Mary Todd Lincoln
Historical Figure Project- Annie Chong
A few facts about Mary Todd Lincoln
-First Lady of the United States from 1861 to 1865
-Born on December 13, 1818 in Lexington, Kentucky
Historiography
Life Influences
- Mary's family supported the South yet she remained a fervent unionist
- Grew up wealthy, father (Robert Todd) was a successful landowner/politician
- Received a remarkable education, attended Madame Charlotte LeClere Mentelle's boarding school
Influential people:
- Madame Charlotte LeClere Mentelle helped shape the person she became
- The boarding school was her second home
- French she learned while in boarding school helped during Lincoln's presidency
Motivation:
- Wanted Lincoln to win his presidency
- Wished to spread the ideas of pro-Union policies
An Activist
Mary Todd Lincoln strongly opposed slavery and supported her husband's pro-Union policies
What initiated her involvement:
Back when she was a child living in Lexington, she witnessed the terrible treatment of slaves in her community. She was appalled at the brutality and thus supported the end of slavery.
What was accomplished:
She helped spread the fact that slavery was wrong and since Mary helped Lincoln win presidency, he was able to propose emancipation. Ended slavery in states where it was legal.
Methods:
Supported Abraham Lincoln when he discussed his pro-union polices, spread the word that slavey was morally wrong, and was loyal to Abraham's polices dealing with the emancipation he wished for
Sacrifices:
Created a bad image for herself because she was against slavery (slavery popular during this time period) and went against her family because they chose to side with the south during the war.
Causes she would have adopted:
In the modern time era, slavery is looked down upon and is not part of our society. If slavery was around, Mary Todd Lincoln would spread pro-union polices to the community.
Compare/Contrast with Another Time Period
Defining quote
This quote from Mary Todd Lincoln expresses how she was always determined to succeed and make things right even when times are rough. This also relates to how she wished for slavery to come to an end because she states how we will "taste the blessings of freedom.", this illustrates how the slaves could overcome this dark time and receive freedom.