Abraham Lincoln’s views on democracy were deeply influenced by his family's legacy, particularly the values of hard work and education. Growing up in a modest household, he valued the principles of self-governance and equality. The universal suffrage ideals that were instilled in him through his upbringing shaped his commitment to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery. Lincoln’s belief in a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” remains a cornerstone of his legacy.