8th Grade U.S. History - Gettysburg Address

Unknown author. 19 November 1863. Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Photograph. Library of Congress. Available at: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/abe.jpg. United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division, digital ID ds.03106.

The Gettysburg Address: A Testament to Equality, Union, and Government

The Gettysburg Address is a historic speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. This speech served as a call to honor the fallen soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg and to remind the nation of the principles upon which the United States was founded: equality, the preservation of the union, and a government that is "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Equality: Freeing the Enslaved

During the Civil War, the United States was divided between the Union, which sought to abolish slavery, and the Confederacy, which fought to preserve the institution. In his address, Lincoln underscored the importance of equality by stating that "all men are created equal." He expressed his commitment to ensuring this equality by proclaiming that all enslaved people in the Confederate states shall be free. This declaration was a pivotal moment in the fight for emancipation and marked a turning point in the war.

The Union: Worth Fighting For

The Gettysburg Address also emphasized the significance of preserving the union. Lincoln emphasized that the United States was not merely a group of independent states but a single nation with a shared destiny. He spoke of the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought and died at Gettysburg and called upon the living to continue the fight for a united nation. The address served as a rallying cry to strengthen the resolve of the Union soldiers and citizens to prevail over the Confederate forces.

The Government: A Voice for the People

One of the most iconic lines from the Gettysburg Address is Lincoln's statement that the government should be "of the people, by the people, and for the people." This statement encapsulates the idea that the power and authority of the government should come from and serve the citizens it represents. Lincoln believed that the Civil War was a test of whether a government based on these principles could endure or if a nation "conceived in Liberty" could long endure.

In conclusion, the Gettysburg Address remains a powerful reminder of the values upon which the United States was founded. Lincoln's words echoed the importance of equality, the need to preserve the union, and the significance of a government that serves its people. The address continues to resonate with its timeless message of unity and hope, inspiring generations to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy.