Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Summary

In the article, “Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address,” Abraham Lincoln, the United States President during the Civil war, persuaded his audience. He wrote in such a way to say that “That was in the past, and now we must act,” he would describe the situation from both sides at a neutral standpoint, and would use things like rhetorical questions to emphasize his point.

In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln provided one of the most memorable speeches in history that affected the way American citizens saw the war. The March 4th speech in 1865 gave more people hope for the country and allowed them to trust that God will help them through the Civil War. The people trusted Lincoln to help them through the situation because he had already served his first term as president, and the people knew he was trustworthy, so they re-elected him. Lincoln professionally used rhetorical appeals such as ethos pathos and logos to press his audience to agree, as well as tone to show his audience how importantly they should be taking the subject. Abraham’s Second Inaugural Address was an introduction to his plan for the United States for the next years he would be president, and much of it was a discussion about the Civil War and how they would bring it to an end.

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.

In Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, President Lincoln addresses a divided nation. Both the Union and the Confederacy are bitter to each other towards the end of the war. However, Lincoln calls both the north and the south to set aside their issues that divided them in order to heal their broken nation. Lincoln uses a slew of rhetorical methods in his speech such as tone, diction, and syntax to further assist him in achieving his purpose of uniting the nation.

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.

To appeal to all common man during 1865, Lincoln uses biblical allusions. He makes an argument, "Both read the same Bible and pray and pray to the same God, and each invoked His aid against the other." (Line 42) While had declared both parties not wanting war, both had gotten war. Lincoln

Washington’s farewell address and Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address both mention about the military, the relationship between North the South. Also they both achieve and cherish a just and peace nation. Lincoln’ thinks people are afraid of the civil war, so they are trying to avoid the civil war happen. However, Lincoln claims the reason cause the war was interest, he is telling people he would devotes altogether to saving the Union without war. In Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address, we can see Lincoln is more focus on the slavery. However, in Washington’s farewell address, he is telling people more about the relationship between North the South, not just focus on slavery, he thinks the North and South are in an unrestrained intercourse with each

These reasons factor into why the Emancipation Proclamation could be considered a political document, by drawing a line in the sand between the Union and the Confederacy. It was also declared “a gross violation of the wages of civilized warfare.” (Wilbur) Many were disappointed as Lincoln abandoned the “rose water” approach to war, which approaches a conflict in a hasty manner. (Witt) Rightful to his religion, the proposal shadowed Lincoln's religion was followed in his speeches and presidency. It could be thought that since he is only focusing on his religion, other people might be singled out due to the variety of religion in various parts of the world. However, the United States was acknowledged as a Christian capital, with Christianity as the dominant religion with two-thirds of people being followers of the religion. Lincoln also believed that “every man should enjoy the fruit of his own labor.” (Reed) It is still believed today, in the modern values and beliefs that everyone should deserve the beneficial, profitable hard-working labor the workforce does today. Not only did this for document have many possible outcomes, Lincoln poured is soul into such a problematic rebellion. (Curated Grouping) With possible outcomes, Union defeated Confederates quicker, Union would've been left intact. These causes helped organize modern laws for the new days of warfare. (Schwartz)

Abraham Lincoln was perhaps one of the most courageous President in the United States to put in a great effort to binding the North and the South together as a whole. The issue of slavery has been ongoing since the beginning of time, and it came into effect in 1865 when the nation was split into two due to opposing opinions on slavery. As the United States is buried deep in the hot mess of the Civil War, on March 4, 1865, Lincoln delivers his powerful Second Inaugural Address which ultimately had the nation on its toes. Instead of giving a speech on politics, slavery, and states’ rights, he explains the effects of the Civil War and presents his vision for the future of the nation. By utilizing his persona as a veteran President, he appeals

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.

Abraham Lincoln had a bright vision for our country and for its well-being. Lincoln has a very optimistic approach to the war. The way that Lincoln speaks about the two sides of the war shows that he believes that the country will have unity again soon. As Abraham Lincoln was the President of the Union, he still only spoke highly of their enemy in the war, the Confederacy. He spoke of them as though they were still part of the Union. That was a very smart way to approach this address because it did not give the Confederacy any

“Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address” was designed to remove the blame of the Civil War from both sides, and to encourage the South in order to unite the country when the dispute has been resolved. In the text, Lincoln believed that people should come together to end slavery and the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln effectively uses logos, repetition, and imagery to provide a strong argument to end slavery and the Civil War.

his speech he includes politics, slavery and states’ rights. To achieve his purpose Lincoln used

Lincoln wanted to unite the Nation – he wanted to stop the violence, the bloodshed, the hate. But Lincoln never wished to damn any of his “fellow-countrymen.” He wanted to bring about unity, and connection. He wanted people to receive love, to give love, to become love. Through his conspicuous, relatable, and simple religious allusions, Lincoln attempts to connect the audience on a spiritual, enlightening, and common interest: God and his holy religion.

​Abraham Lincoln addressed the people of the United States in his writing “The Gettysburg Address.” Lincoln’s speech addresses how our nation dealt with the struggle of equality and humanity. Lincoln’s strong ideas and beliefs on humanity are shown in his speech: “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion” (503).