Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln

Gettysburg Address Historical Context Main Points About the Author Major issues of the times Intended Audience Main Points Historical Significance Impact and it’s importance on society at the time Impact and it’s importance on society of later generations

Abraham Lincoln Leader of the Republican Party in 1860 Becomes the 16th President of the United States receiving 40% of the popular vote Southerners called him the “Black Republican”

2 Major Issues and Presidents View issue over the expansion of slavery The majority in the North were opposed to Slavery The majority in the South were in favor of Slavery President Lincoln was not advocating the abolishment of slavery rather he felt slavery should not expand and it would die a natural death issue of secession – did a state have a right to secede from the United States? The North says no The South felt if they could ratify the Constitution they could UN-ratify it President Lincoln said it was unconstitutional

Disagreement over issues led to Civil War Began in Summer of 1861 Americans killing Americans Highest U.S. casualties of any war The Battle of Gettysburg was a crucial battle in the Civil War. It is viewed as a turning point in the war. Just prior to this battle the Confederacy had been making significant advances while the Union was on the losing end.

Gettysburg Address About a 2 minute speech given by President Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldier’s National Cemetery. Given 4 months after the costliest battle of the Civil War. Total casualties of the War to this time 472,154 This battle alone had 54,707 casualties

United States Citizens Intended Audience People of Gettysburg Union Soldiers United States Citizens

Main Points It is time we talk about the promise of equality. “…a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” We honor the soldiers sacrifice. “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us” The Union is worth fighting for. It is not a confederation but a federal government. “—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 parish from the earth.”

Historical Significance Impact on the society at the time Renewed devotion to the Union war efforts Verbal reassurance that the government was “of the people” not “of the state” Gave people on both sides pride and purpose

Historical Significance Impact on society today The idea that “all men are created equal” is still an American democratic ideal Settled the issue of secession