Title: FACT CHECK: Abraham Lincoln and Failure
Headings: Abraham Lincoln and Failure
Abraham Lincoln and Failure
Legend: Abraham Lincoln endured a steady stream of failure and defeat before becoming President of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln Didn’t Quit
1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818: His mother died.
1831: Failed in business.
1832: Ran for state legislature – lost.
1832: Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834: Ran for state legislature again – won.
1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
1840: Sought to become elector – defeated.
1843: Ran for Congress – lost.
1846: Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
1848: Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
1849: Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
1854: Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than 100 votes.
1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
1860: Elected president of the United States.
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Content: He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt. 1834: Ran for state legislature again – won. 1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken. 1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. 1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated. 1840: