Second, Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, March 1865
1. What is the author arguing? March 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was sworn into his second term in office. The second address is much shorter than his speech during his first address; Lincoln spoke about the long and deadly war and looked forward for peace in America. He planned for reconstruction and his main focuses was on shortening the war and ending slavery once and for all. In his speech Lincoln stated this “Let us strive onto finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace. It’s hard to say that the author is making an argument when it comes to historical speeches because they are just that a speech and not a debate. The Inaugural address or President Lincoln is a stepping stone in history not just something read out of our history books. 2. How does the author appeal to Logos, Pathos, and Ethos? President Lincoln was careful when speaking at his second address he spoke about God and the Bible in the speech but stated that this was from the same Bible and pray to the same God which each invokes his aid against the other. That’s a strong statement from Lincoln and had to be difficult due to the fact that the two parties believed in the same God but were unable to use the teaching of God in the same way’s which would have maybe made things work more smoothly with the two political parties. Lincoln wanted nothing more than to heal the wounds of America and more forward with peace for not only the white Americans but for also the African Americans as well. 3. What is the historical significance of this document? President Lincolns second Inaugural Address was significant in history because this was his speech into his second term during a major war time which began during his first term and America still voted for him for office a second time which I am sure America still held their faith in Lincoln at that time even though the war was still going on which most Americans thought President Lincoln should wrap up the war and bring the men home. 4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not? Lincoln’s speech is nothing but convincing he spoke to America with emotion and showed them that he cared about finding peace for every American. Lincoln wasn’t just there to serve as a President he was there to serve for America which he did. President Lincoln addressed both of the parties that were involved and did not blame one over the other but spoke to them as one whole political party. His main goal in the speech was to find peace and to end the war and bring the American men home safely to their families.
Yes, Lincoln wanted to bring the men home and he spoke to everyone equally but I think he did it that way so he would not step on anyone's toes and to keep the peace with the people. He was and still is one of the best and most talked about Presidents but I think his way was different then the political parties now. These days they mainly stick to people who are in their political party then they work outwards to reach the other groups. Lincoln just addressed everyone but he also got his point across and still didn't hurt anyone's feelings or say that who thought differently them him was wrong. He just stated what he needed to and it was great.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons that Abraham Lincoln is one of the presidents that almost everyone knows. I agree that he is talking about caring about the people and this ones sounds more uniting the the first one. Like he said here, "let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations". Compared to the first when he was talking about the North being the North and the South being the South.
ReplyDeleteI think that the faith America had in Lincoln shows in the fact that he was re-elected while they were in the middle of a war. He made his address short and to the point.