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GRADE LEVEL 5-8 LESSON 4: LIFE AS PRESIDENT WWW.PRESIDENTLINCOLN.ORG Abraham Presidential Library and Museum INTRODUCTION incoln’s years in the proved particularly challenging. Faced with a divided L nation, a bloody civil war, death threats, political pressures and family tragedy, Lincoln’s years as president transformed his family in ways no one could have imagined when he took office in 1861.

Objectives • Name the four functions of the White House. • Explain the symbolic meaning of the White House. • Identify at least three differences between Lincoln's White House and the White House of today. • Outline the pros and cons of living in the White House. • Name at least one person who worked for Lincoln in the White House.

Materials • Books about from the “Lincoln Biography Reading Kit” or other sources ONLINE RESOURCES • Documents from “Lincoln Biography Reading Kit” (optional) • Lincoln Time Line www.alplm.org/timeline/timeline.html • Internet Access (optional)

• Discussion Questions (see below) • Mr. Lincoln’s White House • "Biographical Sketch of Abraham Lincoln" (in this lesson plan) www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org • "Who's Who in Lincoln's White House" (in this lesson plan) • The White House Historical Associa- tion www.whitehousehistory.org/ PROCEDURE 1. Discuss with your students the four functions of the White • The White House House. www.whitehouse.gov/ 2. Have students review the biographical sketch of Abraham Lincoln. Review the "Who's Who in Lincoln's White House" handout. 3. Using the resources from the kit or online, have students research and answer the following discussion questions. Students may work in groups; each group could address one of the four functions. Discuss the answers as a class. Page 2

LESSON 4: LIFE AS PRESIDENT

Four Functions of the White House

• Home of the president and his family • Office and headquarters for the president and his staff 1847 • Historic museum open to the public • A symbol of the

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Home of the president and his family 1. Who were the members of Lincoln’s family when he lived in the White House? What were their ages? 1858 2. What was the condition of the White House when the Lincoln’s moved in? What did Mary Lincoln think of the place? 3. Describe what life was like for the Lincoln boys in the White House? How would living in the White House differ from living in your own house? 4. What tragedy occurred in the in February 1862? How did the family cope privately and in the public eye?

Office and headquarters for the president and his staff 1. What important document did Lincoln sign at the White House in January 1863? Why was it so important? In what room did he sign it? 2. What is a cabinet and how do they assist the president? Lincoln’s cabinet met in what 1860 room of the White House? Identify one key member of Lincoln’s cabinet and explain his role in Lincoln’s presidency. 3. Identify two White House staff people during the Lincoln family’s term. What kinds of jobs did they perform? 4. Describe a typical day for Lincoln at the White House.

Historic museum 1. Who was the original architect of the White House? 2. How did Lincoln’s White House differ from the White House today? Consider size, living conditions security, ease of access and privacy in your answer. 3. Imagine you are planning a trip to Washington, D.C. and want to tour the White House. 1861 Research information on tour times, rules, security, costs and directions. What might you see on a tour of the White House today? 4. Is the in today’s White House really Lincoln’s bedroom?

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WWW.PRESIDENTLINCOLN.ORG

A symbol of the United States 1. Who owns the White House? Who does it belong to? 1862 2. Mary Lincoln spent a lot of money redecorating the White House and was criticized for it. Do you think it is important that the White House be well-maintained and beautifully decorated? Who should pay for it?

3. In your opinion, has the White House as a symbol changed much since Lincoln's time?

4. What are some other symbols of the United States? Explain in detail.

FURTHER REFLECTION

1863 1. Would it be fun to live in the White House? Would it be hard to lose your privacy? Make two columns on the black board. Entitle one column “Pros” and the other “Cons.” As a class, debate the pros and cons of living in the White House. List your arguments in the appropriate columns. 2. Study the photographic timeline of Lincoln or create one yourself from the images found the “Lincoln Biography Reading Kit” or online. What can you infer about the impact of his term in White House from an examination of these photographs? Search for images of other presidents at the beginning and end of their terms in office and make your own timeline. What did you discover? Was Lincoln's experience unique? 3. Provide each student with am image of Lincoln from the photographic timeline or from the “Lincoln Biography Reading Kit” or online. What was going on in Lincoln's life when this photo was taken? Write a journal entry as Lincoln reflecting on the events at the time of the photo, or write a newspaper article and caption to accompany the photo. 1864

1865 Page 4

LESSON 4: LIFE AS PRESIDENT

WHO’S WHO IN LINCOLN’S WHITE HOUSE

Abraham Lincoln (1809- Thomas (Tad) Lincoln 1865) was born near Hodgen- (1853-1871) was the fourth ville, Kentucky on February son of Abraham and Mary 12, 1809. He was elected the Lincoln who was nicknamed Sixteenth President of the “Tad” because his father United States in 1860. He is thought he looked like a tad- best known for keeping the pole as a baby with his head country united in the midst of bigger than his body. a bloody Civil War and his work to end slavery through the Emancipation Proclama- (1838-1905) was tion and the passage of the the Assistant Private Secre- 13th Amendment. tary to Lincoln. He oversaw White House security and Lincoln's Cabinet Room as depicted at the Abraham

made up one-half of Lincoln's Lincoln Presidential Museum (1818- two-man staff--the other aide 1882) was born to a wealthy being John Nicolay. Kentucky family. She married LINCOLN'S CABINET Abraham Lincoln on Novem- Secretary of State ber 4, 1842. As First Lady, (ca. she oversaw a major renova- 1818-1907) was Mary Todd William H. Seward (March 1861-March 1869) tion of the White House. Lincoln’s dressmaker and close friend at the White Secretary of the Treasury

House. She was born a slave Salmon P. Chase, (March 1861-June 1864) Todd Lincoln but bought her freedom as (1843-1926) was the first son well as the freedom of her William P. Fessenden (July 1865-March 1865) of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. son, who later fought for the Hugh McCulloch (March 1865-March 1869) He became a prominent law- and was killed in yer in . In 1881 he battle. Secretary of War was Secretary of War under President James Garfield. In (March 1861-January 1862) 1889, President Benjamin John Nicolay (1832-1901) Edwin M. Stanton (January 1862-May 1868) Harrison appointed him minis- was Private Secretary to ter to England. Later he was President Lincoln. He was Secretary of the Navy president of the Pullman pivotal in moving the Lincolns (March 1861-March 1869) Company, a large corporation into the White House. His that made passenger rail cars. frequent clashes with Mary Attorney General over social affairs at the

White House led to his de- (March 1861-November 1864) parture at the end of Lincoln's (December 1864-July 1866) (1850-1862) was the third son first term. of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Secretary of the Interior He was fondly called “Willie.” He died in the White House Caleb B. Smith (March 1861-January 1863) from “bilious fever” at age John P. Usher (January 1863-May 1865) eleven. Postmaster General

Montgomery Blair (March 1861-September 1864)

William Dennison (October 1864-July 1866) Vice President Hannibal Hamlin (March 1861-March 1865) (March 1865-April 1865) Page 5

WWW.PRESIDENTLINCOLN.ORG

BIOGRAPHY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN braham Lincoln is one of to . The following year, with John T. Stuart. A our best remembered the younger Lincoln made a presidents. He preserved the second flatboat trip to New In Springfield, Lin- union of the United States and Orleans for . coln met and courted Mary issued the Emancipation Proc- Offutt owned a store in New Todd. She was a well- lamation which freed all Salem, Illinois and hired Abra- educated young woman from a wealthy family in Kentucky. slaves. ham to be work there as a Her family did not approve of clerk. He was born on Lincoln and his common up- February 12, 1809 in a one- Lincoln lived in New bringing. Nevertheless, the room log cabin, a few miles Salem until 1837. While two were married on No- from Hodgenville, Kentucky. there he had a variety of jobs, vember 4, 1842 at the home Named after his paternal including postmaster and sur- of her sister and -in- grandfather, Abraham Lincoln veyor. He became a part- law, Elizabeth and Ninian Ed- was the second-born child of owner of a store with William wards, in Springfield. The , a carpenter F. Berry and, as a result of his Lincolns set up housekeeping and farmer, and his wife, honesty in business, he earned at the Globe Tavern in Spring- Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He had his nickname of “Honest field, where their first child, a sister, Sarah, who was three .” In New Salem, Lincoln Robert Todd, was born on years older. Nancy Hanks met and possibly courted August 1, 1843. The follow- had another son Thomas who Anne Rutledge, who died in ing year, the couple purchased died in infancy. 1836. He also served in the a house at Eighth and Jackson In Springfield, Lincoln met and Black Hawk War as a captain. Streets for $1,200. By March courted Mary Todd. The two When Abraham was In 1832, Lincoln ran for the of 1846, the Lincoln’s second were married on November 4, seven, his family purchased state legislature and lost. He son, , 1842 in Springfield. land and moved to southern ran again in 1834 and won, was born. Eddie died just Indiana where slavery was serving four consecutive four short years later in 1850. prohibited. Life on the fron- terms. Lincoln decided to A third son was born to the tier was difficult, but Thomas pursue a career in law and, Lincolns that same year— worked hard to provide for after three years of study, he William Wallace Lincoln. his family. In 1818, Nancy received his license and be- Hanks Lincoln died from milk came an attorney. He moved In August 1846, Lin- sickness, a disease obtained to Springfield in 1837, and coln was elected to the U.S. from drinking the milk of became a partner in a law firm House of Representatives. cows which had grazed on He became known in Wash- poisonous white snakeroot. The next year Thomas Lin- coln married Sarah Bush Johnston. She had three chil- dren of her own from her first marriage. During their time in Kentucky, the Lincoln children were able to attend school for brief periods of time; but mostly Abraham Lincoln was self-educated. He taught himself to read by studying borrowed books. In 1828, Abraham was hired to take a flatboat trip to . It is possible that on this trip, Lin- coln had his first encounter with slavery, perhaps at a slave auction. In 1830 Tho- mas Lincoln moved his family The Lincoln Home in Springfield. Illinois. Page 6

