Learn English via Listening - Level 3 - Abraham Lincoln | Текст песни

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• Abraham Lincoln

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When historians are asked to choose the greatest Presidents in the history of the United
States, one of the names most frequently mentioned is Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was
President during the greatest ordeal that ever faced the United States-the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in the state of Kentucky, but when he was a child, the
family moved to the state of Indiana. Abraham's parents, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln,
were farmers who were very poor, and they received only a few years of education. When
Abraham was only nine years old, his mother became ill and died. About one year later,
Abraham's father remarried.
As a young man, Abraham continued to work on the family farm, and he also worked as a
laborer. During this time, the Lincolns moved to the state of Illinois. Abraham became
known to the local people as an excellent athlete and story-teller. He educated himself by
reading many books, most of which he borrowed from neighbours.
Lincoln was interested in politics, and when he was in his mid-20s, he was elected to the
Illinois state legislature. During this time, Lincoln also studied law, and soon became
known as an excellent lawyer. People called Lincoln "Honest Abe" because of his
personal integrity. In 1842, Lincoln married a woman named Mary Todd.
During the 1850s, Lincoln became strongly opposed the expansion of slavery into the
western parts of the United States. Lincoln held several famous debates against a
supporter of slavery named Stephen Douglas.
In 1860, Lincoln was a candidate in the election for President of the United States. During
this election, the issue of slavery and its expansion was very prominent. Lincoln won, but
soon after, several of the southern states decided to secede from the United States, and
form their own country. A few months later, fighting started between those southern
states and the federal government, which was supported by the northern states.
Lincoln managed the Civil War with skill and determination. Gradually the North began to
win the war. In 1863, Lincoln made the "Emancipation Proclamation," which freed the
slaves. Later that year, Lincoln gave his most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address.
The Civil War had brought terrible suffering to many Americans, and people were very
bitter after the war. But Lincoln wanted the country to become united again, and he urged
people to forgive. However, in April of 1865, only months after the war ended, Lincoln
was shot and killed by an assassin. Many people, even Lincoln's critics, mourned his
death.
In the generations that have passed since Lincoln's death, he has continued to be viewed
as a great President. Some historians have criticized Lincoln for not being more strongly
opposed to slavery, but others have defended him, saying that Lincoln's approach to the
issue was realistic and humane. But nearly all historians agree that Lincoln was an
honest and brave leader during the most difficult period in American history.