Question

Why does Lincoln use the phrase 'a new birth' in this passage?

1) To give sympathy to the people who lost loved ones in the war
2) To establish his credibility as the father of the United States
3) To provide evidence that the United States will continue to grow
4) To inspire the audience to feel a sense of hope about the future

Answer 1

Lincoln used the phrase 'a new birth of freedom' in the Gettysburg Address to suggest the Civil War was a chance to fulfill America's promise of liberty and equality, serving to inspire hope for a nation in renewal, extending true freedom and emphasizing democratic governance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Abraham Lincoln used the phrase 'a new birth of freedom' during the Gettysburg Address to communicate the idea that the Civil War was an opportunity to fulfill the promise of liberty and equality upon which the nation was founded. This was a chance for the United States to reinvent itself and live up to its ideals; it was not only meant to reunite the nation after the Civil War but also to extend true freedom to the formerly enslaved.

The phrase 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' emphasizes the democratic principles of the United States and the belief that the government exists to serve its citizens, and should be controlled by them, rather than being a distant or elite power.

The student's question focuses on why Lincoln used the term 'a new birth' in this passage. The most suitable choice is 4) To inspire the audience to feel a sense of hope about the future. The expression was intended to evoke a sense of renewal and optimism at a time when the nation was fractured and in need of healing. 'A new birth of freedom' was about the transformation and ongoing improvement of the nation, emphasizing the ideals of liberty and democracy.