It was the United States Presidential election of 1861 that Lincoln earned the largest position to lead from as he became the 16th President of the nation just a month before the Civil War began. As a newly elected President, Lincoln’s ability to lead would be immediately put to the test as he faced the task of uniting a nation that was now divided and at war. During Lincoln’s four years as the commander and chief there are an innumerable amount of actions that displayed his great qualities of leadership but there are two that truly defined what kind of leader he was. The first that came was the Emancipation Proclamation. On September 22nd 1862. Lincoln drafted and issued the Emancipation Proclamation that in essence was the first order that jump started the abolishment of slavery in a country that had been driven by it since its inception. Lincoln’s standpoint on slavery was not popular among all but his belief that slavery had no place in our nation was a belief that would gain the support of millions. Lincoln’s decision to issue the Emancipation was one that required a true leader to carry out, he knew there would be resistance but he knew it was the right course of action. Lincoln’s second action that displayed his tremendous leadership would be the famous Gettysburg Address. Following a Union victory at the battle at Gettysburg which was one of the most brutal and important battles of the Civil War, Lincoln gave a speech that would forever be remembered. Shortly after a battle that left over 50,000 men dead from both sides, Lincoln would capture the nation in just 273 words. In Lincoln’s address he would tell a tale of what it was this war was for, and what the goal was when it was finished, these ideals were all based off the Declaration of independence’s words that “all men are created equal” and Lincoln’s interpretation that this meant all men regardless of color. Lincoln painted a post war picture that included a “new birth of freedom”. Within the address lied Lincoln’s beliefs of human equality and desire to preserve the government structure that was inscribed in the Declaration drafted in 1776. Lincoln did not have to say much and that was because his words were something he so strongly believed in and that among many other attributes made him one of the greatest leaders of all.>