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Historical Presentations |
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John Voehl is a
Chautauqua Speaker for the Colorado Endowment for the
Humanities. Most
presentations on this tab are done in the Chautauqua
format. |
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The Historical Presentations listed below focus on
what Lincoln spoke, wrote, or what were true of his life
and times. This is the historic Abraham Lincoln
speaking in the first person. |
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The Question and Answer sessions that follow
any Lincoln presentation have become legendary,
embracing unexpected aspects of the Lincolns' life and
times |
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This list is continually growing, sometimes based on a
request. What subject would you like Lincoln to speak
about? |
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Presentations that involve Mrs. Mary Lincoln are in
red type. |
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Timing |
Presentation Titles |
General Presentation Outlines |
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Seasonal presentations that are most applicable at that
time of the year |
Feb |
President's Day |
Lincoln talks through the 15 Presidents that preceded him, describing their
importance and his own connections with them. He also provides the highlights of
his own 16th Presidency, including the Civil War, emanicipation and Gettysburg Address. |
Feb |
3-Sets of 3-Slaves who dared to change the USA |
3- Slaves each: A. Came to Ft. Sumter but were returned to their masters.
B. Came to Fortree Monroe and were kept and protected as Contrabands, and
C. betrayed Jefferson Davis. |
March Nat. Women's Month |
Anna Ella Carrol, a woman far ahead of her time. |
Anna Ella Carrol stepped beyond the barriers of gender and postion to be a major voice in
the political arena of Lincolns time. |
March |
Communication to the People of Sangamon County |
Lincoln's 1st public political message on March 9th, 1832, in his unsuccessful bid
for a seat in the Illinois Legislature. What did the 23-year old have to say? |
April |
Lincoln's Last Two Weeks |
Lincoln himself walks you through the momentous events in his last two weeks.
from the March 27th meeting with Gens. Grant and Sherman and Admiral Foote
at City Point, until the Lincolns were seated at Ford's Theatre on Good
Friday April 14, 1865. |
April |
Lincoln's Happiest Day |
Listen to Abe & Mary Lincoln's last full conversation on the evening of April 14,
1865, just before they leave the White House for Ford's Theatre. |
May Mother's Day |
Angel Mother |
Lincoln said, “All I am or ever hope to be, my Angel
Mother made me”. Which mom did he mean & how did it
happen? |
Memorial Day |
My
Soldiers |
Waiting for, praying for, finding humor in, protecting,
visiting, praying for, thanking, saying goodbye and
eulogizing My Soldiers |
Memorial Day |
Decoration Day |
Decoration Day arose during and after the Civil War, becoming Memorial Day
in the 20th Century. Lincoln introduces it's roots at Gettysburg, Arlington
and numerous cemeteries, north and south. |
June, Flag Day |
US Flags of Lincoln's LifeDay |
The number of US States more than doubled during Lincoln's life. Let him tell
you about these newly formed states, slave and free, and the controversy their
admission brought. |
June |
Father's Day |
What was the legacy of Fathers in Abraham Lincoln's life? Learn of his Father
and Grandfather, Lincoln himself as a father, and which of his four-sons also
became a father. |
June |
Juneteenth |
Slave owners in Texas were successful in keeping thier slaves ignorant of
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Their slaves finally found out in the
"teen" days of June 1865, which has since been celebrated as "Juneteenth". |
July |
Independence Day |
The 'July 4ths' of Lincoln life ... his passion for the
Declaration of Independence, speaking at Independence
Hall, Gettysburg Address |
Oct |
Lincoln Ghost Tour |
All Lincoln things dark and mysterious, family superstitions, Indian Mad stone,
Willie's crypt in WDC, White House Seances, funeral train, the several movements
and attempted theft of Lincoln's remains in Springfield, 1901 coffin opening. |
Fall, Elections |
On the Campaign Trail with the Lincolns |
Here about the issues and difficulties of his unsuccessful 1858 Senate and
successful 1860 Presidental campaigns, in a deeply divided America. |
Nov. |
Thanksgiving |
Lincoln's Thanksgiving proclamations setting the
precedent for today's annual observation, the remarkable
lady who asked him to do it and pardoning the
Thanksgiving turkey. |
Dec. |
Christmas in the Lincoln White House |
Experience 5-Christmases with the Lincolns (1860-1864).
