Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln, as the 16th President of the United States, led the nation during the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and articulated the value of equality in the Gettysburg Address. His election triggered the secession of southern states, and his leadership, which was brought to an abrupt end by assassination, shaped the course of U.S. history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 marked a critical juncture in American history. As the 16th President of the United States, Lincoln inherited a nation deeply fractured by the issue of slavery. His victory alarmed the southern states, leading to the secession of seven states from the Union even before his inauguration. The secession of these states and the subsequent formation of the Confederate States of America instigated the American Civil War, a conflict that lasted from 1861 to 1865.
During his presidency, Lincoln made the bold step of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared the freedom of slaves within the Confederacy. This action, alongside the Gettysburg Address, where Lincoln underlined the principle of human equality as stated in the Declaration of Independence, amplified the significance of the Civil War. It became not only a fight for the Union's preservation but also a battle to end slavery.
Tragically, Lincoln's leadership was cut short when he was assassinated in 1865. Although he had plans for Reconstruction and sought to reunite the nation swiftly, these were left unrealized due to his untimely death.