ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

901 Words4 Pages

During his time as President, Abraham Lincoln ambitiously attempted to assist the American people in realizing their own commonalities as one Nation and consequently trying to change within themselves. He hope this would cause the Nation to shift their outlook collectively. This was done by emphasizing their inner humanity, acknowledging their similarities to help them make a change in the country, and helping them to realize the major issues that were tearing the people apart. In a time of turmoil between the southern and northern parts of the country, Abraham Lincoln emphasized the inherit humanity of the American people to try and create a sense of unity. In his speeches, Lincoln tried to convey the message that change within the people …show more content…

He said in his First Inaugural Address, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.” when trying to stop the oncoming civil war. Lincoln was trying to show that the people of America were all inherently allies and need not fight a war against their friends. He reminded everyone that they all pray to the same God and read the same bible, yet they are using his words to fight each other. Lincoln wanted them to look at what they were saying and doing to the other side and how they actually were all very similar. All of the American people wanted a new Nation, the South wanted one with slavery and the North wanted one that worked in cohesion with one another. Lincoln encouraged them to look at these things and find a way within themselves to live as one united Nation. Lincoln wanted people on both sides to honor the people who fought and died as one and to recognize their sacrifice even if it was for the other side. He wanted to make sure they did not die in vain and that the citizens did not forget them in the wake of the changing country. He wanted the people to create their own vision of America, together as

Show More
Related

  • Lincoln First Inaugural Address Analysis

    657 Words  | 3 Pages

    It would be more than difficult not to read Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address without some sense of pride or honor for one’s own country. He brings about a call to civility among all citizens striving for unity and harmony with one another. Lincoln understood the dilemma that slavery became for not only the Northerners attempting to abolish the practice entirely, but also for the Southerners perpetuating it in the first place. The fact that there was a faction rising in favor of slavery on a scale that would divide the country indefinitely and that Lincoln foresaw this danger demonstrates the level of prudence he was able to acquire up until his presidency. In this address, Lincoln stressed the importance of the nation staying unified and true to the principles set by

    Read More

  • Lincoln's First Inaugural Address Analysis

    377 Words  | 2 Pages

    During Abraham Lincoln’s presidency at the start of the 1860, an issue that had divided the nation was slavery. Lincoln’s election to presidency as a republic was not received well by the Southern slave states, as they thought that as a republican he was out to abolish slavery. In an effort to calm southern states and keep them from seceding from the United States, he attempts to ease them with his First Inaugural Address. In his First Inaugural Address his key points are to clam southern leaders of slave states, keep the states from seceding, and make them at ease as he enters presidency.

    Read More

  • Compare Multiple Viewpoints Of Lincoln's Presidency To Machiavelli

    194 Words  | 1 Pages

    He did not want the issue of slavery to become more important than the rights granted in the constitution. Lincoln tiredly tried to preserve the union, while upholding the constitution and used Machiavelli principles to do so. Danoff

    Read More

  • Lincoln And Frederick Douglass Made A Impact After The Civil War

    409 Words  | 2 Pages

    Abraham Lincoln wanted to end the war and have peace for the united states.” Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation freed millions of slaves in confederate held territory.” This upset the the south because they used slaves for

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Assassination Changes

    146 Words  | 1 Pages

    Shortly after President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated into presidency, the American Civil War began, and is currently recorded as one of the bloodiest battles in American history. It is undeniable that Lincoln had a difficult job. In fact, Paul Boller stated, “The burdens he bore during the Civil War were far heavier than those of most American Presidents… Lincoln had to proceed cautiously to avoid alienating the border slave states and offending public opinion.” With this in mind, Lincoln generally one main goal within the beginning Civil War, which was to preserve the union. However, later on, he went on to change his mind on abolishing slavery.

    Read More

  • Abraham Lincoln The Civil War Rhetorical Analysis

    304 Words  | 2 Pages

    Abraham Lincoln was first wanting to show that 87 years ago our fathers created a new nation to form a nation that gives the offer that all men are equal. He says that this war is actually about which side can create an idea that everybody can live with happiness with respect and love. What he’s really saying is that the Civil War is testing our nation. That 's why we’re in the middle of this war. Lincoln states that we give a piece of this land to honor those who gave their lives in hope that the nation might live as a final resting place.

