Presentation Transcript

1. Abraham Lincoln and his ideas about Liberty, Equality, Union,and Government

2. Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Address Equality – Promised to not interfere with the rights of states and the institution of slavery The Union – argued that the Union could not be dissolved The Government – stated it was against the law to secede from the Union Liberty– "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."
3. Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address Equality – Denounces slavery The Union – Restoration and peace for the nation The Government – Lincoln stated that there were people trying to destroy the government with or without war Liberty– War will continue until slavery ceases to exist
4. Gettysburg Address The Union – restore peace and keep the nation united The Government – “The government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth” Liberty – Principles of liberty and equality based on the Declaration of Independence
5. Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address Jefferson Davis became the President of the Confederate States of America in February 1861. His inaugural address states that the secession of the Southern states was similar to the colonists revolution against the British. He justifies the South’s “need” to secede, and discussed a tentative plan for the seceding state’s future. He claimed that secession was “ a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation, and henceforth our energies must be directed to the conduct of our own affairs, and the perpetuity of the Confederacy which we have formed.”
6. Jefferson Davis on Liberty Liberty – explains liberty and equality through the lens of freedom from the North’s oppression of the South “…They (the Confederate States) formed a new alliance, but within each State its government has remained; so that the rights of person and property have not been disturbed.” “Through many years of controversy with our late associates of the Northern States, we have vainly endeavored to secure tranquility and obtain respect for the rights to which we were entitled.” “It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look around upon a people united in heart, where one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates the whole; where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the balance against honor and right and liberty and equality.”
7. Jefferson Davis on the Union The Union – Davis explains that breaking from the Union was “a necessity, not a choice” and that “ …a reunion with the States from which we have separated is neither practicable nor desirable”; Davis explains that breaking from the Union was necessary for the Confederate States if they were to continue to engage in commerce with the rest of the world.
8. Jefferson Davis on Equality Equality – “It is joyous in perilous times to look around upon a people united in heart, who are animated and actuated by one and the same purpose and high resolve, with whom the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the balance against honor, right, liberty and equality.”
9. Jefferson Davis on the Government The Government – The Confederacy had a goal of establishing a government system similar to the United States’ Constitution “American idea that governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established.” “As a consequence of our new condition and relations, and with a vicar to meet anticipated wants, it will be necessary to provide for the speedy and efficient organization of branches of the Executive department having special charge of foreign intercourse, finance, military affairs, and the postal service.”