Lincoln's Constitution

the long version

Daniel Farber explains how Abraham Lincoln faced the inevitable constitutional issues brought on by the Civil War. Examining what arguments Lincoln made in defence of his actions and how his words and deeds fit into the context of the times, Farber illuminates Lincoln's actions by placing them squarely within their historical moment. The answers here are crucial not only for a better understanding of the Civil War but also for shedding light on issues - state sovereignty, presidential power, and limitations on civil liberties in the name of national security - that continue to test the limits of constitutional law even today.