65.1k views
1 vote
In President Lincoln's second inaugural address, how were circumstances different from when Lincoln gave the first address?

A. For the first address, immigration was the biggest issue.
B. For the second address, there was hope of the war ending.
C. For the first address, Lincoln didn't have much to report.
D. For the second address, slavery was no longer an issue.

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

President Lincoln's first inaugural address focused on calming southern fears about interfering with slavery and preserving the Union, whereas his second address shifted to hope for the impending end of the Civil War and the nation's obligation to the freed slaves.

Step-by-step explanation:

Between President Abraham Lincoln's first and second inaugural addresses, significant changes occurred due to the ongoing Civil War. In his first address, Lincoln tried to appease the South by assuring he would not interfere with slavery where it already existed and emphasized the permanence of the Union. He repudiated secession and spoke of reconciliation. By the time of his second inaugural address, the context had shifted with the war's end seeming imminent, and a new emphasis was given to the nation's obligation to slaves and the process of reconciliation.

The correct answer is B. For the second address, there was hope of the war ending due to developments like the substantial gains by Union forces.

User Captcoma
by
7.9k points