Gettysburg Address (by Abraham Lincoln)

Introduction: Why a Short Speech Matters So Much

Welcome! Today we are diving into the Gettysburg Address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Don’t let the length fool you—even though it is only about 272 words long, it is one of the most important Required Foundational Documents for your AP exam.

In this chapter, we explore how Lincoln redefined the American Civil War not just as a struggle to save the Union, but as a "new birth of freedom" that would bring the United States closer to its founding ideals of equality. For your exam, you need to understand how this document connects our founding principles to the survival of our democratic institutions.

The Historical Context: A Nation at a Crossroads

The speech was given during the American Civil War at the dedication of a national cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The country was literally tearing itself apart. Lincoln’s job was to explain why the war was being fought and what was at stake for the future of representative democracy.

Quick Tip: Think of the Gettysburg Address as the "bridge" between the Declaration of Independence and the modern United States. It takes the ideas written in 1776 and applies them to the crisis of the 1860s.

Breaking Down the Document

Lincoln structures his speech into three parts: the past, the present, and the future. Let’s look at what he says in each.

1. The Past: "Four score and seven years ago"

Lincoln starts by looking back. A "score" is 20 years, so \( (4 \times 20) + 7 = 87 \) years. If you subtract 87 from 1863, you get 1776.

By starting here, Lincoln is making a very specific point: the United States was born not just when the Constitution was signed, but when the Declaration of Independence was written. He reminds the audience that the nation was "conceived in Liberty" and "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

2. The Present: The Great Civil War

Lincoln describes the war as a test. He says the war is testing whether a nation dedicated to liberty and equality can "long endure." If the United States failed, it would suggest to the world that self-government (democracy) was impossible and that people could not govern themselves without a king or a dictator.

3. The Future: A "New Birth of Freedom"

Lincoln argues that the best way to honor the soldiers who died is to ensure that the government continues to function. He famously concludes that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." This phrase is the ultimate definition of popular sovereignty—the idea that the government’s power comes from the citizens.

Key AP Government Themes and Principles

To succeed on the AP exam, you should be able to link the Gettysburg Address to these core political concepts:

A. Popular Sovereignty and Republicanism
Lincoln’s phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people" is the gold standard for describing a Republic. It emphasizes that the institutions of government exist to serve the citizens, not the other way around. This aligns with the "Big Idea" of Civic Participation in a Representative Democracy.

B. Natural Rights and Equality
While the original Constitution did not explicitly use the word "equality," Lincoln uses the Gettysburg Address to put the Equal Protection ideals of the Declaration of Independence at the center of the American story. This set the stage for later constitutional changes, like the 14th Amendment.

C. The Nature of the Union
The speech reinforces that the United States is a single, unified "nation," rather than just a loose collection of independent states (as it was under the Articles of Confederation). Lincoln’s focus is on preserving the Union to protect individual rights.

Connection to Other Foundational Documents

The AP exam often asks you to compare documents. Here is a quick way to relate the Gettysburg Address to others in this section:

• Declaration of Independence: Lincoln quotes it directly ("all men are created equal") to show that equality is our "proposition."
• Emancipation Proclamation: While the Proclamation was a legal/military order to free enslaved people in rebel states, the Gettysburg Address provides the moral and philosophical reason for that freedom—a "new birth of freedom."
• Federalist No. 51: While Federalist No. 51 focuses on the mechanics of government (checks and balances), the Gettysburg Address focuses on the purpose and spirit of that government.

Study Tips for the AP Exam

1. Use it in the Argument Essay (FRQ 4):
If the prompt is about founding ideals, civil rights, or popular sovereignty, the Gettysburg Address is a fantastic piece of evidence. You can argue that Lincoln redefined the purpose of American government to include the active protection of equality.

2. Watch for "Text-Based Analysis" (Multiple-Choice):
You might see a passage from the speech and be asked what it implies about democracy. Remember: Lincoln’s main point is that the survival of the Union is essential for the survival of democracy worldwide.

3. Don't Mix Up Your Documents!
Common Mistake: Students sometimes think the Gettysburg Address freed the slaves. It didn't! The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) was the executive order that addressed slavery; the Gettysburg Address was the speech that explained the meaning of the struggle.

Quick Review: Key Takeaways

• Core Idea: The Civil War is a test of whether a democratic government can survive.
• Founding Ideal: The nation is built on the principle that "all men are created equal."
• Definition of Democracy: Government "of the people, by the people, for the people."
• The Goal: A "new birth of freedom" and the preservation of the Union.

Keep up the great work! Understanding these 272 words gives you a deep insight into how the U.S. government views its own mission and identity.