Gettysberg Address Vs. The Emancipation Proclmation

Steve Sheridan

Mr. Vingo

American History

17 December 2006

Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address similarities

The Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address are two for the most controversial speeches/ documents in United States History. These speeches were both made in the civil war area and have many of the same ideas and points inside of them. The 3 biggest similarities of these 2 speeches are, both of these speeches have lead to Abraham Lincoln leaving a legacy behind as one of the best presidents in US history, they both addressed the soldiers of Union armies, and they both were making a point of abolishing slavery and making a stronger Union. All these things together are significant similarities between the two speeches.

The first reason why these speeches are so alike is that they have lead to Abraham Lincoln leaving a legacy behind as one of the best presidents in US history. The timing of the papers is important because the Emancipation Proclamation was given right after the Unions win at Antietam. This showed that Lincoln and North were on the offensive. The Gettysburg address also leaves a legacy for Lincoln because he trying to get across that as human beings we should treat others fairly,

and to show respect where respect is deserved. These points in his speeches show that he had a great mind, and was a very respectable guy. He wanted to the union to work and at the same time teach the people a lesson while he was succeeding.

My second similarity of these to speeches is they both addressed the soldiers of Union armies. In the Gettysburg address, he is saying that the Union soldiers were fighting for the right reasons. They were ultimately fight to keep the Union and secondly to abolish slavery. He is saying that these thousands of men gave their lives for the good of the country, and they will never see the outcome. It is a shame too because the final outcome has been fantastic and they gave their lives to make it