Lincoln and Washington lived in different eras and served as the President of the United States. George Washington was the first president, while Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th president of the country until he was assassinated in 1865.
Washington is one of the founding fathers of the nation, who envisioned a free country and supported the American Revolutionary War. Washington is regarded as the father of the nation whose military strategies and leadership during the Revolutionary War are still studied to this day.
Abraham Lincoln was more of a politician than a soldier. Lincoln was educated and earned an honorary Doctor of Law at the prestigious Columbia University. He is credited with the abolishing of slavery in America.
Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington are names that will always be included in books discussing influential leaders in American history.
Abraham Lincoln
Born on February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman, lawyer, and politician who served as the 16th President of the United States (1861-1865).
Lincoln was the president who led America through the American Civil War in the 1860s. Abraham Lincoln envisioned a free United States, where every man, woman, or child should be able to enjoy freedom.
Lincoln led the nation through the only civil war in its history to defend the nation as a constitutional union. The Union defeated the insurgent confederacy and abolished slavery in the United States.
Lincoln was born into poverty but was ambitious to make a difference in society. Lincoln was self-educated and later went on to become a lawyer. His political ambition led him to become an Illinois state legislator, a U.S. representative from Illinois, and a Whig Party leader.
Abraham Lincoln returned to Springfield, Illinois in 1849 to continue his law practice. He decided to re-enter politics after the Kansas-Nebraska Act was implemented in 1854- opening the territories to slavery.
Lincoln became the leader of the new Republican Party and a few years later ran for president of the United States and won the election by a huge margin.
Southern states perceived Lincoln’s election as president as a threat to end slavery, so they left the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.
The Confederate States of America started to seize all federal military bases in the South. The Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina just barely one after Lincoln assumed office as present.
Lincoln mobilised the Union forces, suppressing the Confederate forces and restoring the Union.
Also Read: Statue of Liberty vs Statue of Unity: Difference and Comparison
George Washington
George Washington, born on February 22, 1732, was an American politician and the first president of the United States, serving two tenures from 1789 to 1797.
Washington was a military officer who was appointed by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 as commander of the Continental Army. Washington’s military strategies and leadership led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War.
In 1787, Washington served as the president of the Constitutional Convention- an initiative which established the U.S. federal government and ratified the Constitutional Convention.
Washington served as the surveyor of Culpeper County in the Colony of Virginia from 1749 to 1750. Washington also received military training and was later appointed as commander of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War.
Washington was named a delegate to the Continental Congress of Philadelphia after he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. He was later appointed as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
An experienced Washington led his forces to victory, defeating the British in the American Revolutionary War. The victory over the British led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the United States as an independent nation.
After the American Revolutionary War, Washington resigned his commission in 1783. George Washington played an important role in adopting and ratifying the U.S. Constitution.
Also Read: Juneteenth Day vs MLK Day: Difference and Comparison
Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington: Key Difference between Abraham Lincoln and George Washington
Abraham Lincoln and George Washington served as the 16th and 1st presidents of the United States. Lincoln and Washington are the two most influential and revered figures in American history.
Lincoln and Washington served as presidents in different eras. While Washington is regarded as the father of the nation who fought for the independence of the nation, Lincoln is credited with abolishing slavery.
George Washington served two tenures as the president of the United States, whereas Lincoln only served one tenure as he was assassinated in 1865.
Lincoln was a lawyer, a statesman, and a politician who preserved the Union by defeating the Confederate forces of the South.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and passage of the 13th Amendment are highlights of his commitment to equality and right to freedom.
Washington was a military officer who led the resistance against the British in the American Revolutionary War. His presidency was more focused on the formation of a strong independent and federal government.
Lincoln and Washington faced challenges during their time as president. Washington was a military leader and a politician who is known for his stoicism and unwavering commitment to republican values.
Lincoln’s presidency was marked by his effort to preserve the union and his approach was characterized by his moral convictions to communicate his ideas to all Americans.
Also Read: BBC vs CNN: Difference and Comparison
Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington: Military Service
George Washington was a military officer known for his military strategies and leadership.
Washington was a military officer who was appointed by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 as commander of the Continental Army. Washington’s military strategies and leadership led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War.
Before then, he was a Lieutenant Colonel who led an expedition to Fort Duquesne in 1754. Washington was an aide to British General Edward Braddock on the Monongahela expedition in 1755.
Washington fought from many fronts from 1755 to 1781. He led his forces to defeat the British in 1781 and after two years, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief.
In contrast, Abraham Lincoln only served as Captain in the Black Hawk War, in a non-combat role.
It’s quite understandable that both presidents lived in a different era in American history. Washington lived in a period when America was fighting for independence from the British, while Lincoln lived in a time when slavery was a factor that divided the North and South.
Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington: Death
It’s a fact that the first president of the United States never lived to witness the discovery of dinosaur fossils on Earth.
According to Wikipedia, Washington died earlier than expected. On his deathbed, Washington instructed his private sectary not to bury him until three days after his death.
The report is that Washington died on December 14, 1799, just two months before his 68th birthday.
Unlike Washington, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the president’s booth at Ford’s Theatre.
On the evening of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth entered the back of Lincoln’s theatre box. The assailant crept up from behind before firing at the back of Lincoln’s head.
Lincoln was seated at Ford’s Theatre alongside his wife Mary Todd, Clara Harris, and Henry Rathbone. Lincoln was mortally wounded and was taken to Peterson House.
Lincoln was in a coma for about 8 hours and was later pronounced dead on the morning of April 15, 1865.
Also Read: Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris: Difference and Comparison
Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington: Comparison Chart
| Abraham Lincoln | George Washington | |
| Presidency | 16th president of the U.S. from 1861 to 1865 | The first president of the U.S. from 1789 to 1797 |
| Major achievements | Led the Union forces through the American Civil War and abolished slavery | A military officer who led the Revolutionary War and established several government precedents, Farewell Address and Judiciary Act |
| Leadership style | Empathized moral conviction, accessible communication | Stoic, prioritized republican values |
| Main challenge | Civil War, slavery and preserving the union | Establishing a stable and reliable national government, setting precedents and foreign policy |
| Impact on Slavery | An abolitionist who abolished slavery | Owned a good number of slaves but freed them in his will. Presided over a country that allowed slavery |
| Notable speeches | Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s second inaugural address | Farewell address |
Conclusion
Lincoln and Washington are historical figures in the founding of America and the abolition of slavery. The first and sixteenth presidents of the United States lived in a different era.
Lincoln’s presidency was marked by his effort to preserve the union and his approach was characterized by his moral convictions to communicate his ideas to all Americans, while Washington’s presidency was more focused on the formation of a strong independent and federal government.
Recommendations
- Glock vs M1911: Difference and Comparison
- AK-47 vs AR-15: Difference and Comparison
- Heathrow Airport vs Gatwick Airport: Difference vs Comparison
- American Dad vs Family Guy: Difference and Comparison
- American Akita vs Japanese Akita: Difference and Comparison
References
- Wikipedia: George Washington
