Abraham Lincoln and East Coast Politician
Victor’s part
Vice President
Hannibal Hamlin
1861-1865
First VP from Republican Party
Considered worthless
Only picked because the Republicans needed an East Coast politician to increase their influence
Complained that he was ignored by everyone in Washington
Andrew Johnson
1865
Drunk during Inauguration speech
Would be assassin was drunk instead of completing the job
Lincoln death thought to be a conspiracy
Much hated president by the North
Secretary of State
William H. Seward
1861-1865
Wanted to resign on the night before his inauguration, but Lincoln would not let him
Helped resolve the Trent Affair in which the Confederates sent a mail packet to Great Britain and France asking for support; the Confederates wanted a war between Europe and the Union in order to distract the Union
Helped protect American interests in Alaska
Secretary of the Treasury
Salmon P. Chase
1861-1864
Helped to establish a national banking system and paper currency
Term seemed to be a ploy for personal political gain
Often threaten resignation in order to have his way with Lincoln; to his surprise, Lincoln accepted it on the third time
William P. Fessenden
1864-1865
Appointed upon Chase’s resignation in dark financial hour during inflation
He did not want the job but he was pressured into it
Reduced the amount of currency in circulation and made bonds to combat the nation’s inflation problem
Resigned in 1865 to pursue a career in the Senate
Hugh McColluch
1865
Appointed because of his influence with state banks
Maintained a policy of reducing the federal war debt and he promoted the gradual reintroduction of federal taxation in the South
Secretary of War
Simon Cameron
1861-1862
Nominated as part of a political bargain
Reassigned due to corruption allegations
Famous Quote: “An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.”
Edwin M. Stanton
1862-1865
Devoted much of his time to persecuting Union officers who seemed to
Vice President
Hannibal Hamlin
1861-1865
First VP from Republican Party
Considered worthless
Only picked because the Republicans needed an East Coast politician to increase their influence
Complained that he was ignored by everyone in Washington
Andrew Johnson
1865
Drunk during Inauguration speech
Would be assassin was drunk instead of completing the job
Lincoln death thought to be a conspiracy
Much hated president by the North
Secretary of State
William H. Seward
1861-1865
Wanted to resign on the night before his inauguration, but Lincoln would not let him
Helped resolve the Trent Affair in which the Confederates sent a mail packet to Great Britain and France asking for support; the Confederates wanted a war between Europe and the Union in order to distract the Union
Helped protect American interests in Alaska
Secretary of the Treasury
Salmon P. Chase
1861-1864
Helped to establish a national banking system and paper currency
Term seemed to be a ploy for personal political gain
Often threaten resignation in order to have his way with Lincoln; to his surprise, Lincoln accepted it on the third time
William P. Fessenden
1864-1865
Appointed upon Chase’s resignation in dark financial hour during inflation
He did not want the job but he was pressured into it
Reduced the amount of currency in circulation and made bonds to combat the nation’s inflation problem
Resigned in 1865 to pursue a career in the Senate
Hugh McColluch
1865
Appointed because of his influence with state banks
Maintained a policy of reducing the federal war debt and he promoted the gradual reintroduction of federal taxation in the South
Secretary of War
Simon Cameron
1861-1862
Nominated as part of a political bargain
Reassigned due to corruption allegations
Famous Quote: “An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.”
Edwin M. Stanton
1862-1865
Devoted much of his time to persecuting Union officers who seemed to