Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America Topics for Discussion

Why were the audiences of 1863 willing to listen to difficult oratory for hours on end, although most of the people of this era were not well educated?

Contrast Lincoln's gentle attitude toward the South with Edward Everett's ideas that the South was aggressive and to blame for the entire war. Back up your views with quotes from both speeches.

What was the eighteenth century attitude toward death in battle? How did the idea of the "glory of war" change in this century? Do you think there would be big dedications of war monuments today?

Discuss the motifs of death, birth and life in the Gettysburg Address. How was the Gettysburg Address typical of the "culture of death" at that time?

What other American presidents have been called upon to justify wars? Compare their speeches with Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg.

Discuss the relationship between the ideals of the Declaration of...
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