USA HISTORY

Lincoln argues that his speech is what consecrates the ground.

(A) True

(B) ** False

Concept note-1: -To “consecrate” means to make or declare something sacred. Why can those gathered at Lincoln’s speech not consecrate the battlefield? Because the “brave men” who fought and died there already consecrated it through their actions.

Concept note-2: -We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate3-we can not hallow-this ground.

Concept note-3: -Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Concept note-4: -The stated purpose of Lincoln’s speech was to dedicate a plot of land that would become Soldier’s National Cemetery. However, Lincoln realized that he also had to inspire the people to continue the fight. Below is the text of the Gettysburg Address, interspersed with my thoughts on what made it so memorable.