Gettysburg Address Why Gettysburg and why now? Lincoln delivers his address on November 19, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, July Bloodiest battle in the Civil War Roughly 50,000 casualties Basing his speech on the idea most clearly expressed in the Declaration of Independence All men are created equal United States is born on that belief in human equality. All Men are Created Equal Starts as a belief in 1776 By 1860 the statement is an opinion that needs to be proved. Most founding fathers see slavery as a necessary evil. Cotton is King: Southerners defend black slavery as a positive good. Reinforces the economic system in place based on cotton. Outset of the Civil War Lincoln prosecutes the war only to preserve the Union. Not until 1863 and the war measure the Emancipation Proclamation do war measures change. Emancipation is the backdrop for the Gettysburg Address. Gettysburg Address Never mentions slavery or union Does mention nation and new birth of freedom Also has concern for self-government Concerned that a government must be too strong to guarantee liberties or too weak to maintain itself The Response Most northern Democratic newspapers ignored the address or are critical of it. Do not take his assertion for a new birth of freedom serious.