What was a vital, inspiring speech that was oblivious to its importance and yet changed America? The Gettysburg address was given by Abraham Lincoln and was used to inspire America to hold their ground and continue fighting the war wholeheartedly. The battle of Gettysburg was an essential, yet devastating battle in the Civil War. Through this speech, President Lincoln used many key terms with varying connotations to persuade America and to win over the peoples’ loyalty.
President Lincoln had a very strong love and support for the soldiers that fought in the battle, dead or alive, and therefore attempted to convey these feeling onto the rest of America, using a negative connotation. Specifically, he used the phrase “unfinished work” to demonstrate and convince America of the dedication and strength that they not only needed to continue on with but that they also possessed. To represent, Lincoln said, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” From this, my understanding of the phrase “unfinished work” is that when people are willing to die for a cause so willingly and bravely, no matter what fears or trials face them, that people earn not only respect but makes their cause more than worth fighting for.
While other phrases may convey the same meaning, Lincoln’s choice was clearly one of the most effective. The use of the inspiring phrase “unfinished work” aided Lincoln in inspiring and dedicating the soldiers and the rest of America to persevere through their issues, not only as a whole country but also physically. The reasoning is still unexplained on why Lincoln chose this provoking phrase, but clearly, he knew America finishes what they start. What would laws look like today if Lincoln wasn’t looking out for us, herding us as we were lost amidst the war?
President Lincoln had a very strong love and support for the soldiers that fought in the battle, dead or alive, and therefore attempted to convey these feeling onto the rest of America, using a negative connotation. Specifically, he used the phrase “unfinished work” to demonstrate and convince America of the dedication and strength that they not only needed to continue on with but that they also possessed. To represent, Lincoln said, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” From this, my understanding of the phrase “unfinished work” is that when people are willing to die for a cause so willingly and bravely, no matter what fears or trials face them, that people earn not only respect but makes their cause more than worth fighting for.
While other phrases may convey the same meaning, Lincoln’s choice was clearly one of the most effective. The use of the inspiring phrase “unfinished work” aided Lincoln in inspiring and dedicating the soldiers and the rest of America to persevere through their issues, not only as a whole country but also physically. The reasoning is still unexplained on why Lincoln chose this provoking phrase, but clearly, he knew America finishes what they start. What would laws look like today if Lincoln wasn’t looking out for us, herding us as we were lost amidst the war?
A New Vision
President Lincoln had one chance to put this nation back together and it was the Gettysburg Address. After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln had changed his views about what our country should be. He had always talked about a “Union” before this speech, but after the bloody war that divided the nation, he looked for a new term that could be used to bring the North and South together. Lincoln’s first use of the word “union” in many of his earlier speeches was changed to “nation” in the Gettysburg Address.
The first time that Lincoln used nation, he was talking about the forefathers who had designed what the nation should be 87 years earlier. When the fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence they believed in a country where all men were created equal. In the second paragraph he uses the word “nation” twice in the first sentence and what he is saying is that the experiment the forefathers put together could exist now and if it could even exist anywhere on earth. He was telling the people that they needed to decide, could we have a nation like they had envisioned? He was also saying if our experiment failed, could it be possible to ever work? Then he speaks about nation again by saying that these men who had given their lives would have given their lives for no reason if this wouldn’t work and we need to pull together as a nation. The final time that he speaks about nation, he is telling the people that they all have to pull together and that they have to move forward with a united front where all men will have a say in our government. As he says “...of the people, by the people, for the people…”
The word nation appears in the Gettysburg Address for very specific reasons. The forefathers had a vision of a free nation. Lincoln knew we couldn’t let their ideas go because too many men would have died without a purpose. So the only choice was to move forward. Lincoln was finally pulling our country back together.
President Lincoln had one chance to put this nation back together and it was the Gettysburg Address. After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln had changed his views about what our country should be. He had always talked about a “Union” before this speech, but after the bloody war that divided the nation, he looked for a new term that could be used to bring the North and South together. Lincoln’s first use of the word “union” in many of his earlier speeches was changed to “nation” in the Gettysburg Address.
