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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Appropriation of Abraham Lincoln by Ronald Reagan and Conservative Notions of Lincoln's Legacy, 1980-1989

Stewart, Joseph W
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent149192778845793

Abstract Details

2017, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of History.
This M.A. thesis examines the public rhetoric of American president Ronald Reagan and focuses specifically on the different ways he appropriated the legacy and memory of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's name appears seemingly everywhere in Reagan's speeches, from comedic monologues to scathing diatribes. Rather than just an interesting anecdote in Reagan history however, his appropriation of Lincoln was ideologically saturated and helps define Reagan's world view. Reagan's use of Lincoln also disseminated positive portrayals of the 16th president over a bevy of negative portrayals introduced by some academics during the time period. In Reagan's attempts to appeal to religious groups, he often brought up Lincoln and implied the acceptance of faith and God for both men. He also argued that Lincoln was correct in his reading of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence; all men truly were free and equal. Reagan, unlike many conservatives in the 1980s, saw no problem with Lincoln's elevation of those principles to constitutional status. In these different ways, Reagan had a hand in preserving Americans belief in a pious Lincoln truly devoted to human equality and should be recognized as one of the most prolific "Lincoln appropriators" of the 20th century.
Leonne Hudson (Advisor)
Kevin Adams (Committee Member)
Brian Hayashi (Committee Member)
History
Abraham Lincoln; Ronald Reagan; 1980s; American Presidency; Historical Memory; Anti-intellectualism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stewart, J. W. (2017). The Appropriation of Abraham Lincoln by Ronald Reagan and Conservative Notions of Lincoln's Legacy, 1980-1989 [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent149192778845793

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stewart, Joseph. The Appropriation of Abraham Lincoln by Ronald Reagan and Conservative Notions of Lincoln's Legacy, 1980-1989 . 2017. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent149192778845793.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stewart, Joseph. "The Appropriation of Abraham Lincoln by Ronald Reagan and Conservative Notions of Lincoln's Legacy, 1980-1989 ." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent149192778845793

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.