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech Analysis

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    He doesn’t want to dwell on the future, but work on the present. He wants to conduct change and orchestrate harmony among the states. Also, especially, from paragraph 2, Abraham Lincoln starts using the pronoun “all” and, different forms of it, more often to highlight the inclusiveness of the aggregation, North & South, and to make everyone, including himself, on equal ground. This is to bring a sense of unity and appeal to reason. By bringing a sense of unity, he tries to achieve peace and ease in the tension.

    Read More

  • President Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

    531 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his Second Inaugural Address, President Abraham Lincoln addressed the topic of the Civil War and argued that the nation needed to change. He supported his claim with parallel structure to highlight the differences between the North and South, then mentioning biblical references to express the importance of religion, and finally the diction he used helped join the citizens together. President Lincoln’s purpose was to express the similarities between the North and South in order to unify the country once again. He uses a critical, yet hopeful tone towards the Americans of both the North and South. Just one month before the end of the Civil War, President Lincoln gave his Second Inaugural Address in the hopes of reuniting the country once

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    492 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first is his opening statement “Fellow Countrymen”. Lincoln is initially stating that he is as much a part of the working class as any other man. That he is speaking to friends rather than “his people”. When the President says he sees the common people as equals it draws a lot of attention and gives off a good feeling to anyone listening. Another is his constant praise of the Union.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

    799 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is seen clearly in his word choice that Lincoln calls for a lasting and fair peace, but not only between the North and South. He also calls the American people to apply this concept of peace with other countries and in foreign policy. Throughout his Second Inaugural Address, President Abraham Lincoln employs a variety of rhetorical strategies to promote unity between Americans. As Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Lincoln And Frederick Douglass

    729 Words  | 3 Pages

    “A house divided against itself cannot stand” was said by the sixteenth president Abraham Lincoln, who made everything look easy. Although this statement was years before the civil war, it was proven to be true due to the fact that the civil war was fought from people arguing. Unlike Lincoln, Frederick Douglass didn’t have it easy, he had to fight for his freedom throughout the horrendous slavery he dealt with. Throughout Lincoln and Douglass, it is clear that they were leaders and heros, even though some people argued that they are not. Lincoln has brought change to everybody’s life’s by using the power that he had, from being the president and more.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Inaugural Address

    464 Words  | 2 Pages

    To begin, President Lincoln strengthens his points by using parallel structure in paragraph by exclaiming “All dreaded it, all sought to avert it”. By stating this, Lincoln brings together the two very distinct viewpoints by showing that both wanted to advert and stray from the war, knowing neither could due to previous circumstances. Parallel structure entails unification of the two sides of the battle, uniting them through a relatable idea and overall accomplishing the goal of his inaugural address, bonding the confederacy and the union back together. Another example of his use of parallel structure includes his expansion upon the idea that neither side wanted to start the war: “Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict may cease…the conflict itself should cease.” Lincoln indicates that he understands both

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Gettysburg Address

    645 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Great Speech Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 delivered one of the most iconic speeches in American History. His delivery infuses us with such raw power and emotions that poured out from the bottom of his heart will change the hearts and minds of Americans for ages to come. Abraham Lincoln did not just write one speech he made five different copies with different sentence structure and paragraph structure, to show how important the layout of the message and how it needed to be simple and to the point. Dissecting “The Gettysburg Address” we begin to understand Abraham Lincoln’s heart lies, he reminds everyone about our past and that we should honor those who fought for our freedom; he tells us “All men are created equal” only to show us what we need to work on as people in the present, he spreads hope for the future and encourages us to grow together

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis

    642 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lincoln urges the people to “strive on to finish the work we are in,” “to bind up the nation's wounds,” he is trying to get the United Sate Citizens to become one again to unite and be one strong country, showing that even after a huge war that the country can remain strong and unified and that this war will allow for a strong brotherhood in the US. Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is significant because Lincoln offered and objective point of view. Lincoln did not speak of the unloyalty of the South nor did he praise the North. Rather, Lincoln used multiple points to show that the Unification should be the main focus of his speech not that the states should be divided because of

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address

    502 Words  | 3 Pages

    Abraham Lincoln in the speech, The Gettysburg Address, constructs a point of achieving a "just and lasting peace" between the North and South without retribution. Lincoln supports his assertion by justifying his beliefs of unity between the states. Lincoln's purpose is to influence the people to not allow what has been done to go to waste. He wants his audience to realize that this division will only persist if no one settles the current issues in society. Lincoln speaks in a sympathizing, determined tone to address the Americans who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and to the rest of Americans who he wants to see a change from.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Open Document