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Call for Papers "A Humanitarian as Broad as the World: Abraham Lincoln's Legacy in International Context" International Conference German Historical Institute (GHI) Washington, DC (USA) 5-7 October 2007 __________________________________________________ Conveners: Gabor Boritt (Gettysburg College) Uwe Luebken (German Historical Institute) Jörg Nagler (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena) Abraham Lincoln is a world historical figure whose legacy continues to exert powerful influence to this day. Protesters against injustice all around the world have taken up his famous notion of government of the people, by the people, for the people in Hungary in 1956, Tehran in 1979, and Tiananmen Square in 1989. Leo Tolstoy, during the 1909 centennial celebration of Lincolns birth, described him as a humanitarian as broad as the world. To Gandhi, he was a true cosmopolitan who regarded the whole world as his native land. Several African countries put his image on postage stamps as soon as they had freed themselves from colonial rule and he was looked on as a model by Nelson Mandela. Jawaharlal Nehru kept a brass mold of Lincolns right hand near him while Mao respected and admired the Great Emancipator. Despite his tremendous historical stature, little research has been done on international perceptions of Lincoln. This conference will therefore concentrate on the reception of Lincoln as a politician, thinker, and moral example beyond the United States. Even in the midst of war, Lincoln recognized that the abolition of slavery, the preservation of the Union, and the survival of a democratic government in the United States would have worldwide repercussions. He also understood how severely the peculiar institution of slavery com-promised Americas international standing and undermined the nations constitutional principles. Questions that this conference will address include, but are not limited to the following topics: - How, why, and in what historical contexts have Lincolns notions of political equality inspired reformist and revolutionary leaders in widely different societies worldwide? - What significance should we attach to the fact that his international reputation began to grow sharply after 1945that is, just when former European colonies were asserting their independence? - Did Lincolns legacy influence or even hasten the decolonization process? - How have the image and iconography of Lincoln been used to advance human rights in Africa, South and Central America, and elsewhere? - What do these perceptions of Lincoln tell us about those producing these images and symbols? - Has this self-made man and martyred president been perceived as a representative of the American dream or as a universal prophet of freedom and brotherhood? Please send a proposal of no more than 300 words and a brief CV to Christa Brown at <[email protected]> (fax: 202-483-3430). The deadline for submission is May 1, 2007. Participants will be notified by mid-June at the latest. The conference will be held in English and focus on the discussion of precirculated papers of about 7,000 to 8,000 words (due by September 15, 2007). The GHI will cover the cost of travel and accommodations for participants. Please send inquiries to Uwe Luebken <[email protected]>. Contact: Christa Brown German Historical Institute 1607 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 USA Email: [email protected] Uwe Luebken German Historical Institute 1607 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 USA Phone: +1 202 387 3355 Fax: +1 202 483 3430 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.ghi-dc.org/conferences/lincoln/cfp_lincoln.htm __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
