Teaching American History: Documents in Detail Webinar - January 22, 2020
Overview
Date: January 22, 2020
Focus: Abraham Lincoln's 1861 Fragment on the Constitution and Union
Moderator: Dr. Jason Stevens, Ashland University
Panelists: Dr. Lukas Morrell, Dr. Jason Shivudu
Key Points from the Webinar
Introduction
The webinar is part of Teaching American History's series featuring discussions on historically significant documents.
Participants are encouraged to engage by submitting questions through the chat.
Information on receiving a certificate of participation and access to archived content will be provided.
Lincoln's Fragment on the Constitution and Union
The document is referred to as a "fragment" due to its incomplete nature in the collected works of Lincoln.
It explores the relationship between the Constitution, Union, and Declaration of Independence.
Lincoln uses the metaphor of "apples of gold in pictures of silver" from Proverbs to illustrate the hierarchy and connection between these foundational elements.
Discussion Highlights
Context of the Fragment:
Likely written between Lincoln's election in November 1860 and his inauguration in March 1861.
Correspondence with Alexander Stephens, who urged Lincoln to calm tensions with a "word fitly spoken."
Lincoln’s refusal to make a public statement prior to his inauguration to avoid misinterpretation.
Significance of the Fragment:
Examines the philosophical cause underlying the nation's issues, particularly slavery and secession.
Lincoln emphasizes the Declaration's principle of equality and liberty for all.
The metaphor highlights the Declaration (apple of gold) being framed by the Constitution and Union (pictures of silver).
Lincoln's focus was on preventing moral indifference to slavery, which he saw as insidious.
Literary and Philosophical Analysis:
Lincoln uses biblical references to convey his message effectively.
The fragment reveals Lincoln’s method of working through ideas privately, which sometimes later influenced his public speeches.
Connection to Other Lincoln Works:
The fragment aligns with themes in Lincoln’s speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address and the Dred Scott decision speech.
It reflects Lincoln’s broader political philosophy on natural rights and equality.
Reception and Preservation:
The fragment was kept private and discovered posthumously among Lincoln’s papers.
It serves as a key insight into Lincoln’s thought process and political strategy.
Educational Implications
The fragment is an ideal document for classroom use due to its brevity and depth.
It encourages critical thinking and discussion among students about core American principles.
The document serves as an entry point to explore Lincoln’s views on equality, the Union, and self-government.
Conclusion
The webinar emphasized the educational value of the fragment for teaching American history and Lincoln’s philosophies.
Participants were encouraged to incorporate primary documents like this into their curriculum to foster deeper historical understanding.
Upcoming webinars and resources were highlighted for continued learning opportunities.