RICHMOND WITH HIS SON
TAD ON HIS SON TAD’S 12th BIRTHDAY.
>> QUITE A BIRTHDAY PRESENT. >> WITH HIS YOUNGEST SON BY HIS
SIDE, LINCOLN MAKES HIS WAY TO THE FALLEN ENEMY CAPITOL.
NOW SOLDIERS AND IN RUINS. >> THEY ARE BASICALLY
UNACCOMPANIED. A TRIP THAT WOULD NEVER BE
OKAYED BY THE SECRET SERVICE TODAY.
AND THEY BEGIN TO WALK UP INTO THE CITY, WHICH HAS BEEN
DEDICATED TO HIS DESTRUCTION AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE UNION FOR
FOUR YEARS. THE SLAVE MARKETS ARE BURNS ON
THE RIGHT SIDE AS HE HOLDS TAD’S HANDS ON THE LEFT.
>> HE’S RECOGNIZED RIGHT AWAY. A VERY DISTINCTIVE LOOKING MAN,
OBVIOUSLY. THE BLACK COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT
HIS PRESENCE MEANS. THEY ARE FREE.
THIS IS EMANCIPATION DAY. AND THEY FLOOD THE STREETS.
>> AND THEY RACED UP TO HIM, SOME KNELT TO HIM, PRAYING,
CRYING, TUGGING AT HIS COAT, AND HE SAID, PLEASE DO NOT KNEEL TO
ME. YOU MUST KNEEL ONLY TO GOD AND
THANK HIM FOR YOUR FREEDOM. AND THAT WAS THE DAY ABRAHAM
LINCOLN SAW FOR HIMSELF THE IMPACT OF HIS PRESIDENCY AND THE
PROCLAMATION ON REAL HUMAN BEINGS.
>> LINCOLN IS GIVEN A CAPTURED CONFEDERATE FLAG, AND HE GIVES
IT TO HIS SON TAD AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO REMIND HIM, THIS IS
WHAT WE DID BY DOING RIGHT. >> ONE WEEK AFTER ROBERT E.
LEE’S RETREAT, GRANT’S BAAAL ONINTERCEPTS HIS ARMY IN
VIRGINIA. LEE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT
DEFEAT DEFEAT.
>> GRANT OFFERS A VERY GENEROUS AND MAGNANIMOUS SET OF PEACE
TERMS. THE SOLDIERS WILL BE PARDONED.
>> GRANT SAYS YOU HAVE TO SURRENDER YOUR WEAPONS, BUT
WE’LL ALLOW ALL OF YOUR MEN TO TAKE THEIR SOURCES.
WE’LL GIVE YOU PROVISIONS. AND THEN YOU JUST GO HOME.
>> RADICAL REPUBLICANS LOST THEIR MINDS.
THEY THOUGHT WE SHOULD CONFISCATE THEIR LANDS.
WE SHOULD CONFISCATE THEIR ESTATES.
WE SHOULD MAKE IT SO THAT THE SOUTH NEVER RISES AGAIN.
BUT LINCOLN HAD NO STOMACH FOR RETRIBUTION.
HE WANTED TO FIND THE WAY TO RESTORE THE UNION.
>> AFTER LEE SIGNED THE FINAL TERMS, HE STOOD UP AND SHOOK
HANDS WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF GRANT’S GENERAL STAFF.
WHEN IT CAME TO KOL NOLL ELI PARKER WHO WAS A NATIVE.
HE WAS TAKEN ABACK FOR A MINUTE. HE SAYS, OH, I SEE, KERR NOLL
THERE IS AT LEAST ONE REAL AMERICAN IN THE ROOM.
AND PARKER LOOKS AT HIM IN THE EYE AND SAYS, GENERAL LEE, TODAY
WE’RE ALL AMERICANS. >> WORD OF LEE LAYING DOWN ARMS
TRIGGERS A SERIES OF SURROUNDERS ACROSS THE SOUTH.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS FINALLY ABLE TO BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF AS
THE FOUR‐YEAR WAR COMES TO A CLOSE.
>> LINCOLN IS KPEGEXHILARATED TH WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK OUT THE
PROBLEM OF RECONSTRUCTION. AS MARY LATER RELATES, HE TURNED
TO HER AND HE SAID, THE WAR IS OVER, AND THIS DAY I AM HAPPY.
>> BUT THE GLORY OF VICTORY IS BRIEF.
THE VIOLENCE OF THE CIVIL WAR THAT TOOK MORE THAN 800,000
AMERICAN LIVES WILL CLAIM ONE MORE.