Abraham Lincoln: The Impossible Challenge
Abraham Lincoln was placed in charge when America’s peace was on very thin ice. Following a poor job of keeping this balance by previous president James Buchanan, Lincoln was placed in a very difficult position. With tensions heating from incidents like the Dred Scott Case and the release of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Lincoln was elected president right as these controversial scenarios began to erupt. Although civil war was inevitable, Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, his Gettysburg address, and his Second Inaugural Speech were masterfully crafted and delivered at pivotal moments in the war and postwar to do the seemingly impossible job of reuniting America and bring the defeated South out …show more content…
Although not a very long speech compared to some inaugural speeches, Lincoln’s brief speech got the point of not ostracizing the South and creating even more awkwardness. He also re emphasized his point of referring to the founding fathers’ idea of all men being created equal: “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God,” he made it very clear that these black men, women, and children whom were enslaved were normal people just like their masters; the only difference being skin color. However, the most impactful part of the speech was not to brag about winning the war or blame the South and force the to pay for all the damage, but rather to invite the South to be their brothers and sisters again: “With malice towards none; with charity for all.” his goal was to make it clear that there was not any hatred between the North and South, but rather compassion and reconciliation. This beautiful address set the stage for his very generous reconstruction plan. Rather than forcing them to pay the monstrously high war-reparations and make them feel like they were being punished, Lincoln wanted to reconcile a great …show more content…
His legacy leaves more than just a story of how he essentially was the single-most important leader in the Civil War, but also a role model and an archetype of leadership, bravery, and poise for the ensuing generations and for centuries to come. He was quintessentially American; the utmost example of a good man and the perfect illustration of what qualities a president should strive to possess. Lincoln’s speeches were unparalleled in elegance and power, setting the highest precedent for men and women alike. Ultimately, Lincoln’s legacy and spirit live on as a perfect example to Americans the genuine care and love an American should have for his or her
Abraham Lincoln was placed in charge when America’s peace was on very thin ice. Following a poor job of keeping this balance by previous president James Buchanan, Lincoln was placed in a very difficult position. With tensions heating from incidents like the Dred Scott Case and the release of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Lincoln was elected president right as these controversial scenarios began to erupt. Although civil war was inevitable, Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, his Gettysburg address, and his Second Inaugural Speech were masterfully crafted and delivered at pivotal moments in the war and postwar to do the seemingly impossible job of reuniting America and bring the defeated South out …show more content…
Although not a very long speech compared to some inaugural speeches, Lincoln’s brief speech got the point of not ostracizing the South and creating even more awkwardness. He also re emphasized his point of referring to the founding fathers’ idea of all men being created equal: “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God,” he made it very clear that these black men, women, and children whom were enslaved were normal people just like their masters; the only difference being skin color. However, the most impactful part of the speech was not to brag about winning the war or blame the South and force the to pay for all the damage, but rather to invite the South to be their brothers and sisters again: “With malice towards none; with charity for all.” his goal was to make it clear that there was not any hatred between the North and South, but rather compassion and reconciliation. This beautiful address set the stage for his very generous reconstruction plan. Rather than forcing them to pay the monstrously high war-reparations and make them feel like they were being punished, Lincoln wanted to reconcile a great …show more content…
His legacy leaves more than just a story of how he essentially was the single-most important leader in the Civil War, but also a role model and an archetype of leadership, bravery, and poise for the ensuing generations and for centuries to come. He was quintessentially American; the utmost example of a good man and the perfect illustration of what qualities a president should strive to possess. Lincoln’s speeches were unparalleled in elegance and power, setting the highest precedent for men and women alike. Ultimately, Lincoln’s legacy and spirit live on as a perfect example to Americans the genuine care and love an American should have for his or her