Abraham Lincoln

No other United States President ruled over more tumultuous times than Abraham Lincoln. You can dismiss Roosevelt, Johnson, and Wilson simply because the American Civil War cost more Americans lives than any world conflict that involved American troops. As the 16th American President, Lincoln was immediately greeted with one state after the other leaving the union to form the Confederacy. While many historians point to slavery as the primary reason for the Civil War, the fact remains that the government had to deal with intransigent rebels who wanted economic freedom from the federal government and the right for states to decide how to conduct their internal affairs. Abraham Lincoln was charged with implementing war strategies as well as tactfully moving towards a slave-free America. When the Civil War began to turn for the Confederacy, Lincoln decreed the Emancipation Proclamation, which ostensibly freed all slaves. While there was strong resistance to it, the proclamation paved the way for an amendment to the Constitution that effectively banned the practice. One factor that Lincoln had proven time and time again was that he had superior debating and public speaking skills. However, the enduring Civil War chipped away at his credibility, especially when Lincoln decided to send troops into New York City to quell protests and riots. American Presidents typically do not leave office with the popularity that brought them to the apex of power. Yet, many historians consider Abraham Lincoln to the greatest President in United States history. His story has been told in numerous books and films with the latest one being the 2012 movie, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field.