Rhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

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Recommended: Reconstruction era after the civil war

U.S. History
May 6, 2014
Jasmine Roque

Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural speech. Abraham Lincoln begins by addressing the nation on the ongoing civil war and his hopes on the nation uniting as a country again. Lincoln tells them “ The progress of our arms upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it its, “ Lincoln is saying that he is equal to the public and that he has also felt the wars effect. I think the main reason why this speech was written was to start reconstruction. Since the Civil War just ended, now is the time to start reconstruction. Later on, Lincoln starts talking about the North and South. It says,“ Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nations survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.” It means that the North and South weren’t planning on war but because of wanting to save their nation, they sacrificed themselves and started a war. Lincoln then states, “ To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. He is saying that the war happened not because of the issue of owning slavery but because of the expansion of slavery.

He then says, “ Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.” He is saying here that the North and South pray to the same God but have war against an issue called slavery that isn’t even right according to God’s Word. Lincoln then...

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...things happening right now wouldn’t happen if he didn’t do anything about it. It also allowed the slaves to finally be free, have proper education and get their dignity back. It’s also important because it showed how slavery was a sin and that the South and North wouldn’t have did anything if it wasn’t for this Address. Another reason is that Lincoln wrote this address to call on the attention of the nation. He wanted the nation to build up again.

Another question you may ask is, what is the main purpose why Abraham Lincoln wrote this address? The first purpose is to say Abraham Lincoln’s plan to have peace or reconcile with the nation after the civil war. The second purpose is to catch attention to the people that they need to do something about their nation. They needed to hear the necessity and good intentions of these plan and how it will affect their nation.

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