Comparisons of Abraham Lincoln Speeches
Created by Angela Orr, Graduate Assistant
Purpose: Students will identify common themes among the speeches.
Social Studies Standards: 8.76: Describe Lincoln’s presidency and his significant writings and
speeches including his House Divided speech in 1858, Gettysburg Address in 1863,
Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and inaugural addresses in 1861 and 1865.
Prior Knowledge: Students will have to read/discuss Lincoln’s House Divided, Gettysburg
Address, and First Inaugural Speeches. These speeches can be found on the following links:
Lincoln’s House Divided Speech:
https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/housedivided.htm
Gettysburg Address:
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?doc=36&page=transcript
First Inaugural Speech:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/lincoln1.asp
Activity Created by Angela Orr, Graduate Assistant
Directions: Pick one of the following questions to answer.
When writing speeches President Lincoln understood the use of emotions in appealing to his
audience. Provide examples of such instances from the speeches above.
1.
After reading Lincoln’s House divided speech, and both inaugural addresses what
changes in his view on slavery did you notice? Did his view stay the same? Was there a shift in
language, and tone?
2.
In both the Gettysburg Address, and his first Inaugural speech Lincoln recalls early
America when most people were united in their fight for independence. What would he use
this specific imagery? How would it help the nation as they are engaged in a Civil War?