History of the Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, stands as one of the most significant speeches in American history. Despite its brevity—comprising only 271 words and lasting under two minutes—it has resonated through generations as a powerful articulation of national ideals, democracy, and sacrifice. Given during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the speech sought to honor fallen Union soldiers and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to liberty and equality.
A photograph captured around noon on November 19, 1863, shows Abraham Lincoln seated at the center, facing the camera, in Gettysburg. Just a few hours afterward, he delivered his historic address.
The Gettysburg Address is generally acclaimed as one of the most enduring speeches of our nation’s history.
Historical Context
The Battle of Gettysburg, fought between July 1 and July 3, 1863, was a turning point in the American Civil War. It marked the bloodiest battle of the conflict, with over 50,000 casualties, and ended in a decisive Union victory that halted the Confederate Army’s advance into Northern territory.
Recognizing the need to properly honor the fallen soldiers, local officials organized the dedication of a national cemetery. Although Lincoln was not the event’s primary speaker—Edward Everett, a former senator and diplomat, delivered a two-hour oration—his concise and poignant remarks overshadowed the lengthier address and became immortalized in American history.
Content and Meaning
Lincoln opened his speech with the phrase “Four score and seven years ago,” referring to the nation’s founding in 1776. By invoking the Declaration of Independence, he reinforced the principle that the United States was “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
Lincoln framed the Civil War as a test of whether such a nation could endure. He emphasized that the ground of Gettysburg had already been consecrated by the soldiers who fought there, stating, “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”
The speech’s climax urged the living to dedicate themselves to the unfinished work of preserving the Union and ensuring that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This phrase encapsulated the democratic ideal and underscored the necessity of national unity and perseverance.
Reception and Initial Reactions
Despite its later fame, Lincoln’s speech was not universally praised at the time. Some contemporary newspapers, particularly those with Democratic affiliations, dismissed it as unremarkable.
The Chicago Times criticized it as “silly, flat, and dishwatery,” while the Harrisburg Patriot & Union suggested it should be forgotten.
Conversely, the Springfield Republican lauded it as a “perfect gem,” and Edward Everett himself praised Lincoln for capturing the essence of the occasion more effectively in two minutes than he had in two hours.
Evolution of the Gettysburg Address’s Legacy
In the decades following Lincoln’s death, the Gettysburg Address became increasingly revered. The construction of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922 helped solidify its place in national consciousness, with the speech inscribed in its marble walls.
It became a staple of American education, often memorized by schoolchildren and cited by politicians in moments of national reflection.
By the 20th century, the address had transcended its wartime origins to symbolize American democratic values globally.
Gettysburg Address, American statesman, John Hay’s copy of the Gettysburg Address. This copy includes handwritten corrections made by Lincoln.
Literary and Rhetorical Mastery
The Gettysburg Address is frequently studied for its masterful use of rhetoric. Lincoln employed parallelism, repetition, and allusion to biblical and historical themes. The deliberate use of contrast—such as “the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here”—emphasized action over words. His choice of plain yet evocative language allowed the speech to resonate across audiences and time periods.
Despite its humble beginnings, the Gettysburg Address has endured as a beacon of national purpose and unity, continuing to inspire generations.
Influences and Comparisons
Scholars have drawn comparisons between the Gettysburg Address and Pericles’ Funeral Oration from ancient Greece. Both speeches honor fallen warriors while reaffirming the values of democracy. However, Lincoln’s address is distinct in its brevity and reliance on the language of the King James Bible, which lent it a solemn and poetic quality.
Some historians also suggest Lincoln was influenced by Daniel Webster and abolitionist preacher Theodore Parker, who had earlier articulated ideas about democracy “by the people, for the people.”
Manuscript Variations and Authorship
There are five known versions of the Gettysburg Address, each slightly different. The most widely accepted version, known as the Bliss Copy, includes the phrase “under God,” which is absent in some earlier drafts. This version, written by Lincoln himself, is displayed in the White House and serves as the authoritative text.
Cultural and Political Impact
The Gettysburg Address has been invoked by numerous leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., who referenced Lincoln’s words in his “I Have a Dream” speech. The phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” has been echoed in political discourse worldwide, influencing democratic movements in countries such as France and Japan.
Timeline
- July 1–3, 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg results in over 50,000 casualties and a decisive Union victory.
- November 2, 1863 – David Wills invites President Abraham Lincoln to deliver “a few appropriate remarks” at the cemetery’s dedication.
- November 18, 1863 – Lincoln departs Washington, D.C., arriving in Gettysburg that evening. He stays at Wills’ house.
- November 19, 1863 – The dedication ceremony includes a two-hour speech by Edward Everett. Lincoln then delivers his 271-word Gettysburg Address.
- November 20, 1863 – Everett praises Lincoln for expressing the event’s meaning “in two minutes.”
- 1864–1865 – Lincoln writes multiple copies of the address, with the Bliss version becoming the standard.
- 1922 – The Gettysburg Address is inscribed in the Lincoln Memorial.
A picture of Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Abraham Lincoln’s speech at the Gettysburg Address is regarded as one of the most significant expressions of American democracy and is widely memorized and studied.
What were the sociocultural effects of the American Civil War?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Gettysburg Address considered significant?
It redefined the Civil War as a struggle not just for the Union’s survival but for the principles of liberty and equality, reinforcing the idea of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
How long was the Gettysburg Address?
It’s been estimated that Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was only 271 words long and lasted about two minutes.
What was Lincoln’s key message in the speech?
He honored the soldiers who died at Gettysburg and emphasized the importance of continuing their unfinished work to ensure that democracy would endure.
What famous phrase begins the speech?
“Four score and seven years ago,” referring to 87 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
How did Lincoln connect the Civil War to the nation’s founding?
He argued that the war tested whether a nation “conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” could survive.
The brevity, depth, and rhetorical brilliance of the Gettysburg Address ensure that it remains one of the most studied and revered speeches in the world.
Why was the Battle of Gettysburg important?
It was a turning point in the Civil War, resulting in a decisive Union victory that weakened Confederate forces.
An illustration depicting the Battle of Gettysburg.
Was Lincoln the main speaker at the event?
No, the main orator was Edward Everett, who spoke for two hours before Lincoln’s brief remarks.
A photograph of Edward Everett during the 1860s.
How was the speech received at the time?
Initial reactions were mixed; some newspapers criticized it, while others praised its eloquence. Over time, it became one of the most revered speeches in U.S. history.
What does “government of the people, by the people, for the people” mean?
It affirms democracy as a system where power resides with the people rather than a ruling elite.
Did Lincoln write multiple versions of the speech?
Yes, five known handwritten copies exist, with slight variations. The most widely accepted version is the Bliss Copy.
What role did the speech play in shaping American identity?
It reinforced the values of democracy, equality, and national unity, influencing future leaders and political rhetoric.
Where is the Gettysburg Address inscribed today?
It is engraved on the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Lincoln Address Memorial at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
How has the speech influenced modern culture?
Its phrases have been referenced in political speeches, literature, and even international documents, such as France’s Constitution, which echoes its democratic ideals.
