Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural Addresses

Description

No one else had a stronger impact on American history during the Civil War between the North and the South than Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865), who was elected into office twice, and managed to do more during his short time in power than most leaders would in an entire lifetime. Presented here, Lincoln’s inaugural addresses are now a part of history and a testament to the effort and ideals of a man who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the nation he believed he could build.

Lincoln’s first inaugural speech was given on March the 4th, 1861, in a time when the chaos caused by secession was threatening both the nation that elected him and his own person. With the North and the South straying further apart and Jefferson Davis having been inaugurated as the President of the Confederation just two weeks earlier, Lincoln’s task was a difficult one: that of urging for peace and ensuring that the Union stays strong even in the event that it would become split between those who would uphold the political values of the South and those in favor of the Union.

Long and equally fascinating, the first inaugural address follows Lincoln’s own words at the height of his career, as he speaks of the problems of the day, the dire times that would follow and his resolve in upholding the true values of a Government based on the justice of the people.

In his second address, Lincoln was far more brief, speaking about the terrible war that has ravaged the land, and speaking of the common ground that both sides shared, including their many losses and their religious ideals.

Lincoln’s second address was also given on March 4th, exactly four year after the first. He gave the speech on the East Portico, in front of thousands of spectators who had gathered round as a testament to the respect he was given due to his remarkable efforts during his time in office and his key role in the Civil War.
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