Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Authors: Doris Kearns Goodwin
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Overview
My book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, tells the story of Lincoln’s political rise through the lens of his relationships with his rivals, and how he leveraged their strengths to navigate the tumultuous years of the Civil War. Beyond a straightforward biographical account, I offer an analysis of the leadership skills and political strategies that Lincoln employed to unify a divided nation and ultimately bring about the end of slavery in the United States. My target audience includes readers interested in history, politics, and leadership, and those seeking a deeper understanding of Lincoln’s presidency and the Civil War.
I argue that Lincoln’s success stemmed not only from his moral convictions but from his mastery of political strategy, his ability to build consensus among competing factions, his capacity to transcend personal animosity, and his profound understanding of public sentiment. Through his actions and his writings, he was able to transform public opinion and ultimately reshape the nation’s moral, political, and economic landscape.
This book is relevant to current issues and debates surrounding leadership, political polarization, and the challenges of governing in a democracy. It offers practical insights for anyone interested in the art of leadership, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and the power of empathy in achieving enduring success. By highlighting Lincoln’s effective use of storytelling, humor, and persuasive rhetoric, it provides a template for effective communication, negotiation, and team-building.
Book Outline
1. Four Men Waiting
This chapter introduces the four rivals– Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates– and sets the stage for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination. Each man, driven by ambition and shaped by the forces of a rapidly changing America, left his home in the East to seek opportunity and build a life in the West.
Key concept: The hologram metaphor: “Just as a hologram is created through the interference of light from separate sources, so the lives and impressions of those who companioned Lincoln give us a clearer and more dimensional picture of the president himself.”
2. The “Longing to Rise”
This chapter delves into the early lives and careers of the four rivals, exploring the forces that shaped their individual characters and worldviews. Each man rose from humble beginnings and achieved a measure of success in law and politics by sheer talent, hard work, and a profound belief in his own capacity.
Key concept: The “Longing to Rise”: This pervasive ambition to rise above one’s circumstances, shattering class boundaries and achieving personal and professional success, was a defining characteristic of Americans in Lincoln’s generation.
3. The Lure of Politics
This chapter explores the political landscape of antebellum America, with its emphasis on participatory democracy and the importance of speech-making prowess for achieving success. Politics was a natural choice for ambitious young men of the day, providing them an arena to showcase their talents, serve their communities, and build their reputations.
Key concept: The Lure of Politics: “Scarcely have you descended on the soil of America,” wrote Alexis de Tocqueville, “when you find yourself in the midst of a sort of tumult; a confused clamor is raised on all sides; a thousand voices come to your ear at the same time, each of them expressing some social needs.”
4. “Plunder & Conquest”
This chapter delves into the contentious national debate surrounding the Mexican-American War, a conflict that brought to the forefront the issue of slavery expansion into new territories. The chapter highlights the differing views of the four rivals on both the war and slavery itself, establishing their initial positions on this defining issue that would eventually lead to Civil War.
Key concept: “Plunder & Conquest”: This was Bates’ assessment of the Mexican-American War, which he viewed as an unjust and unconstitutional act of aggression on the part of President Polk, designed to seize territory from Mexico.
5. The Turbulent Fifties
This chapter describes the tumultuous decade of the 1850s, marked by a series of escalating crises and compromises on slavery that led to the gradual disintegration of the nation’s political and social fabric. The chapter explores the changing attitudes of each of the four rivals toward slavery and the growing sectional divide.
Key concept: The Plague of Frogs: “We read in Holy Writ, that a certain people were cursed by the plague of frogs, and that the plague was everywhere!” The same affliction, Benton argued, plagued the nation as the slavery debate, like a pestilence, came to infest national discourse.
6. The Gathering Storm
This chapter details the events leading up to Lincoln’s famous 1858 Senate race against Stephen Douglas, a contest considered the most significant in American history. The chapter highlights the political machinations and strategic decisions by the rivals in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision, which led to the formation of the Republican Party and Lincoln’s emergence as its leader in Illinois.
Key concept: The Metaphor of the Unfinished House: “When we see a lot of framed timbers, different portions of which we know have been gotten out at different times and places by different workmen…and when we see these timbers joined together, and see they exactly make the frame of a house…we find it impossible to not believe that Stephen and Franklin and Roger and James all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked upon a common plan or draft drawn up before the first lick was struck.” With this metaphor, Lincoln asserted the existence of a proslavery conspiracy to overturn the original intentions of the Founding Fathers.
7. Countdown to the Nomination
This chapter details Lincoln’s careful maneuvering to position himself for the presidential nomination while simultaneously endeavoring to maintain the precarious unity of the newly formed Republican Party. The chapter focuses on the strengths Lincoln brought to the race for the nomination that distinguished him from his rivals.
