The main document that interested me was Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which could be perceived as a major turning point in American history. The historic document redefined some of the fundamental principles that the American people held dear during that time period. These beliefs were rooted in the Declaration of Independence and were invoked again by Lincoln. These beliefs were those of freedom and independence meant for every man, including slaves. We are able to bear witness to the sense of exigency that Lincoln exacted from the American people as he sought to honor those who had sacrificed their lives participating in total war. One phrase that was the most convincing was when Lincoln said, “these dead shall not have died in vain, 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 disappear from the earth.” ”. Recognizing the gruesome reality behind the Civil War, Lincoln believed the time had come to ensure that such acts were never committed again and to make known how unacceptable total war is. Lincoln bases his argument on the basis that secession is illegal and shows his position by attempting to preserve the Union. President Lincoln's determination to preserve the Union caused him to overlook the urgency of freeing the slaves. In a broader sense, Lincoln sought to maintain the democracy that America was supposed to represent, yet neglected the struggles faced by slaves. Its aim was solely to reunite the country as it had been divided by differing opinions over the civil war. The Northern and Southern states were separated primarily over the question of whether the institution of slavery should be permitted or removed. Lincoln began to worry whether the nation created under the Declaration of the Equality of All Men would continue to keep those roots alive or, alternatively, whether democracy would be discredited as the legitimacy of the succession began to be questioned. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay During this time Lincoln claims what happened at Gettysburg “a new birth of freedom.” Many sacrifices were made during the war, and Lincoln feared a higher death rate. The Battle of Gettysburg had become the bloodiest battle ever fought in America. Therefore, the greatest hope surrounding the Gettysburg Address was to imagine a new destiny for the American people. The answer was no longer violence, but many began to put an end to it. The North aspired to unification, while the South aspired to independence. To achieve the desired reunification, the Union needed to occupy Confederate territory and defeat the Confederate Army. The Union became very frustrated with the Confederacy as they continually clashed with each other, which is why the Battle of Gettysburg initially took place. During this period, the expansion of slavery and the rise of slave states was a major concern. The ideology of self-government was being questioned as Americans were concerned about the nation's political climate. Many began to see this speech as an opportunity to right the wrongs our nation had suffered. It was seen as an opportunity to defend the beliefs that our founding fathers and countless soldiers had fought for. By referring to the word “nation” five times in his speech, Lincoln aims to draw everyone's attention to how vital it is.