The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History

🌟 Lecture from Ed Acorn, author of "The Lincoln Miracle," who shares insights from his extensive research and journalistic career, including his time at the National Archives.

🌟 Acorn explores Abraham Lincoln's journey, highlighting his unconventional path to the presidency. Despite losing two Senate races and having minimal political experience, Lincoln's persistence and integrity shone through. Lincoln faced significant opposition and skepticism. Critics viewed him as politically doomed, but his ability to connect with people and his deep moral convictions set him apart.

🌟 Delve into the crucial 1860 Republican Convention in Chicago, a pivotal moment that led to Lincoln's nomination. The convention was held at the Wigwam, a large wooden structure, which became the center of intense political maneuvering.

🌟 Lincoln was up against prominent figures like William Seward, the presumed frontrunner, and Edward Bates. Seward's strong abolitionist stance and immigrant support made him a controversial figure, while Bates's conservatism appealed to those wanting to calm sectional tensions.

🌟 Strategically, Lincoln's supporters, led by Judge David Davis, employed clever tactics to secure his nomination. They manipulated seating arrangements, printed counterfeit tickets, and made strategic deals, sometimes even promising the same positions to multiple delegations.

🌟 Despite being an underdog, Lincoln's team managed to secure his nomination on the third ballot. The combination of strategic brilliance, Seward's perceived extremism, and Greeley's timely opposition culminated in what Acorn calls the "Lincoln Miracle."

🌟 Lincoln's nomination and eventual election as president were seen as miraculous by many. His election marked a turning point in American history, eventually leading to the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery.