Abraham Lincoln's Contribution for the US Democracy

Abraham Lincoln played a very pivotal role in the US democracy, as he through his actions and speeches had clearly stated his stand on democracy and through this stand made great contributions to the US democracy and to great extent shaped it in the form of government that is present in the US today. Lincoln’s views on democracy can be seen on many instances such as one of his statement which he wrote on August 1, 1858, in which he stated ‘As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master, This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.’ From these words it is clear that Lincoln understood the meaning of democracy to embrace legal and social relations between humans as well as a political system: a democratic system could never tolerate the undemocratic condition of being masters and slaves as each individual in their own worth is free. Another important action that sheds light on Abraham Lincoln’s idea about democracy is one of his most famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address of November 19, 1863, in which he defined democracy as a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Which is considered till now the most widely accepted and popular definition of democracy. This speech took place when both the Union forces and the Confederacy were at War and the country was still torn apart thus his speech focused on the unity of the United States and equality for all as guaranteed in the constitution because Lincoln was committed to the preservation of the Union and the death of slavery and thus vindicating democracy. Eventually through democracy Lincoln managed to define the creation of a more perfect, more just, and more enduring Union in terms of liberty and economic equality.

Abraham Lincoln's Contribution

Abraham Lincoln has made many contributions to the US democracy and following are some of the contributions of which some although were already stated in the US constitution but were not clearly defined until Lincoln.

Justice

Justice in simple words is equality before the law and it is an important part of democracy and Lincoln believed that every single person has the equal rights to justice which is why he considered the “Emancipation Proclamation” to be “an act of justice” as it provided the slaves the equality that they were deprived of before, in the eyes of law. It is basically the rule of law which is the principle that no one is above the law. The rule of law is fair, just, and impartial laws which serves as a safeguard against tyranny.

Emancipation

The most important contribution that Abraham Lincoln has made for US democracy is providing it with emancipation in its truest form. Although the Declaration of Independence from which originated the American democracy clearly states all men are equal and free with certain unalienable rights which is also implied in the Constitution, and specified in the Bill of Rights. However, it was not true emancipation as slavery was left untouched after independence and they were not freed. While emancipation in its truest form means freedom for all which was achieved only after Lincoln abolished slavery from the US.

Military Organization and Assistance

The role of the military in democracy is of very importance as the principle of political control of armed forces known today is rooted in the concept of a representative democracy which refers to the power of civilian institutions, through popular sovereignty, over the defense and security policy-making structure, including the military leadership. Lincoln greatly helped in the military organization in the US democracy by transforming the President's role as commander in chief and as chief executive into a powerful new position, making the President supreme over both Congress and the courts. His military organization began almost immediately with the Fort Sumter incident when he called out state militias, expanded the army and navy and spent $2 million as military assistance and ordered the arrest and military detention of suspected traitors. Lincoln also used his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to issue the Emancipation Proclamation as a military necessity and war tactic during the Civil War as it allowed African American people to "be received into the armed service of the United States." Which strengthened the northern armed forces during the war.

Human Rights

Democracy provides an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms and in this respect Lincoln has also advocated for the human rights in the US democracy as he wanted human rights — the rights listed in the Declaration of Independence which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be given equally to both black and white people without any kind of discrimination.

Natural and Civil Rights

Another important contribution made by Lincoln for US democracy is his insistence on equality in not only the natural rights which are those universal, fundamental and inalienable rights such as the right to eat the bread they earn with their own hands — for black people, but also civil rights which are an essential component of democracy. meaning that they're guaranteed equal social chances and protection under the law, regardless of the individual's race, religion, or other feature. Such as rights to voting, fair trial, government services, and to public education.