Abraham Lincoln

1. Abraham Lincoln The Gettysburg Address Cecilia H. C. Liu American Literature I 10/1/2004

2. Outline • Introduction to Abraham Lincoln • The Importance of the Battle • Ideas in the Speech • References

3. Abraham Lincoln • Born on February 12th, 1809 • Became a legislator in 1834. • Got married in 1842. • 1858, had a famous debate with Stephen A. Douglas.

4. Abraham Lincoln • Became the president of US in 1860. • Pulled down slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. • Assassinated on 15th of April, 1865.

5. The Address Delivered at Gettysburg • For the opening of Dedication of the Cemetery, at Gettysburg • Date: November 19, 1863

6. The Importance of the Battle of Gettysburg • The Battle of Gettysburg, a critical turning point in the American Civil War, was a conflict that determined the fate of the U.S. • More Information

7. The Importance of the Battle of Gettysburg • The speech is short, but persuasive. 1. Made a formal political connection between the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. 2. At Gettysburg the Declaration became the foremost source of American moral principles, giving priority to the equality of mankind. • Therefore, Lincoln has thus given Americans a mission.

8. The Importance of the Battle of Gettysburg • Give the mission for all Americans "Now we are engaged in a great Civil War testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure." “ We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”

9. Ideas of Democracy in This Speech • “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: [ . . . ] all men are created equal.” • “[ . . . ] we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . . and that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . . shall not perish from the earth.”

10. Lincoln’s Character • The inaugural speech he gave was filled with eloquence and persuasiveness. • Modest • “But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate. . .we cannot consecrate [ . . . ] , far above our poor power to add or detract.” • Gratitude • “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here [ . . . ] to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. .”

11. Background of the Speech • In 1864, Lincoln was elected as the American president again. At that time, America still suffered from the Civil War and the society was unstable. No one could predict the result of Civil War. • However, Lincoln’s victory of the election became the inspiration for the Northerners in America. They decided to strongly fight for winning the war.

12. Background of the Speech • On March 4th, 1865, when Lincoln addressed the second inaugural, the situation showed that the North was to win the war and that the Civil War was going to end. • But, unfortunately, he hadn’t had chance to put his ideas into practice. He was assassinated shortly on of April, 1865.

13. Clearly Separated 2 Different Positions • Strong and clear contrast, and persuasive • “While the inaugural [sic] address [ . . . ] devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war.” • Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, which was why the war was declared.

14. The Connection was Made Between the 2 Parties Through God • “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; [ . . . ] but let us judge not that we be not judged.” • "Woe unto the world because of offences! [ . . . ] He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him?”

15. The Connection was Made Between the 2 Parties Through God • Yet, if God wills that it continue, [ . . . ] "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether" • Declare God’s will that the punishment should be ended. • If North and South still fight against each other, the common wealth of Nation will be gone altogether. • Slavery has already paid enough ; and Americans had also gained enough of it as well • However, the passage also suggests metaphorically that Americans can decide for their future.

16. Major Topics in the Second Inaugural Address • Discusses the major objectives for Americans after the Civil War • “to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” • Hope to avoid judging the offense and punishment • “….but let us judge not that we be not judged.” • “With malice toward none; [ . . . ] let us strive on to finish the work we are in…”

17. References • History Overview. <http://www.u-s-history.com/index.html>. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_the_United_States>. • Civil War. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/tl1861.htm>. <http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/post-civilwar>.