Learn how they spent Christmas; celebrating, giving,
working to save the country and how they had a key role
in the image of Santa Claus we have today. |
Mrs. Mary Lincoln is involved |
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Mary Todd Lincoln Early Years |
A first-person presentation by Mary Lincoln about her childhood, education,
family life, politcal connections and life in the White House while Abraham
Lincoln was the 16th Presidentduring the US Civil War. Mrs. Lincoln will
appear in period dress. |
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Childhood Memories |
Abraham and Mary Lincoln recall their childhoods, their
family lives, tragedies, educations and slavery
experiences |
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1863 |
A review of the year 1863 by President and Mary Todd
Lincoln in the first person. |
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An
Evening with Mary Lincoln |
Mary Lincoln in a one-act play, as she prepares to leave
the White House on Good Friday April 14, 1865 for Ford's
Theatre. |
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Mary Lincoln's Trunk 1860's |
A behind the scenes look at Pamela Voehl's wardrobe as a
Mary Lincoln presenter, with discussion of Victorian and
Civil War women's fashions |
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Mary Lincoln's Trunk 1870-1900 |
A behind the scenes look at Pamela Voehl's wardrobe as a post-civil war Mary
Lincoln presenter, with discussion of Victorian and Edwardian women's fashions. |
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Lincoln's Happiest Day |
Listen to Abe & Mary Lincoln's last full conversation on
the evening of April 14, 1865, just before they leave
the White House for Ford's Theatre. |
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On the 1858 Senate and 1860 Presidential Campaign Trail with the Lincoln's |
Hear about the issues and difficulties of his unsuccessful 1858 Senate and
successful 1860 Presidential campigns, in a deeply divided America. |
Solo or Duo, these can be done by
Abe alone, or both Lincolns |
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Thanksgiving |
Lincoln's Thanksgiving proclamations setting the
precedent for today's annual observation, the remarkable
lady who asked him to do it and pardoning the
Thanksgiving turkey. |
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Christmas in the Lincoln White House |
Experience 5-Christmases with Abe and Mary Lincoln
(1860-1864). Learn how they spent Christmas;
celebrating, giving, working to save the country and how
they had a key role in the image of Santa Claus we have
today. |
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Log Cabin to White House, formerly called Historic - the
most popular |
Education |
Their varied experiences and his life long passion for
learning. |
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Whiskers |
The wonderful true story of the 11-year old girl who wrote just
before the 1860 election, saying he needed whiskers. |
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Presidency |
Election highlights, inaugural
speech, Gettysburg address |
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Growth of Territories and States in Lincoln's Lifetime |
Upon Lincoln's birth there were 17-States and the territories only out to the
Rocky Mountains. At the end of Lincoln's presidency there were 36-States and
territories stretching to the Pacific Oceans, together making the boundaries of
the current lower 48-States. Learn how it happened. |
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Lincoln and his Asst. Secretary John M Hay |
Their history through Lincoln's eyes starting before Lincoln became a
Presidental candidate continuing through Lincoln's passing. |
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Adventures with horses |
Abe and Mary Lincoln's equine adventures; on the farm, moving to
Illinois, dating on horseback, riding the circuit in Illinois, saw
horse trade, accidents, Ole Bob, Ole Abe, and more! |
Chronological |
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Kansas Nebraska Act 1854 |
Lincoln's re-emergence into politics, Bleeding
Kansas and how these events brought the onset of Civil
War. |
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House Divided 1858 |
His colleagues told him not to make this speech because
it would ruin his prospects for political success.