Key concept: The Concept of Availability: Lincoln’s men argued that while other candidates might possess greater experience and renown, he was the one most likely to win. He was, as one campaigner put it, “available.”
8. Showdown in Chicago
This chapter recounts the dramatic events leading up to Lincoln’s unexpected victory at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. The strategic blunders of Seward, the overconfidence of Chase, the miscalculations of Bates, and Lincoln’s patient, astute maneuvering are explored.
Key concept: The Stop Seward Movement: The Republican Convention opened with Seward, the best-known candidate, considered the overwhelming choice to head the ticket. But an informal coalition formed to “stop Seward”, arguing that his radical pronouncements on slavery and immigration would prove damaging to Republicans in the general election.
9. “A Man Knows His Own Name”
This chapter examines the immediate responses to Lincoln’s nomination by the press and by the defeated candidates, revealing the widespread skepticism toward Lincoln’s capacity for the presidency and the depth of animosity within the Republican Party. The chapter details Lincoln’s strategic outreach to Seward, Chase, and Bates to ensure their cooperation in unifying the party and winning the fall election.
Key concept: “A man knows his own name”: The Democratic press relished Lincoln’s obscurity, mockingly referring to him as ‘Abram’ instead of ‘Abraham’ and accusing the Republicans of having nominated “a fourth-rate lecturer, who cannot speak good grammar.”
10. “An Intensified Crossword Puzzle”
This chapter focuses on Lincoln’s political acumen as he navigates the early months of his presidency and the disintegrating Union. Though committed to the Republican platform, Lincoln understood the need to appease the border states and minimize public statements that might further inflame the situation before he officially took office.
Key concept: The Metaphor of the Chessboard: Lincoln’s friend Leonard Swett maintained that “there never was a greater mistake than the impression that Lincoln was a frank, guileless, unsophisticated man.” In fact, “he handled and moved man remotely as we do pieces upon a chessboard.”
11. “I Am Now Public Property”
This chapter details the unprecedented journey Lincoln took from Springfield to Washington, allowing him to gauge the mood of the country and test out language he would use in his inaugural address. The chapter highlights Lincoln’s efforts to build a cabinet that represented all the factions of his new party, despite the opposition of both his wife and Seward.
Key concept: Lincoln as Public Property: During the transition period, Lincoln struggled to satisfy competing claims on his time from office seekers and political advisers, while simultaneously confronting the ominous events that led to the firing on Fort Sumter.
12. “Mystic Chords of Memory”
This chapter details the events surrounding Lincoln’s first inauguration and examines the process by which Lincoln crafted his masterful address, revealing the influence of Seward, Browning, and the Constitution. The chapter concludes with reactions to the speech by his cabinet, the press, and the country at large.
Key concept: The Better Angels of Our Nature: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
13. “The Ball Has Opened”
This chapter explores the immediate crisis that confronted Lincoln as president, when he had to decide whether or not to provision Fort Sumter in the face of near unanimous opposition from his cabinet. Lincoln’s determination to ‘hold’ government property ultimately led to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter and the commencement of the Civil War.
Key concept: Team of Rivals: Lincoln, in an unprecedented move, chose to appoint his chief rivals for the presidential nomination to his cabinet– Seward as Secretary of State, Chase as Treasury Secretary, and Bates as Attorney General.
14. “I Do Not Intend to Be Sacrificed”
This chapter highlights the strengths and the weaknesses of McClellan’s character, and examines his fractious relationship with Lincoln and his cabinet colleagues during the early months of the war.
Key concept: God has placed a great work in my hands: McClellan, appointed by Lincoln to lead the Union Army, saw himself as a man of destiny called by God to save the country and considered himself better equipped to be president than Lincoln.
15. “We Are in the Depths”
This chapter examines the difficult period of 1861-1862, with its disheartening defeats on the battlefield and its contentious debates on the home front over the issue of emancipation. The chapter focuses on Lincoln’s growing leadership as he struggled to balance the disparate views of his cabinet members, the radicals in Congress, and a divided public opinion, while simultaneously dealing with a series of personal and political disasters, including the death of his son Willie and the dismissal of Fremont.
Key concept: The Snake Metaphor: “If I saw a venomous snake crawling in the road, any man would say I might seize the nearest stick and kill it; but if I found that snake in bed with my children, that would be another question. I might hurt the children more than the snake, and it might bite them…. But if there was a bed newly made up, to which the children were to be taken, and it was proposed to take a batch of young snakes and put them there with them, I take it no man would say there was any question how I ought to decide!” This metaphor illustrated Lincoln’s position on slavery: acknowledging the constitutional protection of slavery where it legally existed, but vehemently opposing its expansion into the new territories.
