After reading Lincoln's second inaugural address, to what extent did he allude to his possible plans for the post-war United States? Also, how did this speech reflect or compare to his first inaugural address?
Check your class notes regarding his first inaugural speech and his views on the secession of the South for further reference. In addition, if you want to read the actual first inaugural address, it can be found at http://www.apstudent.com/ by clicking on the 'documents' link. Post two comments, the first being your answer to the questions asked, and the second a response to your classmates. We will have a further discussion about this on Friday during our Civil War Food Day.
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In his second address, Lincoln shows that he will go to whatever lengths necessary in order to secure freedom for blacks. He acknowledges the fact that it will be a difficult fight, and that much blood will be spilt in the process but does not specifically mention the reconstruction of the Union that will have to occur if freedom is achieved. He would have to deal with issues such as integrating blacks into society after the war, and also what to do with the sudden increase in unemployment. To a certain extent, he alludes to the fact that he will harbor "malice toward none" and this shows that he will be forgiving towards the South in the interest of preserving the Union.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part Lincoln did not touch upon post war USA. he did not want to make any assumptions or falsehoods based on how he thought the war was going. the first inagural address dealt primarily with the impending war and now that the war is almost over lincoln is looking back on the last four years of the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vishakha, he does talk about the freedom of blacks but doesn't actually go into details on what is to come for america
ReplyDeleteIn this speech, Lincoln's entire focus is geared towards the Civil War and its possibilities and realities. He mentions how the debates over slavery was a large factor into the cause of the war and the how the outcome of the war would decide the future of slavery. Additionally, Lincoln described how he hopes that the nation would be returned back into unity and that he wishes to "bind up the nation's wounds." Thus, he wanted the country to come together again, rebuild, and re-establish itself among other nations of the world in peace with them and the nation itself.
ReplyDeleteIn the last paragraph specifically Lincoln alluded to his plans of Reconstruction by encouraging the nation to “strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Although Lincoln does not mention Reconstruction in the sense of civil liberties for slaves, infrastructure in the war-ridden regions, and integration of the Southern states into Congress, he does imply that the Union accepted the war to keep the country from perishing and will continue after peace has been made to rebuild a great nation. Thus, by stating that the nation’s wounds must be bound he does not simply want to conclude the war but additionally create a bond between the North and South.
ReplyDeleteLincoln’s second inaugural speech recognized the naïve sentiment—that war could be avoided—that existed before and even during the beginning of the Civil War. “Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained…” The entire nation “dreaded it, all sought to avert it.” With four years of experience, Lincoln was able to reflect upon his first term noting that both sides “deprecated war.”
Lastly, Lincoln’s second address differs from his first inaugural address because in the first address Lincoln was trying to appease the south, cautiously speaking as to not inflame the tension filled situation. However, in 1865 Lincoln recognized that the south made “war rather than let the nation survive.”
Lincoln's second inaugural speech is, thankfully, much shorter than his first. He immediately made known his intention to get right on the important matters, namely the war's progress and then eventual finish. He spent much of the speech talking about slavery, and how its evil was a driving force behind the war in the first place. One of his goals for the future was obviously to end the practice throughout the entire United States. In having this wish, he also implies that he wants the Union to be reformed and have all its citizens living together, despite their differences.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's views on slavery in his second speech are noteworthy, because in his first inaugural speech he quoted one of his previous speeches in saying "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." Back then, he only wanted to prevent slavery from spreading to new territories, but by the time he delivers his second inaugural address, his views have changed to eliminating slavery all together.
I disagree with Ricky's statement that Lincoln said nothing about post-war plans. Although he made no specific references to any sort of Reconstruction concept, he did make his goals of reunion and eliminating slavery known.
