Heather A. Williams of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discusses the paradox of Abraham Lincoln's legacy in popular culture—the simultaneous desire to "know" Lincoln and the impossibility of reconstructing a totally complete and objective picture of the man.
Loren Schweninger of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro describes the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, including their meeting in the White House following Lincoln's inaugural address.
Joseph T. Glatthaar of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill describes President Abraham Lincoln's military policy, focusing on his emphasis on saving the Union and the place of race issues in this philosophy.
Paul D. Escott of Wake Forest University looks at Confederate expectations going into the Civil War that the war would be swift and decisive, and contrasts them with Jefferson Davis's expectations. He also outlines the challenges the South and Davis faced during the war, and attempts to assess Davis's performance as a leader.
William C. Harris of North Carolina State University describes the qualities Lincoln possessed that directed his leadership decisions during the Civil War.
Erin Carlson Mast, curator at Lincoln's Cottage, speaks about the relationship between Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln.
Eighth-grade American history educator Eric Langhorst briefly reviews the book Lincoln's Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers' Home, by Matthew Pinsker. The Soldiers' Home, or Lincoln Cottage, was the summer White House for President Lincoln. It has been estimated that Lincoln spent almost 25 percent of his presidency at the Lincoln Cottage. This book sheds light on what Lincoln accomplished at this second home, how the location might have impacted his thought process during the war years, and some personal details that help to humanize Lincoln.
Historian Harold Holzer compares Lincoln's 1861 Address at Independence Hall and Obama's Race Speech at the Constitution Center.
To listen to this lecture, select "Historian Harold Holzer compares Lincoln's Address at Independence Hall and Obama's Race Speech at the Constitution Center" under "Supplemental Materials" in the right sidebar.
Historian Harold Holzer compares Abraham Lincoln's 1860 Cooper Union Speech and Barack Obama's 2008 Race Speech at the Constitution Center.
To listen to this lecture, select "Historian Harold Holzer compares Lincoln's Cooper Union Speech and Obama's Race Speech at the Constitution Center" from the sidebar on the right side of the page.
Three speakers present in this second half of an all-day symposium commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln. Lucas E. Morel presents "Lincoln on Race, Equality and the Spirit of '76"; Lincoln's lifelong interest in language is the subject of a talk given by Douglas L. Wilson; and Elizabeth D. Leonard delivers the final presentation of the symposium, "Ally on the Team of Rivals: Lincoln and His Point Man for Military Justice," in which she discusses Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt, the president's chief of the War Department's Bureau of Military Justice.
The first half of this symposium may be found here.