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Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

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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

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