Answer to Question #111884 in History for Savanah Riker

Question

Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address was said to be one of the most "terribly profound and terribly extraordinary" political speeches in American History. How does the speech reflect Lincoln's intent for dealing with the South when the was over?

Answer 1

In his second inaugural address, Lincoln insisted on mutual forgiveness and the need for the North and South to coexists. He emphasized that the strength of a nation lies in its capacity for charity. He insisted that the war was punishment for the sin of slavery, an act that both the North and the South were complicit. He rejected the southern defense on slavery and insisted on the need for national unity.