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Lincoln's Inaugural Address Analysis

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The United States was at war with themselves and its people were in a battle between their ears. The citizens of the United States needed inspiration to trudge through the Civil War and ultimately needed to be encouraged to reunite as a whole. Inspiration most often comes from leaders and those who are looked up to- at this time, Abraham Lincoln was the biggest leader in the nation’s eyes. Lincoln, in preparation for his second presidency, delivered an Inaugural Address carrying views along with thoughts expected by none. The citizens of the United States were prepared to hear his views on politics, abolishing slavery and overall states’ rights. Instead of confirming these predictions, President Lincoln shared his thoughts on the Civil War and how the country would be changed from it while also incorporating his aspirations of unification. Although the citizen’s thoughts were concentrated of war, Lincoln’s powerful words awed the minds of listeners and captured the ears of his people …show more content…

He was not a supporter of slavery and believed it was an offense toward God rather than a sin- as slavery was never directly stated as one in the Bible. He believed that God “gave both North and South this terrible war” (57). He also believed that slavery was the cause and the effect of the Civil War. Despite the fact that Lincoln believed it, slavery cannot be pinned down as the direct cause of the Civil War. He did not let his personal view however, come through to the audience within his tone. His tone was one of reflecting and remembering the suffering in which each half has endured. Wanting to encourage the people to look past the hatred and disgust, he portrayed a tone of optimism- which promoted the overall purpose of his speech. The purpose being to bring back together the North and South, in effect abolishing

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