Gettysburg Address response. [did anyone else fall asleep?]

1) Lincoln one of the most powerful orators wrote a speech, titled the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln covered many topics pertaining to the nation, but failed to include topics in which would seem imperative enough to include.

• Lincoln did not mention any presidents that preceded his term. Our nation did not result in the way it was stated in the Gettysburg address on its own. Meaning we did not become a nation no longer holding its freedom and equal rights overnight. It was stated that our nation was created free and equal, but at the end of the day I wonder; what happened? Perhaps he did not want to offend or slander his forefathers, or perhaps he did not believe it was their doing. A nation is only as strong as its leader.

2) Lincoln’s closing sentence of the Gettysburg Address was one of the most effective and mind altering. He is stating that as a nation we must bind together, to complete the unfinished task of fighting a war that should have never started. Despite the fact that it was trivial, Lincoln does not want it to be that the men died in vain. Was this to better his reputation? It was stated previously that the nation was conceived in liberty where all men were created equal. If that’s truly the case; what are we fighting for? Being president it would be easily inferred that Lincoln had the authority and power to end it, but to save face he stated that their lives were not taken in vain. This closing sentence is supporting Lincoln’s earlier statements on the war. Basically America was born free, and men will/should die to keep it that way. Overall this speech most likely gave a comforted outlook to the audience. They were told that their government by, for, and about them would never perish abolishing the idea in their minds of dictatorships and oligarchies. In addition, I’m sure it was comforting to know that people were willing to shed their blood for them so that they would continue to have the opportunity to remain free.


3) The Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Address reflect each other, but differ greatly. Both revolve around the nation’s independence status. The Declaration of Independence was written to declare that all 13 colonies would bind together in the hopes of creating a united nation. Overall its purpose was to discuss the separation of the colonies from England in the hopes of becoming independent. Meanwhile the Gettysburg Address was written to discuss the Civil War, and how it would make America the united nation it was born to be. The way these two documents were written, portray different meanings. The Gettysburg address was written in reflection of the point of view of the soldiers that dies fighting for America’s independence; while The Declaration of Independence was more from the perspective of the government attempting to unify the nation.


4) A speech that comes to my mind now, is Obama’s democratic nominee acceptance speech. Unlike Lincoln’s it was not short and sweet, but maintaining the powerful effect. Obama’s speech was long, but was filled with topics aimed at his audience in a way that would keep them awake, and interested. Both Lincoln and Obama are outstanding orators, who are highly intelligent. Both care about the feelings of the people, and both ultimately want equality for everyone. Even if it’s jus everyone equally receives health care the overall point is everyone should receive equal rights despite where they originated, or their social status.