The Civil War is considered to be one of the most devastating events in American history. The war not only tore the nation in two, but divided families. Brothers, sons, fathers, and uncles fought against each other during Civil War battles in the bloodiest four years in America’s history.
Primary Source - Evaluating the Gettysburg Address
Storyboard Text
SETTING
Abraham LincolnGettysburg, PA Battlefield DedicationThe Gettysburg AddressNovember 19, 1863
MAIN IDEA
The Gettysburg Address aimed to discuss how the entire nation was affected by war. Lincoln believed deeply in equality for all Americans.
EVIDENCE
“…conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...”
Lincoln challenged people to think about equality in new ways.
PERSPECTIVE
The Declaration of Independence
Lincoln redirected the nation to think about the ideas of equality as they relate to the Declaration of Independence. He never used the words "slavery", "union", or "confederacy".
AUDIENCE
Lincoln intended his audience to be the entire nation.
SIGNIFICANCE
Lincoln chose to recognize the sacrifices by both sides of the war. In doing so, he could voice his opinions about equality in a way that would be accepted by both the North and South.