The Healing of the Divided States; How Lincoln Unified a Nation On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln appeared before his fellow countrymen to be sworn in, taking presidential office for the second time. The capitol building stood before an ocean of American citizens from various demographics, ready to take in his words of wisdom. However, Lincoln had more to say than merely recognizing himself to again be the leader of the American people. He talked about an event that deeply distressed the state of the nation- the Civil War. President, Abraham Lincoln, in his Second Inaugural Address, conveys his belief that the Civil War split the nation. Lincoln's purpose was to unify the North and South, so that together they could mend the wounds of a deeply
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However, he was aware that the war is inevitable in the current state of affairs. He informed his readers by using repetition in the introduction of his speech, more specifically, an anaphora- "all dreaded it, all sought to avert it." This anaphora repeats the word "all", which shows how he believed in unity. His application of repetition in his speech emphasized the importance of American citizens, more specifically, soldiers, fighting in the war. Also, this gives the audience the impression that all American citizens picture the same goals for the nation, which will push many civilians to start ending the war. However, Lincoln amplified the difference between the North and the South by implementing an antithesis in the beginning. For instance he says, "both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came." In a subtle manner, Lincoln was able to expose his bias towards the North even though Lincoln says that together the North and the South caused the war equally. This contrasting of ideas, shows how Lincoln believes that war is inevitable, and the North and the South have different ideas of why the war has dawned upon the United States. Expressing his fellow North people, motivated the South to disprove Lincoln's
However, he was aware that the war is inevitable in the current state of affairs. He informed his readers by using repetition in the introduction of his speech, more specifically, an anaphora- "all dreaded it, all sought to avert it." This anaphora repeats the word "all", which shows how he believed in unity. His application of repetition in his speech emphasized the importance of American citizens, more specifically, soldiers, fighting in the war. Also, this gives the audience the impression that all American citizens picture the same goals for the nation, which will push many civilians to start ending the war. However, Lincoln amplified the difference between the North and the South by implementing an antithesis in the beginning. For instance he says, "both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came." In a subtle manner, Lincoln was able to expose his bias towards the North even though Lincoln says that together the North and the South caused the war equally. This contrasting of ideas, shows how Lincoln believes that war is inevitable, and the North and the South have different ideas of why the war has dawned upon the United States. Expressing his fellow North people, motivated the South to disprove Lincoln's