ReplyDeleteIn his 2nd inaugural address, Lincoln discusses the future to a certain extent, but seems to avoid making any direct statements regarding the future of the US. Instead, he decides to make "no prediction" and focuses on the current state of the nation. He discusses the war's background and the role of slavery more than the future. However, he does mention his desire to bring the union back together and alluded to plans of Reconstruction. In comparison to his 1st address, I think Lincoln was speaking much more freely. In his 1st address, the civil war might have still been seen as avoidable, an thus he was walking on eggshells with everything he said. For his 2nd address on the other hand, the war was already underway and for that reason Lincoln discussed the war much less cautiously and spoke of slavery quite openly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melinh's comment regarding the length of Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address. He was definitely much more to-the-point with his 2nd address, unlike his first address in which he spoke in a very roundabout way.
ReplyDeleteIn his 2nd inaugural address, Lincoln set no specifics for the future of America. He did make clear a stronger union would be created between the north and south. Much of the speech underscored slavery as the problem that had led to war, and that the war’s outcome would determine the state of slavery in the nation. As opposed to his first inaugural address, where he assured the south he had no intent of interfering with slavery, he now promised it would end. He wanted the country to come together again, strong as ever, rebuild in an era of peace.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vishakha's point that Lincoln was very forgiving toward the south. Amazing? Perhaps.
ReplyDeleteIn the second inaugural address Lincoln explained his plans to win the war and end slavery. He emphasized that he would do everything in his power to abolish slavery and that slavery was at this point the main focus of the war. Lincoln also made small mention that he had many post war plans, yet there was no specific mention of reconstruction.
ReplyDeleteVishakha brings up a good point by saying that he does not discuss the plans for reconstruction and that reconstruction of the union is necessary if he abolishes slavery and wins the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura in the sense that Lincoln set no specifics for the future of the nation, however he did imply that the country would come together as a stronger America.
ReplyDeleteIn Lincoln's second inaugural address he starts off giving facts that demonstrate his knowledge of the matter at hand. He is aware of the problem and remains hopeful for the future, however, he cannot make any predictions concerning what that hope is. He states, "With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured." Then Lincoln goes on to discuss the Civil War and how it began. He also talks about the role of slavery and the past rather than the future. He reminds the people that the war was brought on by disagreements and invokes guilt in the people by saying "Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came." By the end of Lincoln's speech he alludes to rebuilding the nation when he says, "let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds..."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vishakha that when Lincoln says he will harbor "malice toward none" he is going to forgive the South in order to perserve the Union because throughout his speech he shows the importance of unity and how reconstructing the country is in his best interest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carly's statement of the difference between his first and second inaugural speeches. Lincoln, in the beginning, was hesitant to take any direct action against slavery in the fear that it would completely alienate the South and also jeapordize his chances of winning the election. In the second speech, he seems resigned to the inevitability of the war, and is ready to deal with it. It could be seen as necessary as well, because the South had no inclination to compromise.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inaugural address was rather brief, but still effectively addressed the problems at that time and his goals for the future. Though he did not express the exact details of his plans to achieve those goals, he made it clear that slavery must be abolished and the nation must be rebuilt. At the end of his speech, Lincoln further expressed his desire "achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace" amongst both the Union and Confederacy. An obvious comparison between Lincoln's two inaugural addresses is that the second one is much more succinct. Also, in the second address,Lincoln recognized that there must be action taken against slavery, whereas in the first one, he put the issue on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteVishakha made a good point in mentioning how blacks could have been a problem after the war because they had to be integrated into white society.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inagural address discussed the current state of the nation and he did not make a direct statement alluding to the future. He did mention however how he wanted to end slavery and get rights for blacks and that that was the main goal of the war now. He also says how he wants to reconstruct the South and bring the country back together. In his 2nd speech he talks more openly than the first for instance he talks about slavery openly because the war is almost over and he knows the Union will win.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vishakha also because he is going to forgive the South in order to preserve the Union and how his main interest is preserving the Union at this point. I also agree with her point about integrated blacks into society and the new unemployment because now blacks could take the jobs of whites for much cheaper.
