Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Abraham Lincoln	Edward Bates	Salmon P. Chase	William H. Seward
Dad – Thomas – illiterate but “born storyteller” Mother – Nancy Hanks Stepmother – Sarah Sister – Sarah – died as young adult Ann Rutledge – first love Mary Todd – wife Sons: Robert Todd Edward (died 1850) William (died 1862) Thomas (Tad) Joshua Speed  - best friend John Nicolay – private secretary John Hay – 2nd assistant Vice Presidents: 1st term – Hannibal Hamlin 2nd term – Andrew Johnson	Attorney General Julia – wife Parents died early in his life, Bates and siblings sent to live with relatives	Treasury Department Chief Justice of Supreme Court Widower Kate – daughter William Sprague – Kate’s husband Parents died early, Chase sent to strict boarding school Minor speech defect Edwin Stanton – friend Anti-slavery	Secretary of State Frances – wife Thurlow Weed – campaign manager Husky speaking voice Defining moment – Seward and family traveled south, witnessed slavery and came home
Other Cabinet Members:	Cabinet Members, 2nd Administration	Union Generals	Confederate Generals
Simon Cameron – Secretary of War Edwin Stanton – replaced Cameron as Secretary of War 1862 Cable Smith – Secretary of Interior Gideon Wells – Secretary of Navy Montgomery Blair – Postmaster General (1964 resigned)	James Harlan – Secretary of Interior William Pitt Fessenden – Treasury (replaced Chase) Hugh McCulloch – Treasury, 2nd term William Dennison – Postmaster General	Sherman McClellan - dismissed Scott Ulysses S. Grant Fremont – dismissed McDowell Henry Halleck John Pope Ambrose Burnside – replaced McClellan	Robert E. Lee Stonewall Jackson – died in battle James Longstreet

For discussion:

NOTE:  All page numbers refer to the paperback edition.

1.            Discuss how Lincoln handled the early defeats in his political career.  How was this important to his later success?

2.            Discuss how the three losing candidates reacted to Lincoln’s nomination for president.  Can you, in particular, emphasize with Seward?

3.            Do you agree with Lincoln’s rationale behind the selection of his cabinet?

·         Do you think he made wise choices?

·         Review how he convinced Seward and Chase to accept.  (pages 317 & 318)

4.            Discuss Chase’s bid for the presidency in 1864 at Lincoln’s expense.  Did this alter your opinion of either Chase or Lincoln?

·         What did you think about Chase’s repeated letters of resignation?  What do you think his thoughts were when Lincoln accepted the fourth one?

5.            What did you think about General McClellan and his actions both regarding the battles and his vocal opinion of Lincoln?

6.            Discuss Lincoln’s decision making process.  Consider how he used the cabinet, asking each to make an individual decision and send him a written response.

·         He often let others think they had made the decision or had an influence when in fact he had already made the decision.  (see page 412)

7.            Discuss Lincoln’s preparation for the Emancipation Proclamation.

·         He waited for an army victory to be sure country’s mood was receptive.

·         His calculated reply to Greeley’s letter in order to educate public on link between emancipation and getting more soldiers.

8.            Contrast the political debates of Lincoln’s time with today’s political campaigns.

·         For example – 4 hour speeches were the norm; newspapers reported biased accounts depending on their political leaning

9.            Consider the public interest in the 1850s compared to today.  In 1850, ¾ or population voted.  What made the difference in the amount of interest and participation?

10.          Discuss Lincoln’s gift of storytelling and how he used that to his advantage.

11.          Lincoln repeatedly took responsibility for the mistakes of others.  How effective was this to his leadership?  (see pages 345 and 413)

12.          What characteristics made Lincoln a great leader?   Would he be as great today?