Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum discusses the importance of religious beliefs in presidential campaigns in Abraham Lincoln's day, and considers what is known of Lincoln's changing religious views.

To listen to this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln's Religious Beliefs and Public Life" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."

Eric Foner of Columbia University looks at perceptions of the Lincoln-Douglas debates today, in which their significance derives from Lincoln's participation, and contemporary perceptions, in which the debates received attention because Douglas took part.

To listen to this clip, select "The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."

Professor Salvatore Nick reviews the life of C.L. Franklin (1915-1984), African-American Baptist preacher and civil rights activist. Nick looks particularly at the greater social context within which Franklin spoke and worked—that is, the daily experiences of the African American communities to which he spoke and which he spoke for.

Professor Clarence Walker reviews the life of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, drawing on Douglass's first autobiography.

Professor Stephen Knott explores the lives and beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the conflict between them. He looks at how both men have influenced U.S. history and identity, and how both men have been remembered and what they have symbolized over the course of U.S. history. This lecture continues from the lecture "Jefferson and Hamilton: Opposed in Death as in Life, Part One."

Professor Stephen Knott explores the lives and beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the conflict between them. He looks at how both men have influenced U.S. history and identity, and how both men have been remembered and what they have symbolized over the course of U.S. history.

Professor Alonzo Hamby analyzes the life and presidency of Harry Truman, looking at the popular image of him held today and contemporary public reaction to his presidency. Hamby focuses on Truman's foreign policies and decisions, including his decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II and to initiate the Korean War. This lecture continues from the lecture "Harry S. Truman and the American People, Part One: Domestic Issues and Policies."

Professor Alonzo Hamby analyzes the life and presidency of Harry Truman, looking at the popular image of him held today and contemporary public reaction to his presidency. Hamby focuses on Truman's domestic policies and the domestic issues he faced, including civil rights and McCarthyism.

Professor Allen C. Guelzo traces Abraham Lincoln's views and political decisions regarding slavery, leading finally up to the Emancipation Proclamation. He questions and explores the text and Lincoln's possible intentions in writing it, looking at the context within which it was written. Guelzo also focuses on changing perceptions of the Proclamation, from admiration to criticism, and looks at why this change occurred. This lecture continues from the lecture "The Emancipation Moment: Abraham Lincoln and the First of January, 1863, Part One."

Professor Allen C. Guelzo traces Abraham Lincoln's views and political decisions regarding slavery, leading finally up to the Emancipation Proclamation. He questions and explores the text and Lincoln's possible intentions in writing it, looking at the context within which it was written.