Lincoln ignored them. |
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Lincoln Douglas Debates 1858 |
Seven debates, three hours each, with crowds up to
twenty thousand across Illinois, but followed closely by
all the US. |
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1859 Trips out West |
In August Lincoln traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa. In Dec/Nov he went to
Kansas. Why did he go? What happened at each location? |
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1859, the calm before the Storm |
The powder keg that would become the US Civil War was quiet for most
of 1859. Lets see what John Brown and R.E. Lee were doing before they met in
October at Harper's Ferry. VA |
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1860
Presidential Election |
Cooper Union visit in NYC, Republican Convention, front
porch campaign, whiskers, election, secession and travel
to inauguration |
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Growth of Territories and States in Lincoln's Lifetime |
Upon Lincoln's birth there were 17-States and the territories only out to the
Rocky Mountains. At the end of Lincoln's presidency there were 36-States and
territories stretching to the Pacific Ocean, together making the bondaries of the
current lower 48-States. Learn how it happened. |
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Lincoln and his Asst. Secretary John M Hay |
Their history through Lincoln's eyes starting before Lincoln became
a Presidental candidate continuing through Lincoln's passing. |
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Presidential Qualifications & Highlights |
The 16th President lacked the resume credentials of all
others, but he became possibly the greatest of all. How
did this happen? |
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First Inaugural Speech 1861 |
After seeing 7-deep south slave states secede and form
the Confederate States of America, President Lincoln
finally has the executive power to try and save the
nation with his words |
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The
Emancipation Proclamation |
Learn of Lincoln's promise, purpose and timing, the
bloodiest day in US History that allowed its public
release, how he prepared the country, the New Years Day
1863 signature and its reception in Boston. |
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The Gettysburg Address and the Rest of the Story |
Learn of Lincoln's decision to change commanders just before the battle, his
prayer, vow and consecration. Learn about the battle, the cemetery dedication,
his several jokes and stories told along the way, and Lincoln's "few appropriate
remarks" |
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Emancipation & Generals |
Lincoln's role and motives in freeing the slaves, the
several generals he chose, the reasons why and what they
thought of Emancipation |
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Lincoln's 1864
Re-election |
Lincoln reviews the summertime national dissatisfaction
with his war policy and the horrendous casualties, his
own reflections on this dilemma, the military and
election results. |
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The
13th Constitutional Amendment |
Lincoln knew that his Emancipation Proclamation was just
an executive order and was subject to the whim of future
administrations and the public mood.
In Jan 1865, he sensed that time was critical and
he tackled the opportunity to make emancipation
permanent |
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Second Inaugural Speech 1865 |
Unique in all USA history; when a victory speech was
expected, Lincoln details what he has learned; God was
right and both North and South were wrong. |
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The
Assassination |
What did Lincoln know and not know of the happenings
that night at Ford's Theatre?
Learn of Booth's escape, hiding, capture and
more. |
General |
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Political History |
His first speech, political loses, Long Nine, romance &
a duel, the Republican party born, and key Presidential
speeches including the Gettysburg Address |
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Discovering God's Gifts |
This is John Voehl's testimony of how God brought me the gift of Lincoln, in my
45th year. |
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Lincoln’s Laws |
Besides emancipation and unity, his laws united a
country with rails, gave virgin land to the poor and
built universities |
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Lincoln the Railroad Lawyer |
The development of railroads in Lincoln's lifetime,
landmark litigation, expansion, political intrigue with
the Illinois Central, Rock Island and the
transcontinental railroads. |
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Lincoln and the Constitution |
The Founding Fathers did not want to tarnish our Constitution with the
word "Slavery". They spoke of it three times, without using the S-word.
What does it say? What were the consequences? |
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Lincoln and the Supreme Court |
Learn the evolving structure of Supreme Court through Lincoln's term,
why it fluctuated between 6 and 10 Justices; how he came to appoint 4 new
Associate and 1 new Chief Justice, and led a Congressional reform
in the function of the Supreme Court. |
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Lincoln in the Portraiture |
Lincoln poses for your art students to sketch, draw or paint,
while sharing his personal history of art images. |
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Restoring Peace to our Distracted Country |
Lincoln was given this charge at Independence Hall
before his inauguration, and the charge remains today. |
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Country in Crisis |
Based on the following sentence from his first
inaugural: "Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and
a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this
favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best
way, all our present difficulties" |
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Lincoln targeted in Ft. Stevens Battle |
Hear of the only time in US History that a sitting
President has been personally fired on by an enemy in a
time of war (Jul. 1864). Learn the detailed story
through Lincoln's own perspective, including the
northernmost rebel victory. |
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Battle Hymn of the Republic |
The remarkable account of how God guided the melody,
poem and song to come together at the White House during
the Civil War. |
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The
Song of the USCT before the Crater Battle |
Join the Negro Soldiers of the 4th Corps US Colored
Troops when they were notified to lead the Union charge
in the battle that came to be known as The Crater (Jul.
