"A House Divided" Speech by Abraham Lincoln

"A House Divided" Speech by Abraham Lincoln

Springfield, Illinois

June 16, 1858

By Katie Peters

United States during 1858

Video

Brief Background

Word Cloud

• The speech was delivered at the old state capital of Springfield, Illinois
• It was Lincoln's acceptance speech for being nominated by Illinois to be the Republican candidate running against Stephen Douglas for the U.S. Senate

The word cloud contains important key words found in the speech. It basically sums up the main key points of the speech, such as with the words, “Now” and “Slavery” and “Care,” since these are major topics of conversation in the speech.

Ten Key Words

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/abraham-lincoln/videos/gilder-lehrman-house-divided

Define TEN KEY WORDS from the text.

1. Slavery- The condition of a slave; bondage; a state of subjection like that of a slave.

2. Augmented- To make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase.

3. Endure- To hold out against; sustain without impairment or yielding; undergo.

4. Divided- Separated; disunited.

5. Ultimate Extinction- Ending a process or series; the act of extinguishing.

6. Senator Stephen Douglas- Leader of the Democratic party; ran against Lincoln; reelected senator from Illinois in 1858 after a series of debates with Abraham Lincoln, who defeated him in the presidential race two years later.

7. Principle- A accepted or professed rule of action or conduct.

8. Entrusted- To charge or invest with a trust or responsibility.

9. Resistance- The act or power of resisting, opposing, or withstanding.

10. Brave- Possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

Works Cited

http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/lincoln/

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/abraham-lincoln/videos/gilder-lehrman-house-divided

Purpose and Tone

Quotes from the Speech

Lincoln's purpose for writing this speech was to be an example of courage and show the American citizens that they need to stand up to this travesty and end slavery with him. Also, this was a "campaign speech" in a sense, which is why Lincoln talked about Douglas and his views, in this speech. This speech has a tone of urgency and almost plea, due to the fact that Lincoln is trying so hard to reach out to the Americans to aid him in fighting for the abolitionist cause. There is also a hopeful tone in this speech, found in parts such as the last line of the speech. Lincoln had hope for the future of America, and that slavery would eventually come to an end.

• "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
• "This government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free."
• "A living dog is better than a dead lion."
• "We shall not fail-- if we stand firm, we shall not fail."