While the United States faced existential crises from its inception, Abraham Lincoln stared down one of the most daunting tasks in American history when he was elected in 1860.
The issue of slavery had been front and center for decades, and Lincoln attempted to keep the Union intact in the firestorm that led up to the outbreak of the Civil War just one month into him taking presidential office.
LSU historian Dr. Jonathan Earle will delve into that topic Tuesday at The Woman’s Department Club as part of The Noel Speaker Series.
Earle, author of “He has the People: Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1860,” will offer a presentation at 6 p.m. with a reception and book signing at 7 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, but community members are asked to register ahead of time.
“While Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 is often remembered primarily as a milestone on the road to the Civil War, it also represents one of the greatest constitutional crises in American history,” said Dr. Alexander Mikaberidze, LSUS historian and holder of the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair, which funds events like Earle’s presentation. “By the time Lincoln was elected, tensions over slavery had been simmering for decades.
“The central question was not only whether slavery would expand into new territories, but also whether the constitutional system itself could continue to hold together amid profound political, economic, and moral divisions.”
Earle is the Donald Cecil Delaune Professor in LSU’s history department and serves as dean of LSU’s Ogden Honors College.
His six books examine some facet of the U.S. institution of slavery and its impact.
Tuesday’s event at The Woman’s Department Club is the third such event that LSUS has hosted.
“The Woman’s Department Club has become an increasingly attractive venue for LSUS events because it combines historical significance, community presence, and a welcoming atmosphere,” Mikaberidze said. “As one of Shreveport’s most notable historic institutions, it provides a setting that complements programs focused on history, culture, and civic engagement.
“The venue also helps strengthen connections between the university and the broader community. Rather than limiting events to campus spaces, hosting programs at the Woman’s Department Club brings LSUS into a well-known civic and cultural setting that is accessible to a wide audience.”