Abraham Lincoln. the 16th President of the United States. gave the now-famous “Gettysburg Address” address on November 9. 1863 during the American Civil War. “The Gettysburg Address. ” merely two-hundred and 72 ( 272 ) words and estimated to hold lasted merely two-three proceedingss. was Lincoln’s manner of promoting the American people to keep their support for the Civil War. The address was. nevertheless. approximately much more than war. Lincoln delivered the address to stress American ideals of freedom. justness and equality for all people – dogmas cardinal to America’s beginnings. development and hereafter.

This essay will supply the followers: 1. ) the American Revolutionary War. the Declaration of Independence and their influence on the “Gettysburg Address. ” 2. ) the importance of the “Gettysburg Address” during the Civil War epoch. and 3. ) the relevancy of the “Gettysburg Address” during the 20th and 21st centuries. While the “Gettysburg Address” was short in length. it refers to America’s long history based on the battle for civil autonomies. For illustration. some European adventurers traveled to the Americas in hunt of wealth in the 1500s. 1600s and 1700s ; while others sought spiritual and political freedoms.

By the 1700s. 13 British settlements were established in North America. In 1770s. settlers rebelled against British regulation and started the American Revolutionary War. In 1776. colonial leaders drafted the Declaration of Independence. This papers declared the original 13 provinces free from British regulation. It besides emphasized the colonial beliefs in single rights and the equality of work forces with followers: “We keep these truths to be axiomatic. that all work forces are created equal. that they are endowed by their Godhead with certain inalienable Rights ; that among these are Life. Liberty and the chase of Happiness.

That to procure these rights. Governments are instituted among Men. deducing their merely powers from the consent of the governed. ” Lincoln referred to the Declaration of Independence in the “Gettysburg Address. ” He used it to explicate that the United States of America was created based on the rules of equality and freedom. Because of America’s beginnings. Lincoln argued that all people were created equal. and that the authorities of the United States existed to protect the rights of all Americans.

Lincoln stated. “Four mark and seven old ages ago our male parents brought away on this continent a new state. conceived in Liberty. and dedicated to the proposition that all work forces are created equal. ” In that statement. Lincoln compared the Civil War to the American Revolutionary War. He suggested that the two wars were both based on the chase of freedom and equality for all. and that the Civil War was necessary because of that. He besides emphasizes here the importance of continuing the United States Government. which exists to protect the rights of all Americans.

Lincoln’s referral to the Declaration of Independence in his address was non merely a mention to the importance of America’s history. It was besides a supplication to his audience during the Civil War Era. The Civil War. begun in 1861 with South Carolina’s sezession from the Union. was chiefly a conflict over the right to go on the pattern of bondage. American bondage forced people of African beginning to supply free labour. It besides denied people of African beginnings basic rights.

Bondage was the footing for the economic system in most southern provinces. In many northern provinces. bondage had been outlawed and was seen as unfair. Therefore. the issue of bondage divided the United States. As a consequence. Lincoln used the “Gettysburg Address” to promote Americans to contend to continue the “united” States. Harmonizing to Lincoln. the United States was based upon freedom and equality. and that our authorities was created to protect the rights of its citizens. regardless of their race or faith.

He stated in the “Gettysburg Address: ” “…Now we are engaged in a great civil war. proving whether that state. or any state. so conceived and so dedicated. can long endure… this state. under God. shall hold a new birth of freedom—and that authorities of the people. by the people. for the people. shall non die from the Earth. ” Lincoln besides used the “Gettysburg Address” to promote continued support of the Civil War when the American populace was exhausted by the horrors of war.

Lincoln gave the “Gettysburg Address” in Gettysburg. Pennsylvania at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. This ceremonial commemorated the Battle at Gettysburg. which occurred in July 1863 and resulted in more than 7. 000 deceases. more casualties than any other Civil War brush. The Battle at Gettysburg was a turning point in the war. weakening the Confederate states. Because of the big figure of deceases. Lincoln besides utilized the “Gettysburg Address” as a manner to memorialise those who had lost their lives. He stated: “We are met on a great battle-field of that war.

We have come to give a part of that field. as a concluding resting topographic point for those who here gave their lives that that state might live…It is instead for us to be here dedicated to the great undertaking staying before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotedness to that cause for which they gave the last full step of devotion—that we here extremely resolve that these dead shall non hold died in vain…” Thus. Lincoln appealed to the American populace. inquiring them to back up the Civil War to protect single freedoms. to continue the state. and besides in recollection of the work forces who lost their lives during and as a consequence of the war.

Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” had beginnings in the American Revolutionary War in the 1770s. was created to derive public support of the Civil War in the 1860s. It has besides been used repeatedly in the twentieth and 21st centuries to advance American ideals of freedom and equality. One of the most noteworthy illustrations of this is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. ’s “I Have a Dream” address. King was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. which was designed to give inkinesss the same rights as Whites – like the right to vote. the right to travel to different public topographic points. etc.

King gave his “I Have a Dream” address in 1963 in Washington. DC before more than two 100 thousand ( 200. 000 ) people. and referred to President Abraham Lincoln and his “Gettysburg Address” address. King stated: “Five mark old ages ago. a great American. in whose symbolic shadow we stand today. signed the Emancipation Proclamation…” In decision. Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” was non merely of import historically. but it is relevant today. His address was about two constructs. First. he promoted the belief that all people were created equal and merit the same rights and freedoms.

Second. he promoted the thought that our authorities. and therefore our state. is deserving continuing because both exist to protect those rights and freedoms we all deserve. The battle for equality in our state still exists ; while it is less about race and more approximately simple economic sciences. Lincoln’s address summed it up – it doesn’t affair what you look like. how much money you have. or your educational degree – all people are created equal. And. our authorities exists merely to protect that construct.