Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is a powerful and moving film, but historical accuracy inevitably takes a backseat to dramatic storytelling. While lauded for its captivating performances and generally respectful portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln, the film simplifies complex historical events and exaggerates certain relationships to create a compelling narrative, resulting in a portrayal that is partially accurate but selectively emphasized for cinematic effect.
A Deep Dive into Lincoln’s Historical Accuracy
Lincoln focuses primarily on the final months of the Civil War and Lincoln’s relentless efforts to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. The film meticulously recreates the atmosphere of Washington D.C. and the tense political climate surrounding this crucial moment in American history. However, liberties were taken to condense timelines, highlight certain characters, and streamline the amendment’s passage. While the spirit of Lincoln’s dedication and the challenges he faced rings true, a closer examination reveals several departures from historical record.
Condensation and Simplification
The movie accurately depicts the political maneuvering involved in securing enough votes for the amendment. However, it simplifies the process, compressing weeks of complex negotiations into a shorter timeframe. The film implies a more direct, almost singular focus on the 13th Amendment during this period than was actually the case. Other pressing issues, like reconstruction and the ongoing war effort, still demanded Lincoln’s attention. The portrayal of the amendment’s passage as a purely legislative battle also downplays the public sentiment, social movements, and other factors that contributed to the eventual abolition of slavery.
Character Portrayals and Relationships
Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance as Lincoln is widely praised for its nuance and captures much of the president’s reported mannerisms and voice. However, the film sometimes idealizes Lincoln, portraying him as almost universally admired. While he was undoubtedly a respected leader, he also faced significant opposition and criticism, even within his own party. Similarly, the film’s depiction of Mary Todd Lincoln, while sympathetic, exaggerates her emotional instability and relies heavily on popular, albeit sometimes contested, historical narratives. The relationship between Lincoln and his cabinet is also subject to artistic license, with certain figures given more prominent roles and influence than they held in reality.
The Role of Thaddeus Stevens
The character of Thaddeus Stevens, played by Tommy Lee Jones, is central to the film and accurately reflects his abolitionist zeal and political power. However, the film embellishes the final outcome of the vote on the amendment to portray Stevens as making a deliberately toned-down speech to secure its passage. While he did make concessions to gain support, the extent to which he compromised his true beliefs is a subject of ongoing historical debate. Furthermore, the film portrays Stevens’ relationship with his housekeeper, Lydia Hamilton Smith, in a romantic light. While the two were undoubtedly close and shared a deep respect, the evidence for a romantic relationship remains circumstantial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lincoln
FAQ 1: Did Lincoln really bribe congressmen to pass the 13th Amendment?
Answer: The film heavily implies that Lincoln authorized bribery to secure votes for the 13th Amendment. While some historical accounts suggest that backroom deals and political favors were offered, there is no definitive proof that Lincoln directly authorized bribery. The film uses this plot point to create dramatic tension and highlight the moral compromises Lincoln may have made to achieve his goals. The historical record shows that while Lincoln did have private meetings to discuss the vote, the details of what was said were never released.
FAQ 2: How accurate is the film’s portrayal of the House of Representatives’ vote?
Answer: The film accurately captures the tension and drama surrounding the House vote on the 13th Amendment. However, the vote was actually held on January 31, 1865, and the film compresses the events leading up to it. The specific names and arguments presented in the film are largely fictionalized but are based on historical accounts of the debate. The final vote count shown in the film is a simplification of the actual voting process.
FAQ 3: Was Robert Todd Lincoln actually trying to join the Union Army at that time?
Answer: Yes, Robert Todd Lincoln did petition to join the Union Army. His desire to serve was a source of conflict with his parents, as portrayed in the film. Lincoln, protective of his eldest son, initially resisted, but eventually yielded, securing Robert a commission as a captain in the Union Army. This event is historically accurate and adds a layer of personal drama to the film.
FAQ 4: Did Lincoln truly meet with Confederate representatives to negotiate a peace treaty before the amendment passed?
Answer: The film depicts a meeting between Lincoln and Confederate representatives to discuss peace terms. This meeting did occur in February 1865 at Hampton Roads. However, the film simplifies the complexity of the negotiations and portrays the meeting as more directly tied to the passage of the 13th Amendment than was actually the case. The peace talks ultimately failed, due to the Confederacy’s refusal to accept the Union’s terms of unconditional surrender and the abolition of slavery.
FAQ 5: How accurate is the portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens’s personal life?
Answer: As mentioned earlier, the film implies a romantic relationship between Thaddeus Stevens and his housekeeper, Lydia Hamilton Smith. While their bond was undoubtedly strong, and Smith wielded considerable influence, the nature of their relationship remains a topic of historical debate. The film’s romantic portrayal is largely speculative.
FAQ 6: Did Lincoln really recite poetry to his cabinet members?
Answer: Yes, there are accounts of Lincoln reciting poetry, particularly from Robert Burns and Shakespeare, to his cabinet members and others. This aspect of his personality is accurately depicted in the film and reflects his intellectual curiosity and his use of stories and analogies to communicate complex ideas. It was part of his storytelling abilities and the film uses this detail to humanize him.
FAQ 7: What was Lincoln’s actual stance on racial equality?
Answer: Lincoln’s views on racial equality evolved throughout his life. While he initially supported colonization (sending freed slaves to Africa), he increasingly advocated for the rights of African Americans. The film accurately portrays this evolution. While the Emancipation Proclamation was largely a military measure, it was a major step toward recognizing the humanity of enslaved people. Lincoln’s support for the 13th Amendment demonstrated his commitment to ending slavery and laying the foundation for a more just society.
FAQ 8: How important was the 13th Amendment in the grand scheme of Reconstruction?
Answer: The 13th Amendment was absolutely crucial. While the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in Confederate territory, the 13th Amendment permanently abolished slavery throughout the entire United States. This paved the way for Reconstruction, although it did not guarantee full equality or citizenship for African Americans. The amendment also rendered the Dred Scott decision meaningless.
FAQ 9: Did Ulysses S. Grant actually want to win the war before the amendment passed?
Answer: The portrayal of Grant’s desire to end the war before the 13th amendment vote is largely used for narrative purposes in the movie, but it is not totally false. Grant was primarily concerned with winning the war as quickly as possible to end the suffering and loss of life. While he supported the abolition of slavery, his primary focus was on military victory. The film highlights a contrast between Lincoln’s legislative approach and Grant’s military one, but the portrayal of Grant wanting to end the war before the amendment vote is an oversimplification.
FAQ 10: How much of the dialogue in the movie is based on historical records?
Answer: While Daniel Day-Lewis studied Lincoln’s writings and speeches to capture his cadence and language, much of the dialogue in Lincoln is fictionalized. Tony Kushner, the screenwriter, used his artistic license to create compelling conversations that advance the plot and explore the characters’ motivations. However, he did draw inspiration from historical documents and accounts to ground the dialogue in historical context.
FAQ 11: Does the film accurately portray the political divisions within the Republican Party at the time?
Answer: Yes, the film does a reasonable job of depicting the divisions within the Republican Party regarding the 13th Amendment. Radical Republicans, like Thaddeus Stevens, advocated for full equality for African Americans, while more moderate Republicans were hesitant to go that far. Lincoln had to navigate these divisions to build a coalition in support of the amendment.
FAQ 12: What aspects of Lincoln’s personality are most accurately represented in the movie?
Answer: The film does a commendable job of capturing several key aspects of Lincoln’s personality. His melancholy, his wit, his political shrewdness, and his deep commitment to his ideals are all portrayed effectively. The film also showcases his compassion and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His use of humor and storytelling to diffuse tense situations is also accurately depicted.