2007-11-09 07:29:08 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I assume you are referring to the fact that Lincoln violated the Constitution by suspended the writ of habeas corpus and threw newspaper reporters and editors (among many others) in jail without charging them with a crime in the 1860s.
However, his was not the first instance of Presidential usurpation of Americans' rights. In 1798, President John Adams signed the Alien and Sedition Acts into law, which made it a crime to criticize the President or Congress. Those who did (mostly Democratic-Republicans, the minority party) were often thrown in jail. In the 1830s, the Cherokee nation - despite a Supreme Court ruling authored by John Marshall which asserted their right to their land and homes - was forcibly uprooted and send to live hundreds of miles west. Andrew Jackson was the culprit in that case.
Lincoln mangled the Constitution, to be sure; but his actions were not the first instance (nor the last).
2007-11-09 07:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by jimbob 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Jefferson also introduced Executive Orders, which have no real basis in the constitution and have been used many times in history to overstep the normal boundaries of the executive branch.
Lincoln's big thing is that he was the first to really attack the freedoms of the people by his violations of the constitution.
People stood up to him a bit, but not enough. The best thing a pres can do for his pr is to die in office (there are a few exceptions). His assassination cemented him as a 'great' president despite what really went on, this allows people to be great by violating our rights in his spirit.
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Which party was it that refused to leave the White House when they were voted out? It was one of the first few Presidets...big violation there
2007-11-09 07:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is possible to see it that way, but it can also be argued that after his presidency there was no more slavery - something that considerably improved the freedoms of a large section of the US population. Also Lincoln's actions had more effect on improving executive power relative to the other branches of the govt. But I dont think it had a long term effect on human freedom in the country.
2007-11-09 07:54:06 · answer #3 · answered by baldisbeautiful 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you actually read the Constitution, you will find that, in time of crisis resulting from war or insurrection, the president can suspend habeus corpus. We are not at war (no war has been declared) under Constitutional law, and hence the president CANNOT legally suspend h.c.
Republicans have managed to vilify Lincoln in an effort to ennoble Reagan and the Bushes.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
2007-11-09 09:42:51 · answer #4 · answered by Howard H 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually the first president to go against the US Constitution was Thomas Jefferson when he made the Louisiana Purchase. This one act led to the federal government increasing in power and size (something Jefferson ironically was against).
2007-11-09 07:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by Downriver Dave 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Abraham Lincoln was the absolute greatest President this country ever had. Suspending civil liberties while under attack from the secessionist states was the only option the man had. In subsequent years, weak-willed Presidents such as Andrew Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and GW Bush have done more to permanently empower the police to harass and intimidate people to the point where civil liberties are a joke now.
2007-11-09 07:40:37 · answer #6 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Absoluty! After Abe Lincoln violated constitutional law the precedent was set, and it happened over and over again with the following presidents.
2007-11-09 07:36:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW DID NOT BEGIN WITH LINCOLN THERE WERE OTHERS SUCH AS JACKSON, MONROE AND EVEN JEFFERSON WHO USED THEIR POSITION AS COMMANDER AND CHIEF TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT THEY WANTED AND LET'S NOT FORGET JAMES K. POLK WHO GAVE US CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, AND NEW MEXICO. ALL OF THEM PRIOR TO LINCOLN.
2007-11-09 07:52:30 · answer #8 · answered by Loren S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, that depends on your point on the pole. African-Americans didn't. You might argue white southern males did. We had a lot of freedom to shoot and knife each other, if no enemy was available......
2007-11-09 08:15:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Interesting question! More details are needed.
What "crimes" do you mean?
2007-11-09 07:37:29 · answer #10 · answered by Alion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