Gettysburg Address

Besecker 1
Logan Besecker
Mr. Barnes
Writing 8
18 January 2019
How Lincoln Reflected the Battle of Gettysburg in the Gettysburg Address
Lincoln was a great man and a great president who had many well-done speeches and
announcements, but the one he is most known for was the Gettysburg Address. It was said that
Lincoln made the Gettysburg Address and made many changes to it as he was at Gettysburg.
Some of the ways Lincoln’s address went to reflect the results of the battle at Gettysburg were to
convince the northern public to stay confident, to state that the principles of human equality are
connected with the sacrifices of the Civil War with the desire for “a new birth of freedom,” and
to make his main effort to be a man known for study and deep reflection.
As Lincoln went on to reflect the battle at Gettysburg in his address, he attempted to
convince the northern public to stay alert and confident that we as a nation can get through the
battles. He went on stating that the country was not as it was before, and they needed to get back
to their previous state. As Tim Huebner states, "By making reference to the founding of the
country 87 years before, Lincoln placed the battle within the larger arc of American history, thus
connecting the work of Union soldiers at Gettysburg to the work of the Union’s founders at
Philadelphia.” (Tim Huebner). Lincoln’s speech also went on to state that the brave men did a
great deed and consecrated the ground. As it states by Tim Huebner, “The speech also
emphasized the sacrificial nature of the Union deaths, for Lincoln noted that the “brave men”
who struggled there had already “consecrated” the ground, “far above our poor power to add or
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detract.” Lincoln also attempted to lead the northern people to victory and to resolve their
problems with the south and to get the country as it was before in the beginning.
Lincoln also stated that human equality related to the sacrifices of the Civil War and the
desire for freedom of slaves and all people from war. Lincoln also stated in his speech that the
many deaths at Gettysburg were of many brave and noble men. A text example is, “The dead at
Gettysburg laid down their lives for this noble cause, he said, and it was up to the living to
confront the “great task” before them” (History). Lincoln address was also significant as it
showed the struggle of both sides, the north and the south. As History states, “Lincoln’s historic
address redefined the Civil War as a struggle not just for the Union, but also for the principle of
human equality." The address also showed how Lincoln carefully stated and prepared for the
address as it shows significance and boldness. Another statement from History is, “Lincoln saw
an opportunity to make a broad statement to the American people on the enormous significance
of the war, and he prepared carefully."
Lincoln also stated that his goal was to be recognized and to be known as a good
president and an even better man. He wanted to show the nation that he should be known for
deep reflection. Lincoln also stated the Declaration of Independence to make his argument about
equality and the freedom of slaves. A text example is, “In its original form, established the
legality of slavery. By invoking the earlier document, the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln
was able to make his argument about equality, and the purpose of the war being a "new birth of
freedom." (Robert McNamara) Lincoln also showed that all men and women were created equal
and that as it should be the center of our government. Robert McNamara also stated that
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Lincoln’s words began to assume iconic status and that it was significant and important that
Lincoln was invoking Jefferson’s phrase that “all men are created equal.”
In conclusion Lincoln reflected the battle at Gettysburg well by attempting to convince
the northern public to stay confident that we would come back together as a nation and
government. He also stated in the Gettysburg Address the principles of human equality contained
in the Declaration of Independence and related the sacrifices of the Civil War with the desire for
a new “birth of freedom” and to state that his main effort was that his main goal in his life was to
be a man known for study and deep reflection. As the Civil War and the battle at Gettysburg was
a tough and memorable time with many sacrifices deserved to be recognized as Lincoln did just
that with his address. So, in conclusion Lincoln addressed the battle at Gettysburg well and it
will go down as a memorable speech in our nation.

Works Cited
Address, Gettysburg. “The Gettysburg Address.” History, www.history.com/topics/american-

civil-war/gettysburg-address.
Huebner, Tim. “How Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Changed the Nation.” Market Watch, 19
Nov. 2013, 11:47 a.m. ET, www.marketwatch.com/story/how-lincoln-changed-the-
nation-in-272-words-2013-11-19.
McNamara, Robert. “Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address.” ThoughtCo., 2018,
www.thoughtco.com/abraham-lincoln-and-the-gettysburg-address-1773573.

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How did Lincoln reflect the Battle of Gettysburg in his address?

What were some of Lincoln's goals in giving the Gettysburg Address?

Besecker 1

As Lincoln went on to reflect the battle at Gettysburg in his address, he attempted to

of the war, and he prepared carefully."

In conclusion Lincoln reflected the battle at Gettysburg well by attempting to convince

will go down as a memorable speech in our nation.

Address, Gettysburg. “The Gettysburg Address.” History, www.history.com/topics/american-

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