Work in groups:
1. What are the American presidents you know? What do you know about them?
2. What do you know about Abraham Lincoln?
3. What makes a president unforgetable?
4. Read the summary of Lincoln's major accomplishments and decide why he became so famous. In the group's opinion, what are his two major accomplishments?
SUMMARY OF
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Abraham Lincoln made the decision to fight to prevent the nation from
splitting apart.
2. Abraham Lincoln was an unfaltering commander in chief during the Civil War which preserved the United States as one
nation.
3. Abraham Lincoln's foreign policy was successful in preventing other
countries from intervening in America's Civil War.
4. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which began the process of freedom for
America's slaves. The document also allowed black soldiers to fight for the
Union.
5. Abraham Lincoln was a strong supporter of the Thirteenth Amendment that formally ended slavery in the United
States.
6. Legislation Abraham Lincoln signed into law included the Homestead Act, the Morrill Act, the National Banking Act, and a bill that chartered the first transcontinental railroad.
7. Abraham Lincoln set an example of strong character, leadership, and
honesty which succeeding presidents tried to emulate. Barack Obama stated
during his campaign that he would look to Lincoln as a model.
8. Abraham Lincoln gave a series of great speeches before and during his
presidency including the House Divided Speech, the Cooper Union Address, the First Inaugural Address, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural Address.
9. Abraham Lincoln wrote a series of famous letters including the letters
to Grace Bedell, Horace Greeley, Fanny McCullough, and Lydia Bixby.
Abraham Lincoln's quotes are among the most famous quotes in the world. Read them and discuss their meanings and if you agree with them.
“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar”
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to
test a man's character, give him power."
"Common looking people are the best in the world: that
is the reason the Lord makes so many of them."
"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at
a time."
"Character is like a tre and reputation like a shadow. The
shadow is what we think of it and the tree is the real thing."
“Everybody likes a compliment.”
“If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him
do it. Give him a chance.”
“A friend is one who has the same enemies as you
have.”
Watch the movie segment and discuss with your partners the way Lincoln sees himself . Do you also think we are the way he sees himself? Explain it.
