Lincoln / Net
In 1861 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) became the United States' sixteenth president. But before Lincoln became the nation's chief executive, he led a fascinating life that sheds considerable light upon significant themes in American history. This Web site presents materials from Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861), supplemented by resources from Illinois' early years of statehood (1818-1829). Thus Lincoln/Net provides a record of Lincoln's career, but it also uses his experiences as a lens through which users might explore and analyze his social and political context.
Read in-depth accounts and analyses from 1858 of the seven debates that occurred between Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln and Democratic nominee Stephen Douglas.
Black Hawk War
Discover the history behind the 1832 conflict between the United States and Native Americans as led by the Sauk leader Black Hawk.
The Mexican-American War
Examine the roots of the 1846-1848 war between the United States and Mexico, which followed the annexation of Texas.
How to Use This Site
The Lincoln/Net site is comprised of both primary source documents, as well as modern scholarly interpretive materials, including thematic essays and video interviews.