Lincolns 2nd Inaugural Address Essay - 1460 Words

Abraham Lincolns Second Inaugural Address As I read the lines carefully of Lincolns Second Inaugural Address, I wonder how a man who is elected for his second term as president with over 54% of the popular vote, and in turn, compose such an eloquent address can be assassinated little more than a month later. In reading other commentaries concerning this address it seems to me that everyone concurs that this address is one of the finest speeches ever written by a president. Lincoln wrote other memorable speeches such as his first inaugural address, and the Gettysburg Address, which are of equally high caliber, however, his second inaugural address is considered a favorite by most critics. Even the surrounding circumstances at the time†¦show more content†¦Lincoln balanced that rejection of triumphalism, however, with recognition of the unmistakable evil of slavery, which he described in the most concrete terms possible. Unbeknownst to him, in the crowd, at his second inaugural address John Wilkes Booth, George Atzero dt, and many other conspirators involved with Lincolns assassination. It is inscribed, along with the Gettysburg Address, in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Besides Lincolns revered speeches, there are other things he is remembered for during his two terms as president. He is best remembered for his very important role as the leader in preserving the Union during the Civil War and beginning the process that led to the end of slavery in the United States. He is also remembered for his Godly character, his many speeches and letters, and as a man of humble beginnings whose determination and perseverance led him to become the nations 16th president. The time of the speech was towards the end of the civil war, when the North and the South where still fighting after a bitter 4 year war. The battle of Gettysburg had already been fought and Lincoln had given the distinguished Gettysburg address just a few months before. He spoke of freedom, devotion, and the ideals for which he believed the Union stood. Lincoln had also already written the emancipation proclamation which had freed the slaves of the south in the previous year. The audience whichShow MoreRelatedHistory Is The Study Of Past Events Essay1459 Words   |  6 Pagesdeliver on that. In short Lincoln s 2nd Inaugural Address touches on many aspects. Lincoln states what ultimately was the cause of the Civil War which was slavery. He then goes on to mention what the punishment is and then finishes off his Inaugural Address with a call for reconciliation. Upon reading Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like if President Barack Obama would have read Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address, in todays society. In light of the presidentialRead MoreEvolution Of Lincoln s Policy On Slavery Essay1573 Words   |  7 PagesEvolution of Lincoln’s policy on slavery in the United States. Abraham Lincoln was the great man of his generation just as well as he is considered a great man in history today. He made a huge difference that impacts us greatly today still. He is one of the main reasons to why we do not have slavery around anymore, along with some help of other people back then that supported him. Even though, racism still exist today it is not as horrifying and sickening as to how it was before back in the 1800sRead MoreLincoln s Representation Of Lincoln1640 Words   |  7 Pagesclout on how Lincoln’s images has been established in American popular culture. Movies such as Birth of a Nation, Young Mr. Lincoln, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and Lincoln have given audiences different glimpses of the sixteenth president. The legend of Lincoln has been created and altered in film in oder to create a hero to fit the times. This paper will focus on â€Å"Lincoln† films over a 100 year time plan from Birth of a Nation to Lincoln. This research will also show how and why Lincoln’s representationRead MoreCivil War Debate On American Rhetoric2775 Words   |  12 Pagesrights of Southerners in the south. The Inaugural Address of U.S. Presidents is one of the very few political maneuvers that have the potential to define the legacy of an administration. Hence, Lincoln’s Inaugural Address is interesting because he used the speech as a platform to help mollify Southern fears. His language was methodical and above all non-antagonistic; he identified a Southern concern and presented reasons why that fear was unfounded. 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Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was aimed at reuniting southern states with the union and to strengthen the Republican Party in the South; which were his main supporters. One of the main purposes of Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction was that all slaves be freed. In Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, he stated that all slaves would be declared free in those states still in rebellion againstRead MoreEssay The Civil War494 Words   |  2 PagesAmerican Revolution had been fought to validate the idea that all men were created equal, but slavery was legal in all of the thirteen colonies. Eventually its existence came to color every aspect of American life. A new president, Abraham Lincolns inaugural address was at once firm. He decided it would be best to wait to broach the subject of slavery and compel the southern states to come back into the Union. The War began. The North seemed to have a greater advantage, they were backed up by theRead MoreThomas Jefferson : The Art Of Power1331 Words   |  6 Pagesthe people.† The reason Jefferson, among many others, wanted independence is because the monarcy was becoming too oppressive. For instance, the Tea Act, set a tax on tea. Within it, he including words, such as: equality among all men. Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation can be traced back to these words. In â€Å"Jeffersonian Democracy and the Origins of Political Antislavery in the United States: The Missouri Crisis Revisited,† Sean Wilentz writes, â€Å"They believed that the institution was anRead MoreAbraham Lincoln Delivered A Speech Essay1763 Words   |  8 Pagesspeech that was called the 2nd inaugural address on March 4, 1865, during his 2nd inauguration as President of the United States. Lincoln called the problem an issue that challenged the country about 4 years prior, acknowledged s lavery was the real cause of the war and the suffering caused by the war. He acknowledges hope for the end of the conflict and urges Americans to strive for peace.In November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was invited to deliver the Gettysburg Address, at the National CemeteryRead MoreCOMM292 Case Studies23202 Words   |  93 Pagescases so can I trust that what you share is right?† Cooper frowned at Prasad and asked â€Å"What does any of that have to do with my concern about reviewing concepts as a team?† â€Å"We’re going to have to talk about splitting cases eventually so why not address it now?† Prasad argued. With this the team meeting quickly deteriorated into multiple side conversations as Prasad and Onyealisi continued to argue about splitting the case work. Delery and Cooper started raising their voices as they volleyed back