Any History Buffs Out There?

Question

My text book asserts that Predisent Lincoln clearly tests the limits of presidental power.

Are there any specific actions that makes this claim true?

Answer 1

You may recall that when Lincoln assumed office presidents were sworn in in March, rather than in January as is the case today. Accordingly, there was a fairly long interval between his election and when he took office.

By the time of his inauguration seven states had already seceded from the Union and Maryland's General Assembly was preparing to vote on articles of secession as well. Lincoln dispatched troops to the Maryland State House with instructions to arrest any person that moved such articles, and in doing so, cowed the Maryland Assembly--about half of whom he later had arrested without charges or a trial so as to preclude them from later moving to secede and thereby leaving Washington surrounded.

In addition to suspending habeas corpus, Lincoln authorized the printing of paper currency, unsupported by gold to fund the was effort. Ironically, his Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon Chase, who oversaw the issuance of these so-called "greenbacks" would later become Chief Justice of the United States and after the war ruled that the administration had exceeded its constituional authority.

Then too there were the so-called "Prize Cases" which stemmed from the Lincoln Administration's blockade of southern ports and seizure of any ships thought to be aiding and abetting the Confederate war effort.

He also freed the slaves in states still involved in a state of rebellion in 1863 with his Emancipation Proclamation--which theoretically at least violated those States' sovereign authority.

In addition, he supported the creation of the State of West Virginia when it seceded from Virginia in mid-war to rejoin the Union. Under the Constitution, no state may be made from the parts of any other state, and since the Union did not acknowledge the southern states to have been independent, but merely in a state of rebellion, it took some very fancy legal footwork to claim that West Virginia could be legally admitted as a new state.

Answer 2

Take a look at "Forced Into Glory-Abraham Lincoln's White Dream" by Lerone Bennett. If you don't know who that is look it up you'll realise how important Nennett is in the area of history. You're teacher will not believe you but the foot notes provide documentation that the book is documented and correct.

What was Lincolns plans for blacks after the war? To send then home or Brazil.

Lincoln made continuous offers for the Confederate States to return to the Union KEEPING their slaves. (Sort of blows the question to your other question to hell doesn't it? War could not have been over slavery!!

God Bless You and The Southern People.

Answer 3

yes I'm a history buff

as for Lincon - well he freed the saleves in the Rebellios slave states as a War Measure (he left the non-rebellious states alone).

This would clearly have tested the limits of the lawful powers of the Executive Branch, but by the time he did this, Congress was dominated by the Republicans and they supported his action.

Additionally he suspended Habeous Corpus, which guaranteed people the right to a trial by jury - and this in a democracy was seen as an extreme measure.

do you need more examples?

Answer 4

he removed the writ of Habeas Corpus and had people thrown into jail with no trial. He did what he had to, to win. he was a great leader and pushed the limits of the law , What a leader does at times. He reinstated the Writ after he was done.

Answer 5

the suspension of habeas corpus, the constitutional questions about slavery i.e. the emancipation proclamation, the printing of paper money. the draft, those are just a few there are others

Answer 6

this is coming from an outsider (not a citizen of the usa), but wouldn't declaring war on rebels require the assent of congress or something?

Answer 7

Uh, he forced the states to give up their right to own slaves. Well, he emancipated the slaves, which was a states' right.

Answer 8

He suspended habeus corpus.

Answer 9

I'm your man. ask me. my knowledge is partial tho.

I'm pretty up on British history though.