Analysis of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address Essay

The Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address are different, as Douglass uses irony, a strong appeal to pathos, and a generalization of his experience, while Lincoln uses religious allusions to unify, non accusatory diction, as to not assign blame for the war, and a generally optimistic tone to unify the country and look towards the future. They are similar as they both appeal to ethos to establish their own credibility, and pathos appeal to certain emotions.

In document A , Lincoln's speech to Congress, he states, " I recommend the adoption of a joint resolution by your honorable bodies...", Lincoln one of the union and the South to become one, but by abolishing slavery, it created many states to be angry, so it wasn't really bringing people together at all. " resolved, that the United States are to cooperate with any state which may adopt gradual abolishment of slavery..." Lincoln realize that it would cause tension between states, that he needed them to cooperate. " the federal government would find its highest interest in such a measure as one of the most efficient means of self-preservation." Lincoln gave evidence from the federal government stating that this is the easiest, and best way to preserve the Union.

Although Abraham Lincoln wanted to free African American slaves and thought slavery was wrong he did not believe they should have the same social and political rights. The mid 1800s was a time that separated the black and white race immensely. The northern states and the southern states of the United States was divided on the issues of slavery among other reasons which led to the civil war. The civil war was the beginning of struggling African American slaves journey to freedom with the help of Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery in the northern states never reached the severity in most plantations that it did in the South, and it was common knowledge that being a slave in the South was, in a way, more harsh than the North, leading to a much larger number of slaves being held captive in southern states. Many people in the southern states used biblical passages to justify slavery and said that if slavery was abolished there would be unquestionable chaos and unemployment. Despite all of the people that did not think that slavery was wrong, one man stood and took the blunt of the judgement by the people named Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln viewed slavery as wrong, but knew that the nation’s founding fathers struggled with how to address the issue of slavery. There were several ideas on how abolish slavery during the 1800s, including colonization and the Emancipation Proclamation, but these ideas were not introduced into law because the general public

Abraham Lincoln had no clear intentions of emancipating the slaves unless he felt that it was truly necessary for him to do so. For example, look at the expulsion of Union General John Fremont who was in charge of the federal government’s military efforts in Missouri. The Union General created an act on August 30th, 1861 to deter the Confederates from their guerilla warfare. This act granted him Marshall Law throughout the state and gave him the ability to confiscate property and declare slaves “freemen”. This angered the Commander In-Chief. As a result, Lincoln removed the General’s act and stripped him of his command on November 2nd, 1861.

Weeks of wet weather had occurred before Saturday March 4th, 1865, making Pennsylvania Avenue a thick, muddy place; however, the pounding rain did not stop the spectators from listening to Lincoln give his Second Inaugural Address, given one month before the end of the Civil War. The Civil War was the result of a long standing controversy over slavery. The North and the South did not agree with each other. Slavery in the North had died out to the point where almost all blacks were free. The South on the other hand very few blacks were free. Causing a long lastly disagreement between both sides. When Lincoln gave his speech spectators were expecting a speech on slavery when Lincoln gave a dark gloomy speech that no one saw coming. The Civil War had lasted through his passed presidency and ended five days before his death. United States President Abraham Lincoln surprised his massive audience with a very short speech in which he talked about the effects of the Civil War, and expressed his feelings toward the future of the United States. Lincoln wanted to restore faith in the nation, talking about how the war would end soon, and that the nation was going to reunite. In this short speech Lincoln asserts that the audience knows and is knowledgeable about the war, which shows that the Americans know the war was just by using juxtaposition. Lincoln addresses his opinion towards the war, and makes it clear by utilizing biblical allusion, creating a basis of mutual agreement between the North and the South.

On Saturday March 4th, 1865 president Abraham Lincoln, one month before the end of the Civil War, contemplates the effects of the Civil War and his vision for the future of the nation, through a series of rhetorical analysis rooting in logic. This being President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Speech, the audience was expecting a lengthy speech on slavery, politics, and state rights. In return, they got a speech rooted in logic. War was “dreaded by all” and both parties “deprecated war.” The south wanted to “make war” instead of letting the “nation survive,” as the North wanted to “accept war” rather than “perish” it.

Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860. As a president of the United States, Lincoln’s goal was to keep the Union together. The problem of slavery and the secession by the South are mainly the two issues that lead to the dissolve of the Union, in which Lincoln put all his efforts to deal with during his presidency. “He believes this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. He does not expect the Union to be dissolved; He does not expect the house to fall; but he does expect it will cease to be divided.” Lincoln claimed that it is

On January 1, 1963, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in Confederate controlled areas liberated. The document contained specific details regarding freedom for slaves. Lincoln was quoted saying to the Secretary of State, “If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some slaves, I would also do that.” The latter is what was attained. While it declared slaves free in most Southern states, some select areas were exempted whilst others were not mentioned at all. Lincoln feared that these “border states”, where slavery was legal, would likewise join the Confederacy if they were included in the proclamation. The “border states” had decided to stay in the Union when other southern states seceded in 1861.

The Civil War was a period of racial injustice and a time of great loss for the people of America. During Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, he creates a moral framework for peace and reconciliation with the use of many rhetorical strategies. With a sincere but reflective tone, Abraham Lincoln highlights the reality of the troubled nation and the solution to all of the problems, which is unity. Lincoln repeats strong phrases to enhance the theme, references to a holy figure, and creates simple, yet structured ideas to achieve his purpose of reuniting the broken nation.

Lincoln suggests that the institution of slavery be contained by preventing the spread of it to the new territories and Free states, although he had no interest in interfering with the already entitled slave states. He agrees that it was the right of the state to make its own decisions, not the federal government. Although Lincoln did not favor getting involved with abolishing slavery in the already declared slave states, he did favor total abolition in the distant future. He was first worried about stopping the expansion of slavery and then the next step to be taken would have been the "ultimate extinction" of it throughout the states. Lincoln did believe that every white man had no more equality than another. For this is one of the main reasons why at this time a resolution needed to be found in order to keep this equality in the new territories. Lincoln made a valid point in his speech that if slave holders were to settle in a new territory along with people opposed to slavery, which party has the right to decide what type of territory and future state it will be declared as? As for the rights of slaves, Lincoln agreed with Douglas that slaves did not have the same individual rights as everyone else, but he did believe that the liberties given under the Declaration of Independence involved such slaves. It is obvious that the Republicans of this time find slavery as being a "moral, social, and political wrong",

An inauguration is a ceremony that marks the commencement of a new term. At this inauguration the President recite his/her inaugural address. Abraham Lincoln during his second Inaugural Address stated his hopes and dreams for America in the upcoming years. To promote the effectiveness of his speech, Lincoln used rhetorical strategies such as formal diction, syntax and Tropes and effects.

As I read the lines carefully of Lincoln's 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

Virtually every person on the planet is, in one form or another, under the rule of some sort of government. If a person were to survey all of the different systems of government and ruling bodies across the world, it wouldn’t take long to realize that every government on earth has its flaws. There is no perfect ruling government body on the planet. So, these systems of government that were set up by sinful people and are currently being run by sinful people naturally produce laws that are unjust, sometimes directly toward a specific subset of people within our culture. These laws separate people, discriminate against others, and are dehumanizing to image bearers of God. Should Christians be expected to follow these laws which go against the

On November 17th 1863 Abraham Lincoln began to write his first draft of his Gettysburg Address. He wrote his famous speech in the White House, while he added a few notes the night before his address to the nation. During the month of November, there seemed to be several small wars and battles fought. None of which was as bloody as the battle that occurred in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Also, in the year of 1863 America reached an achievement by introducing the Emancipation Proclamation, which was brought forth to end slavery.

Abraham Lincoln is a person who has distinguishing qualities like courage or ability and is esteemed to be a role model for his noble qualities. Abraham Lincoln can be called a hero for his strong determination despite the major hurdles that he had to face before entering the office as the President of America. In essence, he was the epitome of the term ‘indefatigable’. His vision was to bring equality to all and he strived hard to accomplish it. The major qualities that make him a real hero are his courage, persistence, and honesty. Abraham Lincoln was a personification of courage for the sheer will to overcome all the failures before turning as a President. Born on February 12, 1809, Kentucky, Lincoln was a son of a carpenter and a farmer. Coming from humble origins, Lincoln is a standing example of making it big in life. He showed bravery with his initiative in fighting against slavery. He evinced leadership qualities during the most dangerous period in the Civil War (“Lincoln Bibliography” par. 1). He wanted to abolish slave trade in America. He was considered to be a deft politician who had leadership skills to gather rival groups to work toward a common goal. His constant struggle and untiring effort resulted with issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that led to freeing slaves in the USA. (“Abraham Lincoln”, par.4). He was elected as the president of the United States for the second time for his efforts