Who was Abraham Lincoln?

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Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th president of the United States of America. He was a farmer's son and had little schooling. He studied law on his own while working at a village store and later as a postmaster. In 1854, a law was passed allowing people in new western territories to own slaves. He became an opponent of slavery and joined the new antislavery Republican party in 1856. He was elected president in 1860. Knowing his views on slavery, seven Southern states broke away from the Union followed by four more states. This ' led to a civil war. Lincoln worked hard for victory over rebel states and to ensure their return to the Union. Five days later, after the fighting ended, he was shot dead by an actor at a theatre on April 14, 1865.

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