1. Gettysburg Address Secondary Source Analysis
Examine the debate regarding Lincoln’s reading of the Declaration of Independence into the Constitution by examining two very different sources: a Chicago Times editorial written shortly after Lincoln delivered his speech, and a historical study of Lincoln’s speech written some one hundred and thirty years after.
After having read both excerpts, discuss the charges leveled against Lincoln in the Chicago Times editorial and compare those remarks to the pro-Lincoln thesis advanced by Garry Wills in the second excerpt. Examine and weigh the evidence each source produces as well as look closely at the text of Lincoln’s speech for additional evidence in support of one or the other.