17. “My Word is Out”
This chapter examines the evolution of Lincoln’s thinking on emancipation, and describes the forces that led him in the late summer of 1862 to issue his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, an act that transformed the war from a struggle to save the Union into a crusade for freedom.
Key concept: My word is out: Lincoln, having committed himself publicly to issuing an Emancipation Proclamation, resisted the advice of his cabinet and his political allies, determined to keep his word.
16. “He Was Simply Out-Generaled”
This chapter describes the agonizing period of early 1862, a time when Lincoln wrestled with the conflicting advice of his generals and his cabinet colleagues regarding a plan of action for the Army of the Potomac. The chapter focuses on McClellan’s failures as a general, Lincoln’s slowness in replacing him, and Stanton’s emergence as a powerful leader in the War Department.
Key concept: He was simply out-generaled: As Lincoln confronted a cabinet crisis over McClellan’s disastrous performance in the Peninsula Campaign, McClellan blamed his defeat on Stanton’s failure to provide sufficient reinforcements, accusing both the president and the war secretary of having ‘done their best to sacrifice the army.’
19. “Fire in the Rear”
This chapter details the mounting pressures on Lincoln and his administration in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation, from Copperhead Democrats calling for peace at any price to radicals denouncing the war’s slow progress. Lincoln defended his proclamation, suppressed Copperhead dissent, and orchestrated a series of public rallies to strengthen the flagging morale of the North.
Key concept: Fire in the Rear: Faced with mounting criticism in the North from Copperhead politicians and newspaper editors who denounced the Emancipation Proclamation and the war itself, Lincoln likened the dissension to a “fire in the rear” that threatened to destroy the Union’s cause.
20. “The Tycoon Is in Fine Whack”
This chapter recounts the growing opposition to Lincoln in 1864 as his reelection bid seemed doomed. War weariness, a string of military setbacks, and the divisive issues of slavery and reconstruction led many in his own party to conclude a new leader was needed. The chapter focuses on Lincoln’s mastery of his cabinet and his relationship with Grant, whose tenacity and strategic skill would eventually bring about a shift in the tide of the war.
Key concept: There’s a Man in It!: Lincoln, when asked to explain his confidence in Grant’s military leadership, invoked the famous automaton chess player who had astonished the world by beating even the best human players. After one crushing defeat, a frustrated human opponent cried out, “There’s a man in it!” The same, said Lincoln, referring to Grant, was true for the success of the Union Army.
21. “Still in Wild Water”
This chapter describes Lincoln’s maneuvering to manage the continuing feuds within his cabinet and among his generals. He relieved the controversial Hooker from command and weathered the storm that followed in the wake of the arrest of Vallandigham, the Copperhead leader. The chapter highlights Lincoln’s deep respect for Stanton, his burgeoning friendship with Grant, his tolerance for Chase, and his skillful handling of the Blairs.
Key concept: “Still in Wild Water”: Even after the great twin victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in the summer of 1863, the president recognized that his country, like the raft he had earlier described in navigating the issue of emancipation, was “still in wild water.”
22. “There’s a Man in It!”
This chapter details the intricate political machinations that preceded Lincoln’s nomination for a second term in 1864, culminating in the dramatic Republican Convention at Baltimore.
Key concept: There’s a Man in It!: Once again, when asked about Grant, Lincoln invoked the image of the automaton chess player, saying, “There’s a man in it!”
23. “Atlanta Is Ours”
This chapter examines the events surrounding Lincoln’s reelection in 1864, focusing on the bitter struggle between Republicans and Democrats and on the divisive issue of reconstruction. Lincoln’s careful balancing of the moderate and radical wings of the Republican party, his handling of the Confederate peace overtures, and his increasingly intimate partnership with Seward are highlighted.
Key concept: The Bed of Procrustes: In this analogy, Lincoln compared the rigidity of the Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill to the iron bed of Procrustes, a mythical figure who cut off the legs of captives too tall for his bed and stretched the limbs of those too short.
25. “A Sacred Effort”
This chapter recounts the dramatic passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery in the United States. Lincoln’s skillful lobbying on behalf of the amendment and the strategic maneuvering of both sides are detailed. The chapter highlights Mary’s continuing financial problems, her grief over Willie’s death, and her strained relationship with the president.
Key concept: “A King’s cure for all the evils”: Lincoln deemed the Thirteenth Amendment, which permanently abolished slavery in the United States, “a King’s cure for all the evils” that slavery had produced.
