Final answer:
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is important for its concise expression of American ideals and the redefinition of the Civil War's purpose that emphasizes equality and democracy. Women and African Americans contributed notably to the war effort, serving as nurses, spies, soldiers, and in the United States Colored Troops.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Gettysburg Address delivered by Abraham Lincoln is heralded as one of the most significant speeches in American history, due to its powerful message and enduring principles. One of the enduring qualities of the Gettysburg Address is its succinct yet profound articulation of the values that the battle of Gettysburg represented: sacrifice, liberty, and the dedication to the ideal that all men are created equal. Another aspect that adds to its importance is Lincoln's vision of a "government of the people, by the people, for the people," which redefined the purpose of the Civil War and became a central tenet of American democracy.
Women and African Americans played crucial roles during the Civil War, though often overlooked in historical narratives. Women served as nurses, spies, and even as soldiers in some extraordinary cases, while African Americans significantly contributed to the Union war effort, with many serving valiantly in the United States Colored Troops after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.