1864), and how they created a song to express their
feelings and mission. |
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Revolution, Reaction and Reform |
The USA started with a revolution, then had a series of
reactions and attempted reforms on slavery, building up
to it's Civil War abolition. |
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Maritime |
Lincoln's maritime history from flatboats, to Talisman
Captain, a patent, Monitor vs. Merrimac, Hunley and
CSS Hunley |
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1st Colorado
Volunteers |
Lincoln congratulates the troops after their 1862
victory at Glorietta Pass NM and provides the status of
the war in the East. |
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Volunteerism |
Lincoln cites volunteer blessings in his life and the
Civil War |
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Lincoln & African Americans |
The evolving history of Lincoln's involvement with
Negroes, slavery and emancipation. |
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Lincoln & Native American Indians |
Lincoln’s experiences, protection, mistakes and
compassion towards Native Americans. |
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Kansas, Kaw & Lincoln |
Kansas was in the Louisiana Purchase before Lincoln was
born and its slavery disposition evolution began in his
childhood, and projected him into national recognition.
Lincoln visited the Kansas territory in 1859. |
General |
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Short Vignettes |
Lincoln snapshots in approx. 5 minute windows:
Goodbye to Springfield,
Independence Hall, 1st and 2nd Inaugurals, Dec
62’ Message to Congress, Gettysburg Address, Education,
166th Ohio, President's Day, Wrestling matches. |
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Liberty |
Lincoln explores this crucial word, what is means to him
versus what it meant to the southern rebels |
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Moral Courage |
Lincoln said he had little physical courage, but had
never lacked for moral courage.
How did that mark his life? |
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Self
Control |
Illustrated with positive and negative examples
from Lincoln’s life. |
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Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance |
These traits didn't just mark Lincoln's life, they were
nearly obsessions.
How and when did they start?
When did the world take notice? |
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Hunting & Fishing |
Lincoln’s experiences with guns, knives and boats. |
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Jokes & Stories |
Humor was his tonic for his own melancholy and a strong
tool to impart his messages.
That reminds me of a story … |
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Dressing Mr. Lincoln |
This is a detailed explanation on the historicity of
Voehl's Lincoln suit (frock coat, waist coat and
trousers) narrated by designer and seamstress Denise
Winter, with Lincoln as the speaking model. |
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Life
Stories |
Pick an age or year in Lincoln's life and learn what was
going on in his world, through his eyes. |
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A
Theatrical Discussion |
Actors call it Character Immersion. Voehl talks and
answers questions about how he presents Lincoln. What did John have to
overcome to be Lincoln? How did it happen? |
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Teen
Conflict |
Lincoln had pivotal and devastating teenage experiences,
hear of his good and bad decisions, how he learned from
and was shaped by them. |
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Children's Stories |
Tailored to keep the attention of preschool and primary
grade kids, these stories speak of Lincoln's childhood,
children's antics in Springfield and in the White House,
entertaining and teaching morals. |
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Grace Bedell in NY, CO & Kansas |
The story of the little girl who told Lincoln he should
grow whiskers, and her life story. |
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Christian Testimony |
An Illinois pastor tasked a local businessman to go ask
President Lincoln, "Do you love Jesus?".
How did he react and respond? |
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Finding God in the White House |
Follow Lincoln's spiritual journey from Springfield, to
the White House to God. |
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Ballots to Bullets |
In 1861 seven slave states refused to accept the result of a free and fair
1860 presidental election. They seceded and started the civil war,
appealing to bullets, where they lost at ballots. What did Lincoln have to say
about this? What happens to a representative government, when the
minority who lost the election, uses war tactics to overthrow the will
of the majority? |
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The following presentation outlines reside in the
Voehls' thinking and outlines. They are waiting for
someone to request them. Maybe your group will be the
first to hear one of them. |
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The Widow Mary Lincoln |
Widow Mary Lincoln reflects on her life after the
assassination of her beloved husband, sharing her
experiences in a life filled with yet more tragedy and
heartbreak. |
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Mr.
& Mrs. Lincoln, their early years together |
They started marriage on shaky ground.
They were poor and unsuited in temperament and
background, both with huge ambitions.
Who opposed the marriage and doubted it would
work? How did
they survive? |
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Mary
Lincoln on Education & Politics |
Her father's perspective, her experience, her husband's
compulsion, her sons' struggles.
What example did she set?
And expect for other women? |
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Col. John Anderson & Ft. Sumter |
This Tennessee slave holder took command of the US Forts just as South
Carolina was planning it's secession convention. What was he to do?
Learn the Rest of the Story. |
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2nd
Annual Message to Congress, Dec. 1862 |
Between Lincoln's preliminary and final Emancipation
Proclamations, he attacks slavery, argues anew for
gradual compensated emancipation including, "Our strife
can be hushed forever with the passing of one
generation" |
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Lincoln's New Salem Years |
He stopped there by accident for a couple hours, left a
well respected man, then returned to stay for 6-years.
