The Gettysburg Address
Author-Abraham Lincoln, 1863
Purpose- President Lincoln arrived at Gettysburg shortly after the bloodshed there, to give a eulogy speech for all those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to their cause.
Prior Knowledge- Gettysburg was one of the climactic battles of the war, in which thousands died, but eventually the Union emerged victorious, causing Robert E. Lee and his armies to retreat. It was the start of a string of confederate defeats that would eventually lead to Lee's surrender at the Appomattox court house.
Audience- All citizens of the Union, but especially the surviving Union soldiers.
Reason- To comfort the survivors of the battle and citizens of the Union that the loss of life at Gettysburg would not be in vain, and that the Union would soon be whole again.
The Main Idea- Lincoln believed, as did so many others, that the preservation of the democratic Union was truly worth the blood shed. The speech at Gettysburg recited this point powerfully and with enough fervor to inspire the nation.
Significance- The Gettysburg Address reminded a war torn and weary nation what they had begun fighting for in the first place. It provided the soldiers and citizens with enough determination to push on through the rest of the war and eventually come out on top.
Purpose- President Lincoln arrived at Gettysburg shortly after the bloodshed there, to give a eulogy speech for all those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to their cause.
Prior Knowledge- Gettysburg was one of the climactic battles of the war, in which thousands died, but eventually the Union emerged victorious, causing Robert E. Lee and his armies to retreat. It was the start of a string of confederate defeats that would eventually lead to Lee's surrender at the Appomattox court house.
Audience- All citizens of the Union, but especially the surviving Union soldiers.
Reason- To comfort the survivors of the battle and citizens of the Union that the loss of life at Gettysburg would not be in vain, and that the Union would soon be whole again.
The Main Idea- Lincoln believed, as did so many others, that the preservation of the democratic Union was truly worth the blood shed. The speech at Gettysburg recited this point powerfully and with enough fervor to inspire the nation.
Significance- The Gettysburg Address reminded a war torn and weary nation what they had begun fighting for in the first place. It provided the soldiers and citizens with enough determination to push on through the rest of the war and eventually come out on top.