Alliteration In Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

The Civil War was a time period of social, political, and economic tensions. The North and South fought to decide whether to stop or continue slavery. Abraham Lincoln, the then president, addresses the two crowds before and after the war; however, in the second address, after the war, he uses specific literary devices to convey his message, of the need to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln uses varied sentence structure and appeals, in his succinct Second Inaugural Speech, to try to bring back harmony in the states and the abolitionment of slavery. Abraham Lincoln uses varied sentence structure to emphasize his message of harmony and abolition of slavery.

President Abraham Lincoln uses a variety of rhetorical strategies in his Second Inaugural Address to pose an argument to the American people regarding the division in the country between the northern states and the southern states. Lincoln gives this address during the American Civil War, when politics were highly debated and there was a lot of disagreement. Lincoln calls for the people of America to overcome their differences to reunite as one whole nation once more. Lincoln begins his Second Inaugural Address by discussing the American Civil War and its ramifications. As Lincoln gives this speech the war is winding down, which is the reasoning behind the urgency for the unity which Lincoln calls for.

Shortly before the American civil war came to an end, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the president of the United States for his second term in the year 1860. It was during his second inauguration when he delivered a public speech where he speaks about the civil war and its effects on the future of America. It is worth noting that the whole point of him addressing the nation was to direct his thoughts about the civil war instead of giving a congratulatory speech. During this time, insurgent agents were aiming at making the war rather than letting the nation Name 2 survive. Through the analysis of his speech, it is evident that Lincoln was aiming at preserving the union and this made a great contribution to American Civil War.

The American Civil War that was started due to the controversy over slavery in 1861, was won by The Union supported by President Lincoln against the Confederate states. President Lincoln’s original goal during the civil war was to reunify the nation as quickly as possible and help both sides come to an understanding. After the Civil War ended in 1865, the newly formed United States’ reconstruction era began. The Reconstruction era was put into effect by the Congress in 1866 and lasted until 1877. The Union’s victory in the Civil War had given African Americans a new sense of hope, devastated the southern economy, and eased the history of disunity in American political life.

(Source B2) Lincoln’s proclamation was one of strategy as it aimed to abolish slavery as well as recruit those previously enslaved to help the North win the civil war. The freeing of slaves would also result in the weakening of the South’s economy since “The South’s economy was based on slavery.” (Source A). Thus the South’s ability to effectively wage a war against the Union North would have been depleted and the slaves in those areas would be freed from years of slavery, both being a dual victory for Lincoln. “Slaves, as the property of individuals and businesses, represented the largest portion of the region’s personal and corporate wealth, as cotton and land prices declined and the price of slaves soared.” (Source H). Slavery was becoming a growing concern in the initial stages of the war and Lincoln soon realized that by ending slavery he could help end the Civil war.

However, they hardly know how each slave felt going through the phase of slavery. Both parts should read the memoir because it presents a story that unravels the bitter truth and the sweet sensation of life in the eyes of this young man. Pro-slavery Americans should be ashamed, and Abolitionists should expand their knowledge based on the history of

What a powerful speech to give in the midst of thousands watching and listening. To Lincoln the war was inevitable and unavoidable. He makes this very clear to the audience. Lincoln uses repetition throughout using the word “we” to pull the country back together, to make them unite no matter what race. The war was unavoidable, the South needed slaves and the North didn’t do much to stop it.

To meet and overthrow the power of that dynasty is the work now before all those who would prevent that consummation.” Lincoln was trying to say that although many states are on their way to abolishment, many states are still allowing slavery, and it is in the hands of the people who are against slavery to take a stand and do something. Lincoln may never have come out and said a clear solution to slavery, but he used his powerful words to give rise to the beginning of a

Constitution and altered it by explicitly protecting the institution of slavery. This peculiar institution was what made the Confederacy unique. Sectionalism over economic, social, political, and constitutional issues regarding slavery continued from Buchanan’s inauguration in 1857 until secession after Lincoln’s election in 1860. “The expansion of slavery into western territories provided the catalyst for the growing perceptions of northerners and southerners that they held different intentions of the republic’s future.” “In the South, loyalty to slavery and its required expansion became the hallmark of party politics as the region’s politicians—Whigs, Know-Nothing, and Democrat—competed to demonstrate their loyalty to southern rights.” This loyalty was a significant characteristic of Southern Nationalism. The flag of the Confederacy was also another symbol of Southern Nationalism.

Henry draws comparisons to colonial times when he says, “There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged, their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!” (Lines 58-59). Henry feels as if the colonists are as desperate and exasperated as the Children of Israel. Moses, the leader of the Israelites, promised to them that God would carry them through the battle of dealing with Pharaoh. Henry uses a direct reference to Exodus 14:14 when he says, “There is a just God...to fight our battles for us” (Line 10).