He came as a wandering laborer and left as a
successful state politician, newly minted lawyer and
fiancé. |
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Lincoln's 3 Wedding Engagements |
Ann, Mary and Mary Ann.
When and why did he propose or agree to marry
each one? All
three engagements were broken, one restored. |
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Lincoln and Dreams |
Lincoln dreamed in living color, remembered and sought
to understand their meaning, knowing that God spoke to
men in their dreams. |
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Lincoln’s Melancholy |
His depression was sometimes debilitating. But he learned
to do his best in spite of his suffering, then in the greatest crisis of the young USA, he
saved his country when no one else could do it. |
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The One Pardon
Lincoln Refused to Grant |
Although slave trading was a capital crime for most of
Lincoln's life, only one man was convicted and executed
for the crime.
Amidst great pressure to pardon, Lincoln refused. |
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Lincoln and Latinos |
He was involved and vocal in US relations with Mexico;
Texas, the 1846 War, his Spot Resolutions, California,
filibusters, Matias Romero, Benito Juarez, Maximillian
III and the California Missions. |
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3-Sets of 3-Slaves who dared to change the USA |
3-Slaves each; A. Came to Ft. Sumter but were returned to their masters. B.
Came to Fortress Monroe and were kept and protected as Contrabands, and C.
betrayed Jefferson Davis. |
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The $ Value of a person. |
How can a dollar value be placed on a human being? Historically, it was in the
sale of slaves. How is that involved in the Indian depredation claims after the
Civil War? |
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Mrs. Kate Warne, the 1st female detective |
She was the first female detective working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency,
she used multiple disguises and covers to expose the Baltimore plot and bring
Lincoln through safely to WDC. |
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Lincoln & reporter Henry Villard |
Their paths crossed many times from 1850's on, and Henry documented them.
What did he have to report? |
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My Secret Trip through Baltimore |
Cyprianno Ferrandini, the local militias and the police were all planning to kill
Lincoln as he traveled through Baltimore, towards his 1861 WDC inauguration.
How was the plot discovered and foiled? |
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Virginia Generals |
Lee vs. Thomas, others? Thier decisions and consequences. |
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Mobocracy |
Just like in the 21st century, mobs and riots wreaked violence and death in
Lincoln's days. What did he have to say about it? |
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This Burden |
Lincoln suffered with the horror of the repeatedly shocking numbers and sights
of Civil War casualties: the cost of saving the USA and freeing it's 4-million
slaves. Let him share the details. |
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Fillibuster |
Different meanings in different centuries. = a lawless military adventurer.
Learn of 1850's Pro-Slavery mercenary efforts
to get new slave states in: Southern California, Sonora Mexico, Nicaragua and Cuba,
involving William Walker and others. |
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Canada's Role in the US Civil War |
Canada, still a Great Britain colony was a safer home for many escaped slaves,
the place where Great Britian staged troops threatening war with the USA, the
place where Confederate agents plotted and executed raids into the US states
along the border. |
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Did Lincoln own slaves? Was he a racist? |
Lincoln defends himself against modern day accusations, using facts from his
life and reports from the many interactions he had with African-Americans |
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Thomas Nast, Lincoln's Illustrator |
A picture tells a thousand words, and through the scenes depicted by Thomas
Nast, he was "our best recruiting Sargent", "the foremost figure in civil life
developed by the rebellion", creator of the Santa Claus image and much more. |
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1861 Transition from Buchanan to Lincoln |
What resumes, statements and actions did they bring to bear on the
greatest crisis in American History? |
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Lincoln and his Secretary John Hay |
Their history through Lincoln's eyes starting before Lincoln became a
Presidental candidate continuing through Lincoln's passing. |
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Lincoln's Sports |
In his youth he was never beaten in any type of a running or jumping
contest. He was a
boxer, and a wrestling champion.
He played town ball, bowling, fives and did
unmatched feats of strength as President. |
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Baseball History |
The game began, was defined, went professional and
expanded during Lincoln's life and the Civil War. He
was the first President to play baseball on the White
House lawn. |
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"YOU
NAME IT" |
MANY ASPECTS OF LINCOLN'S LIFE CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY MODERN
DAY THEME... YOU DECIDE!!! |