How Did Abraham Lincoln Prove that ‘Democracy’ is the Best Form of Government?
Gettysburg Address is a notable literary work by Abraham Lincoln. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Gettysburg Address.
Answer
How did Abraham Lincoln prove that ‘Democracy’ is the best form of Government in the Gettysburg Address?
Abraham Lincoln’s (1809-1865) Gettysburg Address is one of the most powerful speeches in American history. In just 271 words, he highlighted the strength and value of democracy. Through his speech, Lincoln proved that democracy is the best form of government because it is based on equality, freedom, and the participation of the people.
Context of Lincoln’s Speech: Lincoln gave this speech on November 19, 1863, during a ceremony to dedicate a cemetery for soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War (1861-1865). This battle fought in July 1863, was one of the deadliest of the American Civil War. Lincoln’s government, the Union, wanted to abolish the slavery system from the United States and won this decisive battle.
Democracy Values Equality: Lincoln began his speech by recalling the founding principles of the United States. He recalled the United States was built on the principles of freedom and equality. He says:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent,… and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Here, Lincoln reminds listeners that the nation was founded with the belief of democracy: that all people are born free and equal. Lincoln emphasized that democracy is a form of government that values equality. Democracy ensures fairness for everyone. Lincoln believed that without equality, a nation could not succeed.
Democracy Protects Freedom: Lincoln called the Civil War a test to see if the freedom of the nation’s citizens could survive. For him, freedom was the foundation of democracy. He believed that government should protect the people’s right to live freely and make their own choices. By fighting the Civil War, the Union was defending democracy and ensuring that liberty would not perish. This connection between democracy and freedom proves that democracy is the best form of government.
Democracy Requires Sacrifice and Responsibility: In the speech, Lincoln honored the soldiers who gave their lives for the cause of democracy. Lincoln reminded everyone that their duty was to continue the work left by the dead soldiers. He emphasized that a democratic nation requires sacrifice from its citizens to make the nation a better place for everyone.
Democracy Empowers the People: Lincoln’s most famous words from the speech perfectly summarize why democracy is superior. According to Lincoln, a democratic government is a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” In this system, power belongs to the people, not to a king or dictator. It allows citizens to make decisions about their country and ensures that their voices are heard.
Democracy Ensures a Better Future: Lincoln concluded his speech with hope for the future:
That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.
He believed that democracy was not just for the present but for future generations. Lincoln’s vision showed that democracy is essential for creating a just, free, and prosperous society.
In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln proved that democracy is the best form of government because it values equality, protects freedom, empowers people, and builds a brighter future. As he said, democracy must endure so that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”