Lincoln Second Inaugural Address Analysis

Abraham Lincoln kept the country together at any cost even when it seemed to be irreparably splitting apart. As Lincoln was being sworn in, the South seceded, and Lincoln gave his inaugural speech to inform them of his views and dreams of a still united country. His Gettysburg Address came in a desperate time for the nation, as the civil war was in full swing, and it seemed that neither side would give up. Finally, his second inaugural speech came as the North was winning, and Lincoln saw an end to this great war. Lincoln was willing to go to great emotional depths in his speeches to preserve the Union, such as calls to nostalgia, mercy, and innate human goodness.
Calls to nostalgia were an important part of Lincoln's speeches, as he needed to remind americans of their shared roots and heritage. He reminds the South of the country great tradition in his first inaugural address when he says “the mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart.” By saying this, he tells the South of the times they fought together against tyranny and won the right to be independent with freedom for all. He later tells …show more content…
One such call to mercy by Lincoln was in his second inaugural address, when he said “with malice to none, with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.” Lincoln told the North to show kindness and mercy to the South, who will need it after such a hard war. In his first inaugural address, before the war starts, he reminds the South that war isn’t needed, and says “In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence” He also says “ care for those who shall have borne the battle” He is implying that soldiers on both sides of the war need the nation's help and support, because they gave everything for the