24. “There’s a Man in It!”
This chapter describes Lincoln’s last months in the White House, as he dealt with the political anxieties of reconstruction, the personal demands of a fractious cabinet, and the endless flow of office seekers, while also struggling with his wife’s bouts of depression and Tad’s childhood illness. The chapter highlights Lincoln’s deepening relationship with Stanton and Seward, and his continued love of theater.
Key concept: Duncan is in his grave; After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well: While waiting for the final battles that would bring the war to an end, Lincoln found comfort and solace in the plays of Shakespeare. Seward shared his love of theater. The two men attended dozens of performances together, relishing both the plays and the actors of what is considered the golden age of the American stage.
26. “The Final Weeks”
This chapter focuses on the dramatic last weeks of Lincoln’s life, culminating with his assassination at Ford’s Theater. As Union victories brought the war to an end, Lincoln sought to move the country toward peace and reconciliation. He reaffirmed his intention to maintain a lenient policy toward the defeated rebels in a speech at the White House, declaring that “with malice toward none, with charity for all…let us strive on to finish the work we are in…to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace.”
Key concept: Let them have their horses to plow with, and, if you like, their guns to shoot crows with. I want no one punished; treat them liberally all round. We want those people to return to their allegiance to the Union and submit to the laws.
Essential Questions
1. What constituted Lincoln’s political genius?
Lincoln’s mastery of politics can be attributed to a rare combination of personal qualities, political skills, and historical circumstance. He possessed an exceptional ability to build relationships with people from all walks of life, earning their trust and affection. This talent, evident from his early days on the legal circuit, served him well in the tumultuous world of Washington politics, where he was able to transcend personal animosity to form bonds with men who had previously opposed him. Moreover, his humble background and lack of formal education imbued him with a humility and willingness to learn from others. Finally, he was able to capitalize on the growing national crisis surrounding slavery and the disintegration of the Union to rise to a position of leadership, where he could demonstrate the remarkable political genius that would ultimately define his presidency.
2. How did Lincoln’s views on slavery evolve?
Lincoln, as a product of the tumultuous years leading up to the Civil War, when sectional conflict over the expansion of slavery into the territories dominated the national discourse, was able to unite the disparate elements of the new Republican Party, which sought to prevent that expansion. His personal convictions against slavery, his deep commitment to the Union, and his belief in the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence inspired him to action and motivated him to become a leader in a cause that would ultimately define his career.
3. How did Lincoln manage his team of rivals?
Lincoln’s success in building his “team of rivals” can be attributed to a combination of shrewd political acumen and exceptional personal qualities. Realizing that national unity was essential to the success of both the war effort and the Republican Party, he deliberately chose to surround himself with the strongest men from every faction. Though he surely understood that their clashing ambitions and personalities might endanger his administration, he was confident that he could manage their rivalries. Moreover, his kindness, generosity, and life-affirming humor enabled him to forge close bonds with men who might otherwise have become adversaries.
Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Availability
Lincoln’s victory at the Republican Convention was due in large measure to the effective strategy employed by his team, which focused on promoting his ‘availability.’ While he was not initially the first choice of most delegates, he was nonetheless widely respected and trusted to represent the central principles of the party. When viewed against the liabilities of his better-known rivals, he emerged as the candidate most likely to defeat the Democrats and secure the presidency for the Republicans.
Practical Application:
In the field of product development for artificial intelligence, understanding the importance of ‘availability’ is crucial. When designing a new AI product, it’s not enough to simply focus on its technical capabilities or its potential benefits. It’s essential to assess its market readiness, considering factors such as user needs, existing competition, and potential obstacles to adoption. By carefully evaluating the ‘availability’ of a product and its potential impact on the broader ecosystem, AI product engineers can increase the likelihood of success, avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring that their innovations are both impactful and sustainable.
2. The Art of Persuasion
Lincoln understood that in order to successfully oppose slavery and ultimately bring about its eradication, it was essential to frame the debate in a way that appealed to both the moral convictions of abolitionists and the self-interests of more moderate citizens. While he considered slavery an egregious evil, he resisted the impulse to castigate Southerners, instead arguing that Southerners were ‘just what we would be in their situation.’
Practical Application:
In the realm of AI safety, this takeaway underscores the importance of framing discussions in a way that emphasizes shared goals and common ground. When addressing the potential risks of AI, it’s crucial to avoid alienating key stakeholders, such as researchers, developers, and policymakers, by resorting to inflammatory rhetoric or adopting overly adversarial positions. By demonstrating empathy for differing perspectives and a willingness to collaborate on solutions, we can better foster the trust and cooperation needed to ensure the safe and beneficial development of AI.
