Prof. Eric Foner Tells the Story of Abraham Lincoln and the American Political Tradition

On March 24, the 167^th lecture of the Luojia Forum of Wuhan University was held in the old library. Prof. Eric Foner, professor of Columbia University Department of History, Academician of the American National Academy of Arts and Sciences, former President of the American Historical Association, gave a speech entitled "Abraham Lincoln and the American political tradition". Humanities and Social Sciences Senior Professor Hu Dekun awarded him with Luojia Forum commemorative card, and Professor Liu Litang, Party Secretary of the School of History, presided over the lecture.

Professor Foner pointed out that the image of Lincoln was reconstructed and remodeled after his death and eventually became a self-made man, a great mancipator, America's savior in the mind of general public. There is still a lot of difference between the real Lincoln and this image. Professor Foner believes that Lincoln is not a "great mancipator" at the beginning, but he constantly listen to others' opinions, reflect on himself and renew himself, and he plays the role of mediator among the various radical groups at that time. These efforts have made this gentle politician grow into a real mancipator.

At the same time, it was pointed out that Lincoln's focus has been on the economic problems of the United States instead of the problem of slavery between 1830-1840, and Lincoln did not participate in the anti-slavery activities until 1848. TheEmancipation Proclamation entered into force on January 1, 1863, which was a turning point for Lincoln, because it made him more determined to abolish slavery. In the 1850s, Lincoln became a spokesman for the Republican Party against slavery. Lincoln embodied a rare "capacity of growth and change" in the process of abolishing slavery and growing into a politician leading the fate of the United States. Although Lincoln's efforts did not bring comprehensive, complete freedom for the emancipated slaves, it did lay a solid foundation for the United States to pursue national unity and racial equality.