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to the first address, Lincoln spends the majority of the speech discussing the past four years. Instead of trying to make the public believe that war is not necessary, he states how the country has dealt with the last four years. Looking ahead, Lincoln briefly mentions that blacks will soon have their freedom. However, he does not going into much detail about this, because the war was not yet over. Along with that, contrary to the first speech, Lincoln was no longer trying to appease the South and keep the relations civil. Instead, he stated the facts and what should happen to our country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ricky that Lincoln did not really mention what his hopes and plans were for the future. He did mention that Blacks should have their freedom, but did not go into great detail. His speech was short and to the point.
ReplyDeleteIn Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, he approaches this speech to the American public in a completely different way than he did in the first. Surprisingly, Lincoln makes few references to the future and addresses the progress in the Civil War head on. Though it was a sensitive subject at the time and one of the most significant reasons for which his election was not embraced, Lincoln made sure to make it known that he was not the kind of politician to avoid the elephant in the room. Lincoln lived up to his nickname of "Honest Abe" by coming to terms with what Americans felt were his shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brittany that Lincoln's explicit reference to winning rights for blacks in such a widely watched speech would not have been expected in the First Inaugural Address, but seemed to fit in his Second Address considering the time frame of the Civil War. However, it still showed how Lincoln was determined to show the opposition to black rights that now that the war was almost won, American whites had no choice but to accept that this social change would occur.
ReplyDeleteLincoln’s inaugural address was much shorter the second time around. During this speech, he clearly addressed the issue of having slavery abolished. Referring to the post-war United States, he wanted to repair the damaged country and create a lasting peace. In comparison to his first address, he clearly and directly mentioned the unacceptability of slavery whereas the first time, he tried avoiding directly mentioning it. The first time, he didn’t want to upset the South too much so he was very careful about what he said but this time, he spoke what he exactly what he was thinking.
ReplyDeleteI like how Melinh incorporated a quote.” I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." Lincoln here proves his bashfulness about directly speaking about slavery.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inaugural address was much different from his first one. IN his first inaugural address, lIncoln seemed to be more conscience of his audience, and did not reveal too much about himself and his policies. He did this to avoid all of the criticism and attention, that he would recieve if he had given a strong minded opinion on a certain subject, like slavery. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln was a bit less care4ful, and seemed to basically "speak his mind". LIncoln had already won the election for the last time, and seemed to care less of other's opinions of him. He devised a clear stance against slavery, however, he made little reference to how he would go about acheiving this. Lincolns second inaugural address was more of a review of his first term, in that he mentioned all of his progress in the civil war, and abolishing slavery.
ReplyDeleteI like how Helen said "Referring to the post-war United States, he wanted to repair the damaged country and create a lasting peace." This quote essentially summmarizes Lincolns objective for acheiving a unified nation.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inaugural address was different from his first one in a few ways. The most obvious point, is the fact that the second speech is much shorter then the first. Lincoln kept it short and to the point. He didn't want to beat around the bush when talking about slavery and the war nor sugar-coat anything. He was a lot more straight forward and open about his plans whereas in the first speech he was more vague about his views on certain subjects because he was worried about how people would percieve him. In this speech, Lincoln directly talked about the issue of slavery. Also, he didn't make any real promises to the people. He basically said that he would try to do everything he could do restore peace. He never promised to restore the Union or anything like that. Furthermore, it is important to note how Lincoln was very respectful to the South when talking about the war in his speech. He could have been very mean about it, rubbing it in the Southerners faces, but chose the more respectful path.
ReplyDeleteI like how Matt addressed the fact that Lincoln didn't care about people's opinions since this is his second term. Also, I like how Matt said he was "speaking his mind".
