The Gettysburg Address 1

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The Gettysburg Address

Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in November 19, 1863, during the

dedication of Soldier’s National Cemetery. In this speech, he emphasized on equality, freedom

and national unity, which were the sole purpose of a soldier’s sacrifice. The President gave the

address in honor of all the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives at the Battle of Gettysburg and

to show that their sacrifice was for the country’s cause (Gettysburg Address, pg. 4).

The Battle of Gettysburg happened in Gettysburg in July !863, this was during the tail

end of the American Civil War, the Union soldiers fought the Confederate Army that was led by

Robert E. Lee. The Confederate Army suffered heavy casualties during this battle and it is

considered to have turned the tide of the Civil War in favor of the Union Army and Abraham

Lincoln. This battle is considered important as it is seen to have won the war for the Union

forces (Military Turning Points Gettysburg, pg. 23).

In the Gettysburg Address, the President was trying to unify the country by appealing to

the citizens and reminding them that the lives lost in the battle should not go to waste. He wanted
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to emphasize on the significance of the war to America and that it was a test to the Union and

whether it would survive the Civil War. He emphasized that the soldiers who had died at

Gettysburg, had sacrificed their lives for the Union and it was now the task for the living to

ensure America endured.

The speech invokes the principles of human equality; it enumerates the sacrifices made

by soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg, who gave up their lives for the equality and freedom of

their fellow humans. He reminds the people that the nation was founded on the basis of liberty

and equality. The speech addresses the idea that the war has enabled the country to birth into a

new political tradition that will embrace new freedoms and equality (College guide to

Gettysburg, pg 24).

The speech further tells the audience that those principles are under threat and just as the

soldiers sacrificed their lives for these ideals so should they who are living continue fighting to

maintain those principles. . Additionally, the speech emphasizes on the idea of democracy and

the preservation of the ideals of self-government. In the speech, Abraham Lincoln states that the

government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish.

The address connected the sacrifices in the Civil War with the coming a new of the

American Union, the President describes it as “a new birth of freedom”. In the speech, the

President shows a determination and optimism that the war should not only be solemn but should

also be seen as a beacon of hope and a brighter, eloquent and hopeful look at the future of

America. Lincoln sees that the Civil War will have a great impact on the nation for years to

come. He envisions in the speech a country with the best form of Liberal Democracy. Lincoln
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uses the ultimate sacrifices of the soldiers to connect the war to the higher vision of the country

and further uses the American identity to honor the fallen heroes.

At the end of the address, Lincoln shows a change in the understanding of freedom, a

new birth of freedom signifies a freedom that is positive, one that embraces equality of the

human race. The address alludes to an increased involvement of the citizenry in the Federal

government when Lincoln talks about a government for the people.

The address is still relevant to today’s America, as the government has to strive to protect

the inalienable rights of the American people. The people should be involved and be seen to be

involved in the government, in the formulation of policies that govern them, according to the

address, the government of the people by the people. Liberty and equality which are the bedrock

of the nation should continue to be fostered and maintained to enable the Liberal Democracy that

Lincoln had envisioned works.

Works Cited
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Barry Schwartz. (1996). Rereading the Gettysburg Address: Social Change and

Collective Memory. New York: Cornell University Press.

Conant, Sean (2015). The Gettysburg Address: Perspectives on Lincoln's Greatest

Speech. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

White Jr., Ronald C. The Words That Moved a Nation in: "Abraham Lincoln: A Legacy

of Freedom", Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State – Bureau of International Information

Programs.