Meaning Behind The Gettysburg Address Essay - 572 Words

While the Gettysburg Address is short in length at around 300 words, this famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is still both enduring and meaningful for all Americans today, almost exactly 146 years later. The first paragraph of his speech sets the tone, in which Lincoln does not directly mention the bloody Battle of Gettysburg, in which 50,000 soldiers lost their lives. Instead, he refers in the opening phrase, â€Å"Four score and seven years ago,† to the founding of America through another important written document, the Declaration of Independence in 1776. I believe Lincoln wanted all Americans to focus on preserving this country, and in his speech, he reminded all American†¦show more content†¦I believe he is again focusing on the principle of preserving the country and uniting all Americans, North and South, behind the nation and reminding them of our common history. President Lincoln also refers to the dedication of the Battlefield of Gettysburg, emphasizing that this is, â€Å"a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.† Lincoln wanted to remind all citizens that the thousands of lives taken e at the Battle of Gettysburg were for a great purpose: preserving this country, not dividing it through a Civil War. However, I do not believe in killing for any purpose. In the third paragraph, President Lincoln stresses the important point that the words of his speech cannot actually bless or make holy the Battlefield of Gettysburg. Rather, he indicates the bravery of the men, both living and dead, has already made the ground of the battlefield sacred. Again, Lincoln is honoring the actions of all the soldiers, Union and Confederate, and trying to unite the nation instead of dividing it. In the last paragraph of the speech, President Lincoln is telling the American people that the proper way to honor the brave soldiers is to dedicate and devote your life to the country, and offering everyone the hope that America will be a better country in which there will be, â€Å"a new birth of freedom.† Lincoln points out this government will represent all the people, and will remain forever. PresidentShow MoreRelatedStructure Of The Gettysburg Address899 Words   |  4 Pagesat odds and much blood was shed. The Battle of Gettysburg was particularly gruesome, but none the less a major win for the Union. Immediately after the battle, Lincoln was invited to speak on behalf of all fallen soldiers and on the victory that the Union so desperately needed. The Gettysburg Address motivated the American people to persevere and continue fighting the Confederacy in order to free the slaves and make the country whole again. An address such as this one gave the broken down people o fRead MoreEssay on The Meaning of the Gettysburg Address564 Words   |  3 PagesEssay on the Meaning of the Gettysburg Address While the Gettysburg Address is fairly short in length at around 300 words, this famous speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1963 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is both enduring and meaningful for all Americans today, almost exactly 146 years later. The first paragraph of his speech sets the tone, in which Lincoln does not directly mention the bloody Battle of Gettysburg, in which 50,000 soldiers lost their lives. Instead, heRead MoreAbraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address1685 Words   |  7 PagesAbraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address History remembers Abraham Lincoln as one of the greatest leaders. He has made many significant contributions to the history of the United States and is considered one of the greatest presidents. 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