The first time that Lincoln used nation, he was talking about the forefathers who had designed what the nation should be 87 years earlier. When the fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence they believed in a country where all men were created equal. In the second paragraph he uses the word “nation” twice in the first sentence and what he is saying is that the experiment the forefathers put together could exist now and if it could even exist anywhere on earth. He was telling the people that they needed to decide, could we have a nation like they had envisioned? He was also saying if our experiment failed, could it be possible to ever work? Then he speaks about nation again by saying that these men who had given their lives would have given their lives for no reason if this wouldn’t work and we need to pull together as a nation. The final time that he speaks about nation, he is telling the people that they all have to pull together and that they have to move forward with a united front where all men will have a say in our government. As he says “...of the people, by the people, for the people…”
The word nation appears in the Gettysburg Address for very specific reasons. The forefathers had a vision of a free nation. Lincoln knew we couldn’t let their ideas go because too many men would have died without a purpose. So the only choice was to move forward. Lincoln was finally pulling our country back together.
Dedication
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation…..” Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t the longest speech ever given, only about two minutes, but the point was not to be lengthy, but to give the people of the States hope and courage that the Civil War would come to an end in peace, and that the ground that they were standing on was not ground where innocents died in vain, but where soldiers fought proudly for their country. This is the message that Abraham was trying to get across when he used the word ‘dedicate’ multiple times.
To quote Abraham, “ We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live.” In this sentence, Abraham uses the word dedicate to talk about the field on which the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, and that they were using it as a mass grave site of those who died there. The next time he uses the word ‘dedicate’, (he uses dedicate about 5 times), he talks about how they "...cannot dedicate, they cannot consecrate, they cannot hallow this ground…", meaning, that what happened on that field, was far beyond repair, and that they should not make it into a grave. The word ‘dedicate’ throughout the speech means to honor the people who died there and to devote themselves so that those men did not die in vain.
In conclusion, when Abraham gave the Gettysburg Address, he was giving it to honor and remember the people who gave their lives and how they were giving that ground to them and for them. In doing this, he used the word ‘dedicated’ a lot, but it did get the point across that that is that's what he was doing, dedicating, giving the land to those who fought there. To end, “We here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God have a new birth of freedom in the government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln).
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation…..” Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t the longest speech ever given, only about two minutes, but the point was not to be lengthy, but to give the people of the States hope and courage that the Civil War would come to an end in peace, and that the ground that they were standing on was not ground where innocents died in vain, but where soldiers fought proudly for their country. This is the message that Abraham was trying to get across when he used the word ‘dedicate’ multiple times.
To quote Abraham, “ We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live.” In this sentence, Abraham uses the word dedicate to talk about the field on which the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, and that they were using it as a mass grave site of those who died there. The next time he uses the word ‘dedicate’, (he uses dedicate about 5 times), he talks about how they "...cannot dedicate, they cannot consecrate, they cannot hallow this ground…", meaning, that what happened on that field, was far beyond repair, and that they should not make it into a grave. The word ‘dedicate’ throughout the speech means to honor the people who died there and to devote themselves so that those men did not die in vain.
In conclusion, when Abraham gave the Gettysburg Address, he was giving it to honor and remember the people who gave their lives and how they were giving that ground to them and for them. In doing this, he used the word ‘dedicated’ a lot, but it did get the point across that that is that's what he was doing, dedicating, giving the land to those who fought there. To end, “We here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God have a new birth of freedom in the government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln).
It’s November 19, 1863. The president of the United states faced a crowd of over 3,000 mourning people. His mission? To bring unity to after the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. Despite the solemn and despairing citizens, many people returned to their homes invigorated to persevere. Why the sudden change of emotion? Because they just witnessed one of the greatest speeches in American history.
Lincoln knew that delivering a speech to a war-torn country would not be easy. He knew every word would count. This is why in the sentence,”..that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause which they gave their last measure of full devotion” that devotion really stands out. Abraham meant that the citizens should increase their loyalty to the soldiers who died trying to heal the nation. Abraham used devotion among other words to remind citizens why they should support the war-- to keep the nation intact. Devotion means love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or cause. The president wanted to remind citizens why they are fighting the country-- to keep the nation intact.
Abraham Lincoln delivered a great speech when the nation most needed it. His loaded connotations and careful wording helped strengthen his country. One could only imagine how the Civil War would have turned out if it were not for Gettysburg.
Lincoln knew that delivering a speech to a war-torn country would not be easy. He knew every word would count. This is why in the sentence,”..that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause which they gave their last measure of full devotion” that devotion really stands out. Abraham meant that the citizens should increase their loyalty to the soldiers who died trying to heal the nation. Abraham used devotion among other words to remind citizens why they should support the war-- to keep the nation intact. Devotion means love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or cause. The president wanted to remind citizens why they are fighting the country-- to keep the nation intact.
