Like George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, the idea of "Honest Abe" Lincoln is one of our most important presidential stories. "Honest" is probably one of the first words people think of when they describe our sixteenth president (after "tall" and "stovepipe hat," of course). The image is a powerful national myth, used for everything from teaching morality to selling things. The "Honest Abe" idea has appeared on everything from T-shirts to stationary to recipes to paint colors. (Check out the Pinterest board for a collection of "Honest Abe" images; my favorite is the restaurant selling burgers (and freedom!) in Nebraska, and the famous Geico commercial.) The nickname, so pervasive today, first gained national momentum during the 1860 campaign, when Lincoln's supporters presented him as an incorruptible politician and the best candidate for the presidency. Since then, Lincoln's honesty has become an essential part of the Abraham Lincoln myth.
But how much does he really deserve the nickname? After all, Lincoln was both a lawyer and a politician -- two careers more famous for their dishonesty than anything else. So how did Lincoln rise above this stereotype? Was the name simply a campaign tool, propaganda designed to sway voters and help the Republicans win? Or was Lincoln really honest? These questions demonstrate the importance of the historical method: it's not simply about what happened, but how a historian chooses what evidence is (and isn't) important as they create a narrative (or story) about the past.
Your task is to determine for yourself to what extent Lincoln deserved the "Honest Abe" nickname. You must decide what it means to be "honest", study the background information for context, consider what professional historians have to say, and sort through the primary source evidence yourself to determine your answer. Your goal is to make a compelling argument that answers the question and demonstrates your understanding of the primary sources and the historical context. (A note: Because the nickname became so famous in the 1860 election, we will focus primarily on the period before Lincoln became president -- that is, before 1861. For this project you do not need to study whether you think Lincoln was honest as president.)
But how much does he really deserve the nickname? After all, Lincoln was both a lawyer and a politician -- two careers more famous for their dishonesty than anything else. So how did Lincoln rise above this stereotype? Was the name simply a campaign tool, propaganda designed to sway voters and help the Republicans win? Or was Lincoln really honest? These questions demonstrate the importance of the historical method: it's not simply about what happened, but how a historian chooses what evidence is (and isn't) important as they create a narrative (or story) about the past.
Your task is to determine for yourself to what extent Lincoln deserved the "Honest Abe" nickname. You must decide what it means to be "honest", study the background information for context, consider what professional historians have to say, and sort through the primary source evidence yourself to determine your answer. Your goal is to make a compelling argument that answers the question and demonstrates your understanding of the primary sources and the historical context. (A note: Because the nickname became so famous in the 1860 election, we will focus primarily on the period before Lincoln became president -- that is, before 1861. For this project you do not need to study whether you think Lincoln was honest as president.)
Get Started: Brainstorming
Before you start creating your argument, the first thing you need to do is define your terms. "Honesty" is a very broad, vague word. What does it mean to be "honest"? Do a quick brainstorm of all the definitions and uses of the word you can think of. Think about possible synonyms and related values. Think about some possible examples, especially for a politician or a lawyer. I think webbing is best brainstorming method, but if you want to freewrite or make a list or whatever that works too. Do whatever works best for you.
Get Started: Background info
Next, watch the video below for a short introduction about the role of the nickname "Honest Abe" in the 1860 election:
When you're ready, go to "investigate the evidence" to move on...
Banner image source: D. Wentworth & Wide Awake, "Honest Old Abe" music and chorus, originally published by Blodgett & Bradford, Buffalo, New York, c1860. Archived at the Library of Congress.