3. The Power of Collaboration
Lincoln’s success as president was due, in large measure, to his ability to manage what his secretary called ‘a team of rivals’. Recognizing that each of his cabinet members, including Seward, Chase, and Stanton, possessed exceptional talents and unique strengths, he encouraged them to debate issues openly and to express their divergent opinions, knowing that these differences would help refine his own judgments while also ensuring that every faction of the Republican Party was fully represented in policy decisions.
Practical Application:
In the context of managing teams of AI engineers, this takeaway highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative environment in which team members feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas, even when these may differ from those of their colleagues or their team leader. While efficiency and productivity are essential, it’s crucial to avoid stifling creativity or dissent by imposing rigid hierarchies or discouraging open discussion. By embracing the value of diverse perspectives and promoting a culture of respect and collaboration, team leaders can tap into the unique strengths of each member and thereby optimize the team’s overall performance.
Suggested Deep Dive
Chapter: Chapter 8: Showdown in Chicago
This chapter is particularly insightful for understanding the dynamics of political strategy, the importance of timing, and the challenges of managing competing interests. It offers a detailed account of how Lincoln, a relative unknown, outmaneuvered his more prominent rivals for the presidential nomination, providing valuable insights into the process by which a dark horse candidate can achieve success. This information could be useful for AI product engineers when considering how to successfully promote a new product or innovation in a competitive market.
Memorable Quotes
Chapter 1: Four Men Waiting. 1
“Just as a hologram is created through the interference of light from separate sources, so the lives and impressions of those who companioned Lincoln give us a clearer and more dimensional picture of the president himself.”
Chapter 1: Four Men Waiting. 18
“‘Well, Conkling,’ he said slowly, pulling his long frame up from the settee, ‘I believe I will go back to my office and practice law.’”
Chapter 2: The “Longing to Rise”. 32
“Every American is eaten up with longing to rise,’ Tocqueville wrote. These four men, and thousands more, were not searching for a mythical pot of gold at the edge of the western rainbow, but for a place where their dreams and efforts would carve them a place in a fast-changing society.”
Chapter 3: The Lure of Politics. 55
“There is no Frigate like a Book,’ wrote Emily Dickinson, ‘to take us Lands away.’ Though the young Lincoln never left the frontier, would never leave America, he traveled with Byron’s Childe Harold to Spain and Portugal, the Middle East and Italy; accompanied Robert Burns to Edinburgh; and followed the English kings into battle with Shakespeare.”
Chapter 4: “Plunder & Conquest”. 102
“When the white man governs himself, that is self-government; but when he governs himself, and also governs another man, that is more than self-government—that is despotism.”
Comparative Analysis
“Team of Rivals” stands out for its unique comparative approach, contrasting Lincoln with his contemporaries to reveal a more nuanced understanding of his character and political genius. While many Lincoln biographies focus on his moral and intellectual development, my book underscores the shrewd political instincts and strategic brilliance that allowed him to outmaneuver his rivals for the nomination, then enlist them to serve in his cabinet. This approach echoes the work of the historian Richard Hofstadter, who in his classic book, The American Political Tradition, argued that we should evaluate political leaders less on the basis of their ideology than on the basis of their practical skills. While Hofstadter considered Lincoln a tragic figure, my book presents him as a remarkably effective politician. My study also agrees with the historian David Donald’s assessment that Lincoln’s exceptional capacity for growth was a key to his success. Donald suggests that Lincoln’s humble beginnings, coupled with his lack of formal education, imbued him with humility and a willingness to learn from others that men of Seward and Chase’s prideful and privileged backgrounds never fully achieved.
Reflection
My book offers a fresh perspective on Lincoln’s presidency, highlighting the shrewd political instincts and exceptional personal qualities that enabled him to navigate the tumultuous years of the Civil War. While I may at times exaggerate Lincoln’s political genius, downplaying his limitations or romanticizing his character, I believe there is abundant evidence to support the central thesis of my work—that Lincoln’s success as a leader was inextricably linked to the qualities we generally associate with decency and morality—kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy. My study also seeks to address a larger question that has haunted American historians for generations: Was the sectional conflict that ultimately culminated in the Civil War repressible or irrepressible? I suggest that the war, while not inevitable, was made more likely by the increasingly rigid and ultimately irreconcilable views on slavery that evolved in the North and the South. Finally, my book offers a testament to the power of hope and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. By focusing on Lincoln’s ability to transcend personal tragedy and political defeat, his willingness to listen to the opinions of others, and his enduring faith in the future of his country, I hope to provide inspiration for readers in our own troubled times.