As the importance of Lincoln and his legacy never fades, it is important to continuously focus on the meaning and decisions behind one of his most famous documents: The Gettysburg Address. This address to the nation was proclaimed in late 1863, during a time where America had suffered from the lasting duress of the Civil War that plagued the nation. At this point, the Civil War had endured three years – three years of a war that wore down both sides of the nation, and Lincoln’s Union side severely needed confirmation of a turning point or a sighting of the end of the war. This was provided, albeit solemnly, after the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg with a Confederate retreat and a semi-decisive Union victory after the disaster of the Confederate
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He states that “we cannot consecrate…this ground”, for “the brave men…have consecrated it…’ This use of word choice and phrasing, where Lincoln elevates the abilities of the dead above the abilities of the living effectively glorifies the soldiers that had died. This would plainly show Lincoln’s respect for the men, and in doing so, equates himself to the public – lesser than the men that fought and died. He further glorifies the soldier by describing them as “nobly advanced”, “honored dead”, and “brave”. By venerating the men and showing increased interest in their legacy after death, he allows the audience to truly appreciate their struggle and the respect they deserve. As his main focus of participating in a Gettysburg event was to memorialize the deaths of the thousands of Union soldiers, Lincoln makes it quite clear that they “shall not have died in vain”, and interestingly states that “this nation…shall have a new birth of freedom…” This all in all intends to wrap up Lincoln’s focus on the commemoration of the soldiers and cemetery grounds, as well as mentioning the “new birth of freedom” that is a covert reference to the reassessed goal of the Civil War – for the emancipation of slaves to uphold equality and unity. The last …show more content…
After the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln essentially was able to emancipate American slaves and begin the chain of events that would allow for equality for people of all races. In modern times, this document has significance due to the fact that without it, America would still be stuck in the human rights issues of lesser developed countries. Where countries are limiting the freedoms of people based on their skin color and gender, America has allowed all citizens the same freedoms. Where Lincoln suggested that voting rights should be given to slaves, came the 13th and 14th amendments that are still in effect today. Although Lincoln likely could not have foretold the future of America’s equality and justness, he so decisively set the standard for the acknowledgement of humans and their rights as American citizens – merging the concepts of unity and equality into one. So truly, Lincoln’s words have adapted over the years to explain and redefine the most basic of American virtues: “all men are created
He states that “we cannot consecrate…this ground”, for “the brave men…have consecrated it…’ This use of word choice and phrasing, where Lincoln elevates the abilities of the dead above the abilities of the living effectively glorifies the soldiers that had died. This would plainly show Lincoln’s respect for the men, and in doing so, equates himself to the public – lesser than the men that fought and died. He further glorifies the soldier by describing them as “nobly advanced”, “honored dead”, and “brave”. By venerating the men and showing increased interest in their legacy after death, he allows the audience to truly appreciate their struggle and the respect they deserve. As his main focus of participating in a Gettysburg event was to memorialize the deaths of the thousands of Union soldiers, Lincoln makes it quite clear that they “shall not have died in vain”, and interestingly states that “this nation…shall have a new birth of freedom…” This all in all intends to wrap up Lincoln’s focus on the commemoration of the soldiers and cemetery grounds, as well as mentioning the “new birth of freedom” that is a covert reference to the reassessed goal of the Civil War – for the emancipation of slaves to uphold equality and unity. The last …show more content…
After the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln essentially was able to emancipate American slaves and begin the chain of events that would allow for equality for people of all races. In modern times, this document has significance due to the fact that without it, America would still be stuck in the human rights issues of lesser developed countries. Where countries are limiting the freedoms of people based on their skin color and gender, America has allowed all citizens the same freedoms. Where Lincoln suggested that voting rights should be given to slaves, came the 13th and 14th amendments that are still in effect today. Although Lincoln likely could not have foretold the future of America’s equality and justness, he so decisively set the standard for the acknowledgement of humans and their rights as American citizens – merging the concepts of unity and equality into one. So truly, Lincoln’s words have adapted over the years to explain and redefine the most basic of American virtues: “all men are created