Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address stated that the democratic government 'of the people, by the people, for the people' must not perish, underlining the necessity to preserve the Union and abolish slavery during the Civil War. Lincoln's 'new birth of freedom' referred to ending slavery and upholding the principles of liberty and equality, which he pursued through the Emancipation Proclamation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abraham Lincoln expressed in his Gettysburg Address that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." This iconic phrase emphasized the importance of preserving the Union and democratic governance during a period when the country was deeply divided by the Civil War. Lincoln believed this democratic form of government was under threat due to the secession of the Southern states and the conflict that followed.
When Lincoln spoke of a "new birth of freedom," he referred to the transformative potential of the Civil War, which could lead to the abolition of slavery and a strengthening of the nation's commitment to liberty and equality. Through the Emancipation Proclamation, he made a decisive move to cripple the Confederacy and push the nation towards ending slavery. He understood that freedom for the slaves would not only morally align with the nation's founding principles but also weaken the Confederate war effort and provide the Union with additional soldiers.
The preservation of the Union and the new birth of freedom were intertwined in preventing the perishing of a government 'of the people, by the people, for the people.' Lincoln's leadership and commitment to these principles were critical in guiding the nation through its most perilous period.