ReplyDeleteLincoln’s inaugural address was much shorter the second time around. During this speech, he clearly addressed the issue of having slavery abolished. He was a lot more straight forward and open about his plans whereas in the first speech he was more vague about his views on certain subjects because he was worried about how people would percieve him. As opposed to his first inaugural address, where he assured the south he had no intent of interfering with slavery, he now promised it would end. He wanted the country to come together again, strong as ever, rebuild in an era of peace. He made his point and just wanted to get back to the task at hand and deal with the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how Grant said that he really just wanted to get it over with and he was not going to speak behind any smoke and mirrors this time.
ReplyDeleteIn Lincoln's second inaugural address, he really didn't talk about plans for the future. I suppose he didn't want to make any false promises and promote false hope because it was such a difficult task to pull the North and South together again. He knew it would be hard, so rather than do the typical politician method (promise for public popularity but then don't deliver) he was honest and just acknowledged that it had been a long and hard fight.
ReplyDeleteThis was different from his first address because then, he was making promises. He claimed he wouldn't interfere with slavery and he didn't want to fight with the South. I think by his 2nd speech, he had learned from his first speech to "never say never."
Alexis also makes a good point: he said what he needed to say (the 2nd time around) and he went back to the task at hand, which was working on the war.
ReplyDeleteIn his second Inaugural Address, Lincoln shows that he never wanted a war with the South to begin with. He blames the Confederacy for "seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation",while the Union "would accept war rather than let it perish". This shows that Lincoln is not eager to punish the South, but wants the Union back together and strong. Like he later shows in his Reconstruction plan, Lincoln is lenient on the South and allows them to keep their dignity.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Lincoln puts strong Biblical references in his speech that compare the Union and the Confederacy. Both "read the same Bible and pray to the same God", as Lincoln says. However, Lincoln hints that the Union is doing God's work by freeing the slaves. In his Reconstruction plan, Lincoln puts this same emphasis on making sure the slaves remain free and safe.
I agree with Christina that unlike Lincoln's first Inaugural Address, Lincoln avoids making false promises to the public. At this point, he is aware that the people are tired of the war and just want everything to fall into place. Lincoln realizes this will not be easy and the public will not want to hear that there is still a long way to go, so he keeps his speech short and to the point.
ReplyDeleteIn lincolns second inaugural speech, he pushed for reconstruction of the union and getting the country back togeather. this speech was MUCH shorter than the first. he also tried to make obvious that the south had no intent of interfering with the abolition of slavery. Lincoln really didnt mention anything specific about the future of the country. He was extremely vague because he didnt want the people of your nation to percieve him as a liar. So he basically just stuck to talking about the current state of the union and nothing about the future.
ReplyDeleteI also like how carla picked out direct quotes from Lincoln's speech. I feel like that was important and helps discover the direct motives behind Lincoln's speech
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inaugural address asserts that his top priority is bringing the Union back together. He also expresses that slavery will be abolished to prevent a further conflict. He hinted a little bit about the idea of reconstruction because he realized that the South needed to change. Overall, his main focus was reuniting the North and South.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grant that Lincoln made his speech short and to the point. This helped show that he was serious about his goals.
ReplyDeleteLincoln's second inaugural address was significantly shorter than the first one. The tone was also more of explaining what has happened and what's currently going on regarding the Civil War and the issue of slavery. I don't think President Lincoln needed to make a statement like he did back in 1861. The people had all experienced his ways of leadership for four years, so why should he take time to explain the way he plans on running the country? He also linked the North and the South in his speech by mentioning the fact that both sides are religious and read the same Bible and pray to the same God. By doing so, Lincoln is building a commonplace between the enemies.
ReplyDeleteIn the first speech, Lincoln builds plans for the future four years whereas in this next one, he basically explains what he sees as the cause of the war. He stated the plantation owners themselves took up an interest in the use of slaves and this particular interest is what began the war itself. He wraps up the speech by explaining how he hopes the war will be ending soon so we can mend our wounds and come back stronger than befor
I like how Carla mentions the fact that Lincoln never wanted a war to begin with. He was also reluctant about starting this battle, however he knew that the Union would be torn by this issue.
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