Lincoln's Legacy Resonates

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In this NewsHour discussion hosted by Jeffrey Brown, three historians with different perspectives discuss President Abraham Lincoln's legacy and President Barack Obama's affinity for him.

President Obama honored Lincoln at two ceremonies - one at the U.S. Capitol and the other at a dinner in Springfield, Illinois - and spoke on how Lincoln's legacy made his presidency possible.

Historians Richard Norton Smith, James McPherson and Adele Alexander discuss how Lincoln's presidency helped define America during the most troubled time in its history and how his legacy influences the current president.

Quotes

"What Lincoln never forgot - not even in the midst of Civil War - was that, despite all that divides us - North and South, black and white - we were, at heart, one nation and one people, sharing a bond as Americans that could bend but would not break." - President Barack Obama

"He embodies so many of the things that we Americans like to think of as quintessentially ours: the fact of humble origins, the meager formal education, and yet someone who went on to write imperishable prose, someone who is at the center of the American passion play, which is the Civil War." - Richard Norton Smith, George Mason University

"And now we have Barack Obama. And I think that everybody is totally intrigued by the similar kinds of arc of history that we are perhaps imposing on the Lincoln presidency to see the extent to which there might be similarities between the Obama presidency and the Lincoln presidency." - Adele Alexander, George Washington University

Warm Up Questions

1. Who was Abraham Lincoln?

2. Why is President Lincoln an important president?

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Mr. Obama identifies with President Lincoln?

2. Why are historians so interested in Abraham Lincoln? What about his story is interesting to you?

3. How does Abraham Lincoln embody some of the best aspects of America? Do you think too much attention is paid to just this one person in the entire Civil War drama?

4. What other presidents compare to President Lincoln?

5. What other presidents compare to President Obama?

Comments

Posted:
02/15/09 at
10:43 PM

kathy j : It is most fitting that Pres. Obama relates so to Lincoln...His inspiring Inaug. Address was very moving. I did not vote for him, but he is now my President and I will stand with him and support him in the interest of unity in my Country that seems to want to abuse it's incredible freedoms so as to almost implode upon itself.....I recently verified that I am related to Lincoln thru Mordecai Lincoln, Pres. Lincoln's great-great-grandfather. Its more amazing to me because I grew up during the Civil Rights movement and always supported the cause, as well as always having had a fascination with Lincoln (who doesn't?) and the Civil War (3 of my ancestors fought in it).........More wonderful programming like this, please!

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Posted:
02/15/09 at
10:43 PM

kathy j : It is most fitting that Pres. Obama relates so to Lincoln...His inspiring Inaug. Address was very moving. I did not vote for him, but he is now my President and I will stand with him and support him in the interest of unity in my Country that seems to want to abuse it's incredible freedoms so as to almost implode upon itself.....I recently verified that I am related to Lincoln thru Mordecai Lincoln, Pres. Lincoln's great-great-grandfather. Its more amazing to me because I grew up during the Civil Rights movement and always supported the cause, as well as always having had a fascination with Lincoln (who doesn't?) and the Civil War (3 of my ancestors fought in it).........More wonderful programming like this, please!