LESSON 4: LIFE AS PRESIDENT ington for his opposition to of these measures were criti- slavery and the Mexican War. cized but Lincoln felt them Lincoln served one term be- necessary to prepare for war fore returning to Springfield and to preserve the Union. where he became a law part- ner of . Lincoln was very Their practice was very suc- involved as Commander in cessful. Every spring and fall Chief during the war, often Lincoln traveled throughout meeting with his generals to central Illinois as a lawyer on discuss military strategy and the Eighth Judicial Circuit. He issuing many General War became well-known through- Orders himself. He hired and out the circuit, representing fired several generals after many people in many county many early defeats. He fur- courthouses throughout cen- ther increased the punish- ments for treason, rebellion, tral Illinois. and confiscation of property. In 1858 Lincoln ran He also ordered a draft for for the Senate against the military service. popular Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas. They par- In September 1862, ticipated in a series of debates Lincoln issued the preliminary throughout the state. Lin- Emancipation Proclamation coln’s speeches against slavery and declared its final issue to brought him national atten- be effective on January 1, tion. He lost the Senate elec- 1863. The Emancipation tion, but because of his fame Proclamation declared free- as a speaker on the issue of dom for all slaves in the states slavery, he was nominated by which were in rebellion. the Republican Party to run In November 1863, for president in 1860. In this last speech, he spoke about Lincoln went to the dedica- the Confederate states and hotly contested race, he de- tion of the National Ceme- feated three other candidates his plans to unify the coun- tery at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- try. On the evening of April and won the presidency. vania where he delivered the 14, while attending the play, By the time he was famous . , at inaugurated in March 1861, Lincoln was nomi- Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln was several Southern states had nated for a second term as shot by actor John Wilkes already seceded from the president with the choice of Booth. President Abraham Union and formed the Con- Andrew Johnson of Tennes- Lincoln never regained con- federacy. In April, Fort Sum- see as the vice-presidential sciousness and died at 7:22 ter was fired upon and the candidate. Lincoln was easily a.m. the next morning at War Between the States had re-elected, defeating his oppo- William Petersen’s home, begun. Lincoln issued orders nent, General George B. across from Ford’s Theatre. to convene a special session McClellan. On March 4, Lin- of Congress. He called for Funeral services coln delivered his Second were held at the White troops and proclaimed a Inaugural Address and prom- blockade of ports in the House. Mrs. Lincoln, over- ised to carry out his term come with grief, did not South. In addition, he sus- “with malice toward none and pended the writ of habeas cor- attend. The funeral train charity for all.” pus. A writ of habeas corpus is bearing Lincoln’s body trav- a judicial mandate to a prison On April 9, 1865 eled from Washington, mak- official ordering that an in- after four long years of Civil ing stops in Maryland, Penn- mate be brought to the court War, General Robert E. Lee sylvania, New York, Ohio, so it can be determined of the Confederate Army Indiana, Chicago, and finally whether or not that person is surrendered to General Ulys- his home of Springfield, Illi- imprisoned lawfully and ses S. Grant of the Union nois. Lincoln was buried on whether or not he should be Army at Appomattox Court- May 4, 1865 at Oak Ridge released from custody. Many house in Virginia. In Lincoln’s Cemetery in Springfield.