Abraham Lincoln Memorial

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Background Information

When viewing the Abraham Lincoln memorial we can clearly see that it is memorializing Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. He was born on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. He was the main leader in the path to ending slavery and conquering the conflict. He also is known for his actions in preserving the Union through many different challenges of the Civil War. He passed away at the young age of 56 on, April 15,1865 in Washington D.C. The death of Abraham Lincoln was caused by assassination.

The Memorial that was put up in honor of Lincoln is a huge building in the form of a Greek Doric Temple. Inside the building you will find a massive statue of Lincoln. The memorial has 36 exterior columns to represent the 25 unions and 11 seceded states at the time of Lincolns assassination. The entirety of the memorial is made out of granite, marble, and limestone. The statue is a total of 29 feet high with the pedestal being 10 feet high and Lincoln being 19 feet high.

This memorial has a background of issues when being built. The idea was first brought up after congress formed the Lincoln Memorial Association, while planning the building issues came up with being able to fund the project. It was then abandoned in 1867. Almost 40 years later the idea of the memorial was revived when there was a federally funded city improvement project, this was able to fix the funding problem. The cite was then chosen and so were the architect and designer.

After being able to get over the obstacle of funding the memorial was done. The purpose of the memorial is to honor and remember Lincoln and his successes on ending slavery and the memorial is also used as a way of union to bring people together. The memorial was built as soon as they could after Lincoln passed.

Meaning of Lincoln Memorial

When looking at the Lincoln memorial we see many pieces of writing around the building. The message that is being portrayed in this memorial is the right of free speech and civil rights, these were Lincolns main goals in life. Many people gather here for rallies and big speeches, this includes the famous “I Have a Dream” speech that was said by Martin Luther King Jr. ” IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER”. This is what is inscribed onto the wall just above Lincolns statue.

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How does this portray Lincoln

All the memorials built for Abraham Lincoln, Statues in Boston, Chicago and Washington D.C all portray something different. These memorials were put up to show the union of people and is meant to be used as a building of equality and people being able to come together. There is a perspective and it is said to portray Lincoln as this god to Black Americans. These memorials make Lincoln look like this savior when he wasn’t the only one who helped end slavery, although he played a big role everyone seems to look past the part where Black Americanas also played a huge role.

Opinions

The opinions on Abraham Lincoln varied from when the memorial was first built to now. As we know there has been an uprising since 2020 in The Black Lives Matter protest. Through this people started to view Lincoln and his memorials, there started some controversy in all his memorials. Lincoln has a total of 3 memorials in, Washington D.C, Boston and Chicago. When these memorials were first build people were thrilled and were very proud because it was always said that Abraham was an important figure to our society in ending slavery. Citizens supported the idea of the plan to build these memorials. But now people have begun to question these memorials.

Taking a look into the Boston memorial we can view the different perspectives of people and what they believe, in 2020 there was a vote to take down the memorial. This lead to the actual taking down of the memorial. Next, the memorial in Chicago is also said to be wrong. The memorial in Washington D.C has had a lot of controversy in 2023 Congress Women Eleanor Holmes Norton reintroduced a bill to remove the statue and have it be placed in a museum with an explanation of its meaning.

People said that the way the memorials were being portrayed was not the correct message. Citizens say that it doesn’t show how African Americans also fought for their freedom from slavery but instead these memorials show that Abraham Lincoln was the only one who did anything and obscuring the role in which more than just Lincoln played. Although when these were first being built people were supportive of it, they never looked deep into what these are actually portraying.

The discussion surrounding the potential removal of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial reflects broader conversations in the U.S. about how to navigate complex historical legacies. There are strong arguments on both sides, but the decision should thoughtfully weigh the need to confront historical injustices against the importance of preserving and educating about the full scope of American history. Rather than demolishing monuments, a more constructive approach might be to utilize them as platforms for dialogue, education, and reflection.

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Comparing the Pros and Cons

Pros of taking the memorial down:

Addressing Historical Context and Controversy: One argument for getting rid of the Lincoln Memorial is about bringing the memorial in line with contemporary sensibilities. Although Lincoln is widely praised for his position on slavery, some deem his views on race problematic by today’s standards. For example, he originally supported shipping freed slaves out of the United States and made several comments about the inferiority of blacks that reflected the prejudices of his time. Critics say the memorial should not serve as an unqualified tribute to a man whose views, like so many of those of his time, changed over the years, particularly if any of these views seem antithetical to modern ideals of racial equality.

Reexamining Symbolism: Another point of contention is the memorial’s symbolism. As monuments in public spaces have become scrutinized, some say that they should represent contemporary ideals of inclusivity and equality. There are worries that the existence of such monuments continues to uphold antiquated notions or presents a reductive, two-dimensional picture of history that fails to reflect the intricacies of the nation’s history.

Reflecting on Power Dynamics: Some advocates of removal argue that removing the memorial would represent a move away from venerating white male historical figures in favor of a more inclusive representation of American history. They contend that it is more important to uplift the voices of underrepresented groups, particularly those who have long been all but written out of the national story.

Reallocation of Resources: Tearing down the Lincoln Memorial will leave room for more diverse memorials that truly honor the vast range of American experiences. Advocates of replacing the memorial say these new spaces can promote a more inclusive and nuanced discourse about the country’s past. Some thoughts on these already exist.

Cons of taking the memorial down:

Preserving Historical Legacy: One of the best arguments in favor of saving the Lincoln Memorial is the need to remember history. In this light, the memorial embodies Lincoln’s ability to lead the nation through its most turbulent time. It honors his role in ending slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation and his steadfast determination to preserve the Union. Removing the memorial could be interpreted as eliminating an important part of American history and overlooking the steps that Lincoln embodied.
Educational Value: The Lincoln Memorial has educational significance not only as a teaching tool about his presidency but about the larger story of American democracy, the Civil War, and the evolution of civil rights. Taking it out might deny future generations a critical historical landmark. It could also undermine efforts to move the discussion about Lincoln’s legacy past simple articles to settle or dispute an answer to a stupid question.
Risk of Setting a Dangerous Precedent: The Lincoln Memorial removal would establish a dangerous precedent regarding all other monuments and memorials. If the memorial comes down over a controversy surrounding Lincoln’s full legacy, there are likely to be renewed calls for reconsideration of other monuments to historical figures with complex legacies. Such moves could pave the way for a broader effort to topple monuments that some consider unsuitable, one that could erase critical signposts in history.
Potential for Divisiveness: Dismantling the Lincoln Memorial could cause major public discord, given the memorial’s status as a national symbol. For most Americans, Lincoln is a symbol of liberty, equality, and unity all in one. Taking down the memorial could incite backlash from those who see such an action as an affront to the nation’s foundational principles, widening a societal rift over how history should be interpreted.
Encouraging Dialogue: Rather than removing monuments, some say that we ought to grapple with the complexities of history directly. The memorial to Lincoln would become not “pieties that adorn the verdigris bronze” — those “pieties” are very much in evidence at the Lincoln Memorial today — but a recontextualization with plaques, interpretive signage, or public discussions that acknowledge Lincoln’s understanding of race over time and the ways in which he fell short. This would leave the nation to confront difficult truths about its past and yet still reflect the positive elements of Lincoln’s legacy.