Lincoln's Hiatus
Essential Question: What future benefits were there for Lincoln acting as a circuit lawyer, where he worked in many different counties in Illinois?
Lincoln left the House after one term and went back to Springfield to his law practice. He lost interest in politics and began to work as a circuit attorney, riding from one court house to another through Illinois. Michael Burlingame, who wrote Abraham Lincoln: A Life, says that this time away allowed Lincoln time to hone his speaking skills. He argued cases before judges and continued to write. He also gave advice, whether it was asked for or not, in his letters. He also wrote some advice to new attorneys that could have been part of a speech. The text of his writing is here.
Read the document, then answer the following questions:
1. Lincoln regularly gave advice in his writings, whether it was asked for or not. Do you think this advice was appreciated by the recipient?
2. What was some the advice that Lincoln offered to young attorneys? List at least three and describe their importance
3. Lincoln counseled the lawyers to look for ways to settle disputes out of court. Why do you think he advised this?
4. What was one of the long term effects of Lincoln riding from one courthouse to another for a number of years, especially later when he decided to re-enter politics?
5. What are some of the characteristics in these writings that made Lincoln a good politician?
Essential Question: What future benefits were there for Lincoln acting as a circuit lawyer, where he worked in many different counties in Illinois?
Lincoln left the House after one term and went back to Springfield to his law practice. He lost interest in politics and began to work as a circuit attorney, riding from one court house to another through Illinois. Michael Burlingame, who wrote Abraham Lincoln: A Life, says that this time away allowed Lincoln time to hone his speaking skills. He argued cases before judges and continued to write. He also gave advice, whether it was asked for or not, in his letters. He also wrote some advice to new attorneys that could have been part of a speech. The text of his writing is here.
Read the document, then answer the following questions:
1. Lincoln regularly gave advice in his writings, whether it was asked for or not. Do you think this advice was appreciated by the recipient?
2. What was some the advice that Lincoln offered to young attorneys? List at least three and describe their importance
3. Lincoln counseled the lawyers to look for ways to settle disputes out of court. Why do you think he advised this?
4. What was one of the long term effects of Lincoln riding from one courthouse to another for a number of years, especially later when he decided to re-enter politics?
5. What are some of the characteristics in these writings that made Lincoln a good politician?