“Lincoln Unmasked: What You’re Not Supposed to Know About Dishonest Abe” by Thomas J. DiLorenzo is a critical and controversial examination of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and legacy. DiLorenzo, a historian and economist associated with the Austrian School of economics and libertarian views, challenges the traditional, almost universally positive portrayal of Lincoln, offering an alternative perspective on his motives and policies during the Civil War.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the key themes, arguments, and ideas in the book:
Central Thesis:
DiLorenzo argues that Abraham Lincoln is wrongly glorified as a national hero and a champion of freedom, particularly in relation to his role in abolishing slavery. Instead, the book portrays Lincoln as a manipulative, power-hungry politician whose main goal was to expand federal authority and consolidate political power, often at the expense of individual liberty and states’ rights. DiLorenzo believes that Lincoln’s policies paved the way for the growth of an all-powerful federal government and eroded the constitutional principles upon which the United States was founded.
Key Themes and Arguments:
Lincoln’s Motivation Was Not Primarily to Abolish Slavery:
- DiLorenzo argues that Lincoln’s primary motivation for waging the Civil War was not to free the slaves but to preserve the Union and consolidate federal power. According to DiLorenzo, Lincoln’s statements and actions demonstrate that his overriding concern was keeping the Southern states in the Union, even if it meant allowing slavery to continue.
- The Emancipation Proclamation is depicted as a politically expedient tool rather than a moral crusade. DiLorenzo points out that the proclamation only freed slaves in Confederate-held territories, not in the border states or areas of the South already under Union control, implying that Lincoln was more interested in weakening the Confederacy than liberating slaves.
Lincoln’s Violations of Civil Liberties:
- DiLorenzo heavily criticizes Lincoln for his use of executive power during the Civil War, arguing that he violated the Constitution and undermined civil liberties. Lincoln is accused of suspending habeas corpus (the right to challenge unlawful imprisonment), censoring the press, and imprisoning political opponents without trial.
- The book details how Lincoln’s administration shut down newspapers critical of his policies and jailed dissenters, framing these actions as unconstitutional overreach and authoritarianism.
Expansion of Federal Power and the Destruction of States’ Rights:
- DiLorenzo portrays Lincoln as the architect of the modern centralized state, arguing that the Civil War provided the pretext for expanding federal power at the expense of the rights of individual states. Lincoln’s use of military force to compel Southern states to remain in the Union is presented as a violation of the principle of self-determination and an assault on the founding principles of limited government and federalism.
- The author claims that Lincoln’s legacy is the creation of an all-powerful federal government that overrides state sovereignty, a trend that has continued and expanded in the years since his presidency.
The Mythologizing of Lincoln:
- DiLorenzo asserts that Lincoln has been mythologized and turned into a national hero by historians and politicians who have overlooked or downplayed the negative aspects of his presidency. The author criticizes what he calls the “Lincoln cult,” which portrays Lincoln as the “Great Emancipator” and a flawless figure, arguing that this view is simplistic and ignores the complexities of his actions and policies.
- The book suggests that Lincoln’s reputation has been carefully crafted to serve the interests of those who support a powerful, centralized federal government, and that his flaws have been deliberately obscured by mainstream historians.
Economic Policies and Crony Capitalism:
- DiLorenzo delves into Lincoln’s economic policies, particularly his support for protectionism, national banking, and large infrastructure projects funded by the federal government. The author argues that Lincoln’s economic agenda primarily benefited Northern industrialists and railroad companies, creating a system of crony capitalism in which government power was used to enrich a select group of businesses.
- Lincoln’s support for high tariffs, government subsidies for railroads, and centralized banking is presented as evidence that he was more interested in serving the interests of Northern elites than in promoting the welfare of the entire country.
The South’s Right to Secede:
- One of the most controversial arguments in the book is DiLorenzo’s defense of the Southern states’ right to secede from the Union. He argues that the Confederacy’s secession was a legitimate exercise of the principles of self-government and states’ rights, and that Lincoln’s decision to use military force to prevent secession was unconstitutional.
- The author contrasts Lincoln’s actions with earlier political figures like Thomas Jefferson, who had advocated for the right of states to leave the Union if they felt their rights were being violated. DiLorenzo argues that Lincoln’s war to preserve the Union fundamentally changed the nature of the American republic, turning it from a voluntary association of states into a centralized, coercive government.
Racial Views and Lincoln’s Support for Colonization:
- DiLorenzo highlights Lincoln’s often-ignored views on race, pointing out that Lincoln did not initially advocate for racial equality and that he supported the idea of colonizing freed slaves in Africa or Central America, rather than allowing them to remain in the United States as full citizens.
- The author uses Lincoln’s statements from the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates and other speeches to argue that Lincoln’s views on race were far from progressive by modern standards, and that he did not see black Americans as equals. This, according to DiLorenzo, further undermines the image of Lincoln as a principled champion of emancipation and civil rights.
Lincoln’s Role in Shaping the Modern American State:
- DiLorenzo concludes that Lincoln’s presidency marked a turning point in American history, setting the stage for the rise of an all-powerful federal government. He argues that Lincoln’s centralization of power during the Civil War, along with his economic policies, laid the groundwork for the modern American state, in which federal authority often trumps states’ rights and individual freedoms.
- The book frames Lincoln’s legacy as one of expanded government control and a departure from the constitutional principles of limited government and personal liberty that were cherished by the Founding Fathers.
Conclusion:
“Lincoln Unmasked” offers a sharply critical and revisionist view of Abraham Lincoln, challenging the traditional narrative that portrays him as a heroic figure who saved the Union and freed the slaves. DiLorenzo’s book paints Lincoln as a calculating, power-hungry politician whose actions during the Civil War led to the erosion of states’ rights and the expansion of federal power. According to DiLorenzo, Lincoln’s legacy is not one of liberty and equality, but of centralized government control and the destruction of the constitutional principles of limited government and individual freedom.
While the book has been praised by some for its bold critique of Lincoln’s legacy and its defense of states’ rights, it has also been criticized for downplaying the role of slavery in the Civil War and for presenting a sympathetic view of the Confederacy. For readers interested in alternative perspectives on Lincoln and the Civil War, “Lincoln Unmasked” provides a thought-provoking and controversial examination of one of America’s most revered presidents.
