Summary Of The Sullivan Ballou Letter

No other word is more fundamental and has more meaning in describing what Americans are and their ideologies than freedom, but prior to Civil War, the real meaning of freedom had to be learned. Can a country be a free nation if not everyone is enjoying freedom? The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave shows that prior to the Civil War, slaves had no rights or freedom. The book Across Five Aprils shows that the issue of slavery was so big, that it was causing division among families, more important it torn the country apart. The Sullivan Ballou Letter helps us to appreciate that the government needed help to be united again and many were willing to give their own life to help to make the government strong. History shows

Many lost their life for the cause. In the Sullivan Ballou Letter, Sullivan was very aware of the dangers of being in a war, he knew he could die and that he would be letting go of all his happiness, joy, and Sarah his eternal love. In his letter, Sullivan Ballou speaks with sadness of the possibility of never speaking to Sarah again, “Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.” He, though, was perfectly willing to so. He understood how America needed his help and he felt a sense of debt to those who gave their life for freedom in the Revolutionary War. In the text, he says, “I know how strong American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.” Like Sullivan, many lost their life for freedom and the country. The war settles many issues, freedom was granted to the slaves and the country was united again. More important, the nation learned what it means to be free. It learned that true freedom is not having the power to act without restraint without regard for others, it cannot exist without respect for the freedom of