Historic Movie Paper

History and Anthropology

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Historic Movie Paper-Lincoln (2012)

Lincoln (2012) is a biopic movie on the American president Abraham Lincoln. It covers the last four months of the US president’s second term when the conflicts between south and north were on peak. This movie has also reflected on the events of civil war, one of the heart aching events in the US history. However, it is focusing the year 1865, when the country was suffering from a war and it had sacrificed thousands of people at its feet. It was the time when the forests and fields of the country were covered with blood and corpses. People were mourning for their beloved ones. Slavery was one of the factors which torn the country into two; the pro-slavery and anti-slavery supporters. It was a crucial time and the president Lincoln decided to come up with 13th Amendment. On the other side, it was felt that the rebellions of south are ready for the peace negotiations.

This movie portrays the struggles of the president Lincoln and he has been in depicted arguing to support the 13th amendment. On the other side, south confederates are willing to give up on war but they are against the 13th amendment. However, the aim of this essay to find out the actual facts and events related to confederate peace demands and the 13th amendment procedure in the legislature.

Furthermore, watching the movie and going through several primary sources the movie seemed factual to me. The overall plot of the movie highlights the early months of 1865, when on one side the confederates were trying to end the war through peace commissioners. On the other side, there was a debate running in the House of Representatives about the 13th Amendment. However, some of the events which were going side by side with these two events and which supported the 13th amendment and helped to end the war, are missing from the movie. For instance, the efforts of Susan B. Anthony a feminist leader who worked hard for women suffrage. However, the movie is focusing two of the events that’s why it does not cover the other historical events of that time. The movie is primarily talking about the president and other politicians who were directly involved in the passing of the 13th amendment in the house. The aim of the 13th amendment was to abolish the slavery system in the United States.

Secondly, the peace movements and the 13th amendments were connected to each other but not the way movie has pointed it out. There are few of the scenes which are absent from the primary sources. For instance, it is shown in the movie that the president Lincoln refuses to the peace talks by Confederates until the 13th amendment is ratified. It is not the truth. The truth is that both of the events were linked and happened at the same time, but they were not connected to each other from beginning, like the movie shows it.

Lincoln is not the 100% percent accurate movie but it is very close to the reality. It is not providing every single detail but more importantly, it has accurately portrayed the major events. It helped me a lot to learn more about the one of the major events of the history. Also, it provides details about the iconic figure of the United States and his efforts for removing social injustice practices from the country.

In conclusion, the movie titled Lincoln is one of the informative movies and it informs about confederate peace demands and the 13th amendment procedure in the legislature in 1865. However, few the events are missing from the movie. Yet, it has closely reflected on both of the events.

Works Cited

Anthony, Susan B. "Susan B. Anthony." The President Speaks (2004): 8.

Sandburg, Carl. Abraham Lincoln: the war years. Vol. 3. Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1939.