Submitted by LoneWolfInCyberia t3_yz2yj8 in Pennsylvania

Abraham Lincoln's by now memorable Gettysburg Address was not a very long speech, hardly had 10 sentences, and lasted only for few minutes. But in those few minutes, Lincoln bought out the entire essence of the Civil War, the reason for the conflict, the fight for freedom and preserving the Union. It is often said that communication is all about delivering the message effectively in the shortest way possible. Here in just a couple of minutes, Lincoln forcefully put across why the Union had to be preserved, leaving no doubt in any one's mind.

Now if we actually look at the speech, and summarize the key aspects of it, we can really understand it's impact.

>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.

Lincoln lays forth the main point at the very start, the fact that the US was created as a nation where all men would be equal. An institution like slavery, which considered some men to be inferior, because of their race, was very much against the basic founding principles.

>Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. 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.

After setting the opening tone, on the basic idea,of why the US was founded in the first place, Lincoln then reiterates, why the Civil War was necessary. To preserve the nation, that the founding fathers dreamt of, it was the dream for which many men were giving their lives on the battlefield.

>The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced

After opening with why the US was founded, and following it up with why the Civil War was necessary, Lincoln now touches the chord in the audience, of how the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers should not go waste. Of fighting another war against slavery, so that their sacrifices do not go waste.

And this is how he ends.

>that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

In just one speech, barely covering 10 lines, Lincoln starts with the founding of the US, to the conflict that is needed to save the Union, emphasizes on the value of the sacrifice made by the soldiers, and the need to ensure they do not go waste, to finally making a point about how freedom for the slaves, shall save democracy from perishing in the US. No wonder this remains one of the most memorable speeches in the world.

https://sadashree.substack.com/p/gettysburg-address

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Particular_Tale_6023 t1_iwyrsg3 wrote

Fucked up part is living 10 mins from Gettysburg and having neighbors flying confederate flags.

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HorstC t1_iwzkm0d wrote

One thing I could never understand about Pennsylvania. I guess you can have racist idiots anywhere. Sad because it's such a lovely place, you'd think that people would want prosperity and success for everyone.

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Particular_Tale_6023 t1_iwzodm6 wrote

It is insulting. Seriously. One of my personal favorites (sarcasm btw) is there is a historical marker marking the location of Union Army battle lines for a battle near Gettysburg (hanover over next town over) and a few houses down from that Historical marker MARKING THE LOCATION OF UNION TROOPS is a house with a Confederate Flag hanging on the porch and also in the windows. That.. truly disturbs, disgusts and bothers me.

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HorstC t1_iwzugtk wrote

I don't get to rural Pennsylvania as much as I used to but there were a lot of good old boys with the confederate flag in the back window of their truck or on the tailgate as a sticker. All you can do is shake your head and feel sorry for them. They're ignorant and they are very happy to remain ignorant. Nothing we say or do will ever change their minds. I used to get mad but there's no point any more, they've chosen to be the way they are. We just have to lives our lives as best we can.

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Ihaveaboot t1_iwy0qff wrote

Are you a person? Love the post, but it appears you are a bot posting every 30 seconds across all of reddit

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AntaresBounder t1_iwytsox wrote

Bot trying to get readers and paying subscribers for a substack. Looks like recycled content run through a translator.

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tehmlem t1_ix18kql wrote

Fucking substack took over where AM radio left over with my dad. At least when it was AM radio his bullshit could be fact checked without paying some right wing scumbag to read their shitty blog.

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