Abraham Lincoln delivered a great speech when the nation most needed it. His loaded connotations and careful wording helped strengthen his country. One could only imagine how the Civil War would have turned out if it were not for Gettysburg.
Hypothetical Five-Hundred Dollar Suggestion
If the school received five-hundred dollars, I believe that they should choose to invest the money into school supplies for low-income families. This would be a great decision because some families struggles even get food on their table. If they can barely afford food, they won’t want to spend their money on school supplies. Spending the money on supplies would aid families to be able to have their children fed and energized for school. Also, students who arrive at school unprepared are usually lectured. Most students can probably recall at least one instance where someone comes unprepared, and there is a long lecture all about how important our education is. Although these children cannot be held accountable, it is not their fault. Providing low-income students with supplies would make them not dread school and more motivated. I believe that kids who come to school physically unprepared are also mentally unprepared. Another issue this would solve is unnecessary spending. The school often asks for supplies that go unused. North should provide the necessities and indicate that some supplies are optional. Families often waste money on pointless supplies. In conclusion, with this hypothetical five-hundred dollars, North should buy low-income students’ supplies.
If the school received five-hundred dollars, I believe that they should choose to invest the money into school supplies for low-income families. This would be a great decision because some families struggles even get food on their table. If they can barely afford food, they won’t want to spend their money on school supplies. Spending the money on supplies would aid families to be able to have their children fed and energized for school. Also, students who arrive at school unprepared are usually lectured. Most students can probably recall at least one instance where someone comes unprepared, and there is a long lecture all about how important our education is. Although these children cannot be held accountable, it is not their fault. Providing low-income students with supplies would make them not dread school and more motivated. I believe that kids who come to school physically unprepared are also mentally unprepared. Another issue this would solve is unnecessary spending. The school often asks for supplies that go unused. North should provide the necessities and indicate that some supplies are optional. Families often waste money on pointless supplies. In conclusion, with this hypothetical five-hundred dollars, North should buy low-income students’ supplies.
As the school year progresses, more and more opportunities open up, especially in sports. The rising interest to practice sports is certainly not a problem, but, limited supply of equipment, combined with the higher demand of appurtenances affirmatively is. This is why I recommend our school board to invest in new sports equipment. Buying new equipment and adding new balls can increase playground activity, student health, and create new friendships and hobbies.
When North Middle School first opened its doors for new seventh graders, the box stored ten basketballs, five footballs, and a soccer ball. Now, just over midterm, eight basketballs and three tattered footballs remain. The (loss) of supplies is atrocious! We need to replenish the ball supply! Fights have often broken out over possession of the ball. Many kids will wander the blacktop hoping a ball comes their direction. Boredom at recess is a contagious and common plague.
Students need exercise! Unfortunately, the strain on supplies has slowed down physical activity. Kids will line up at the door and wait for the period to end. A new variety of sports equipment can bring a change to that.
Playing sports can help you make new friends. People that are otherwise opposites can play together on a shared sport. I’ve met many of my closest friends playing sports, but, you can’t play without proper equipment. Our state of equipment is impeding our play. People are much less likely to play at recess if the equipment is tattered and old.
To conclude, buying new equipment would help students health, benefit and create new friendships, and give students something to do. It is time for our school to forebear from quixotic ideas and focus on what's important. New equipment will solve many problems.
When North Middle School first opened its doors for new seventh graders, the box stored ten basketballs, five footballs, and a soccer ball. Now, just over midterm, eight basketballs and three tattered footballs remain. The (loss) of supplies is atrocious! We need to replenish the ball supply! Fights have often broken out over possession of the ball. Many kids will wander the blacktop hoping a ball comes their direction. Boredom at recess is a contagious and common plague.
Students need exercise! Unfortunately, the strain on supplies has slowed down physical activity. Kids will line up at the door and wait for the period to end. A new variety of sports equipment can bring a change to that.
Playing sports can help you make new friends. People that are otherwise opposites can play together on a shared sport. I’ve met many of my closest friends playing sports, but, you can’t play without proper equipment. Our state of equipment is impeding our play. People are much less likely to play at recess if the equipment is tattered and old.
To conclude, buying new equipment would help students health, benefit and create new friendships, and give students something to do. It is time for our school to forebear from quixotic ideas and focus on what's important. New equipment will solve many problems.