Good Example Of Abraham Lincoln And The Perception Of Liberty And Equality Research Paper

Abraham Lincoln is best known as the president who presided over the civil war and who emancipated the slaves, but his views of liberty and equality were ground breaking, and consisted of much more than just ending slavery. Abraham Lincoln wrote two documents that specifically spoke to his beliefs on life, liberty, and freedom, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg address. A carefully analysis of these works reveals that Lincoln saw the end of slavery as a way to strengthen the nation, and as the first step toward not only freedom, but civil liberty and equal rights.
According to Abraham Lincoln all men were “created equal,” and as such should have access to equal rights, and the opportunity to active pursue their personal aspirations (The Gettysburg Address 1). Fundamentally, he believed that liberty and equality were not only the foundation of every man’s freedom, but also the cornerstones of the forefather’s vision for the nation. From his perception, the nation needed to remain dedicated to these principles, regardless of the economic or social implications.
He placed great emphasis on the unification of the nation. It is interesting to consider that the Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free slaves in all states, but only in the states which had ceded from the union. Above and beyond granting liberty, its purpose was to return the union to its former state, but putting an end to the “rebellion” (1). This was because he knew that the nation was stronger as a whole, than divided.
That said, Lincoln’s personal interest in both civil liberties and civil rights are visible in the language used to craft the Gettysburg address and the Emancipation proclamation. In the Gettysburg address, Lincoln says “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. (1). He believed that, not only were all men created equal, but that they were destined to be free, and to help govern, and to be served by those who governed. This inherently includes rights related to government activity, including holding office, and voting, which were not granted to free black men for generations to come. Similarly, in the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln wrote that newly freed blacks could “be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.” Blacks had formerly been denied the right to serve, formally, as members of the armed forces, so this represented the first official granting of civil rights. Whereas this may seem small by today’s standards, it set a very important precedent.
Abraham Lincoln served this nation when it was at its most divisive moment in history, never before, and never again has the country been torn apart but such vastly conflicting principals, ideas, and goals. And yet, under Lincoln’s direction, the company ultimately found its way to stay unified in a season of major change, which saw a nation of men freed, and given their first taste of liberty. During this time, Abraham Lincoln wrote two significant documents that demonstrated his views of liberty and equality, and which represented the first efforts at offering civil liberties to a repressed class, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg address. A carefully analysis of these works reveals that Lincoln saw the end of slavery as a way to strengthen the nation, and as the first step toward not only freedom, but civil liberty and equal rights.

Works Cited:

Linclon, Abraham. "Emancipation Proclimation." Featured Articles.  National Archive and Records Administration, n.d. Web. 
“The Gettysburg Address” Featured Articles.  National Archive and Records Administration, n.d. Web.