Preview

Why Is Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Unsuccessful

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
411 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why Is Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Unsuccessful
In Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address a Civil War battle, had just taken place. Lincoln was discussing the events that had taken place in Gettysburg, Virginia a few weeks prior to November 19, 1863. At the time his speech seemed unsuccessful because the people thought his presentation was too short. Also, the people thought it should have been a memorial service for the soldiers who died instead of a challenge to continue the war. It took many years for the country to recognize its value. The Gettysburg Address was a powerful, yet ineffective, speech at the time of delivery due to its length and disappointing message.

The first reason Abraham Lincoln’s speech was unsuccessful is it was way too short. According to history.com, “he spoke

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Although many remember him as the President who ended slavery and preserved the Union, Abraham Lincoln was also a very gifted political prose writer. Lincoln wrote many powerful and memorable speeches, but arguably his most famous speech is the 272-word “Gettysburg Address,” which he delivered at a dedication ceremony for the first national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout the entire speech, Lincoln masterfully utilizes several rhetorical techniques, especially the use of repetition. He repeats two separate patterns of grammar in his address. For example, to start his third paragraph Lincoln writes, “But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground,” and to finish that same paragraph,…

    • 195 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Abraham Lincoln’s speech “The Gettysburg Address”, he explains why the great civil war was fought and keeps on urging the public to continue fighting. His argument developed through rhetorical devices of juxtaposition, repetition, and diction. His purpose in speaking is to encourage the American population to go on battle in order to unite the nation and keep their pride. His primary audience is the American public, especially those with the capability to fight.…

    • 336 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the most powerful speeches that President Abraham Lincoln made towards the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was empowering to many people. The aspect of the speech that Abraham made declared about the memorial battle that many soldiers had occurred to them. He gave hope for our nation to be mindful of the obstacles that our soldiers faced while fighting for our countries freedom. The soldiers who fought in the battle were fighting for our nations rights, and equalities, that us as “Americans” deserve. Words that he hopes that many people will be remembered about the memorial speech, of empowering words.…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Gettysburg Adress of Abraham Lincoln written on November 19, 1863 has helped his tone during the speech with the use of three rhetorical devices, such as : repetition, antithesis, and parallelism. His goal is to explain why it is important to honor the dead with increased devotion. Lincoln is honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrafice. With the tone of confidence and determination he managed to bring up a powerful speech with a powerful voice. One example of repetition in his speech to help reflect his tone was when he stated, " of the people, by the people, for the people."…

    • 386 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg not only memorialized the deaths of the fallen, but also, through the use of the rhetorical strategies of repetition, pathos, and syntax, served as a away to get the people to continue the war. His syntax was most effective in the way that his speech was only composed of two hundred and seventy-words and still serves as one of the greatest speeches ever made. Lincoln’s repetition was used very carefully concentrating on the words being repeated and finally his use of pathos. Lincoln used pathos in away that affected the audience’s emotional views about the battle and the emotional connection between him and the audience. Lincoln’s speech was successful because of these rhetoric devices.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On March 4, 1865, Lincoln presented himself to the public to deliver his speech; days before the Civil War came to the end. Lincoln’s anguish is displayed as he summarized the events that led to the Civil War. Trust was destroyed between the North and South and Lincoln was left with a nation in turmoil fighting over slavery. He reminded the people that they were one nation, not two independent nations warring against each other. He did not want to throw accusations to one side and chose to show the common qualities each side had in each time period. In doing this, he forced the people to widen their mind and consider the other side’s perspective. He did not want the sides to continue fighting and wanted to create a common ground and impacted…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Battle of Gettysburg was a horrendous tragedy that took the lives of 51,000 union and confederate soldiers. Sensing that the battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln decided to address the nation at the battlefield. He gave a speech titled "The Gettysburg Address" in which he used compelling ethical and emotional appeals to successfully inspire the citizens of the union to continue fighting the civil war.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    After the Battle of Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln made his famous speech, ‘Gettysburg Address’. This battle made a huge…

    • 229 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Abraham Lincoln in his speech, The Gettysburg Address, put emphasis on the battle, which is appropriate because The Battle of Gettysburg was the most important battle of The Civil War. A factor in The Battle of Gettysburg's importance was how costly it was. The battle lead to the most casualties for a single battle of The Civil War. That has massive ramifications on the rest of the war. It put significant deficits on both the armies of the Union and the Confederacy.…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863 to signify the dedication to the soldiers that lost their lives in the Gettysburg battle which took place during the Civil War. This war was important to Lincoln because he believed it signified new beginnings to the U.S. with terms of freedom. Keeping in mind that the Gettysburg battle was the turning point for the war since this was the time that things started to finally look good for the North. In the reading it says, "At Gettysburg, he identified the nations mission with the principal that "all men are created equal," spoke of the war as bringing about a "new birth of freedom." In this Lincoln believes that there is a new idea that slaves are free and all men are created…

    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The ¨Gettysburg Address¨, a speech by Abraham Lincoln, was made to move the citizens of the United States of America, after the tragic battle of Gettysburg. This battle costed the lives of thousands, on both sides of the war. Lincoln made this to honor, the brave men who have died for cause of the union. He states that the founding fathers conceived this nation of freedom, and that we are all created equal. That the people shall not disgrace what was done on the battlefield, and that the United States of America shall not perish.…

    • 182 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On November 2, 1963, President Abraham Lincoln received a letter from David Wills of Gettysburg. Wills explained in this letter, that the soldier’s dead bodies were buried in a special area and they were going to hold a memorial to honor the dead soldiers. He invited President Lincoln to attend and to deliver a view remarks. President Lincoln’s speech is known as the Gettysburg Address.…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gettysburg Address (1863) The year is 1860, and a relatively new country, The United States of America, is distressed. Divided, they argued. The Southern States felt that it was their given right to have slaves, and the northern states felt as if it was something of the past.…

    • 1079 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Gettysburg Address was the most famous speech given by President Lincoln. It was given after the Civil War almost as a way to restore the nation and honor the fallen soldiers. In the speech Abraham starts off by saying “ Four score and seven years ago” which is significant because that was when the Declaration of Independence was signed and when the colonies gained their freedom from Great Britain. He then goes on to say that the founding fathers built the nation on liberty and equality for all men, but years later they are fighting to see if it's…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gettysburg Address

    • 275 Words
    • 2 Pages

    I believe that the Gettysburg Address was a turning point in the Civil War because the Confederacy lost the Battle of Gettysburg from a military standpoint. Many reasons were suggested, but one of the main reasons was mental. It was General Lee's only hope to win a big victory in Northern territory, but he lost it, and therefore the morale went down. Lee had to go from offensive to defensive.…

    • 275 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays