Why are Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” considered seminal documents?

Question

What was Lincoln’s purpose in writing the “Gettysburg Address”?



What was MLK’s purpose in writing his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?

What theme did you see in Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”?

What theme did you see in MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?

What theme do both of these works share?

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood on a dais in a corner of the newly created national cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to give a commemoration speech to honor the 7,100 bodies of soldiers newly interred there. The previous July, Gettysburg had been the site of a ferocious battle between the Union and Confederate armies that resulted in more than 45,000 casualties. Although the war would continue for another eighteen months, the battle at Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil War. After northern forces rebuffed the rebels, the Confederacy never again made headway into northern territory. Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” lasted less than three minutes, too short a period for photographers of the day to capture the moment for posterity. Yet in fewer than 300 hundred words, Lincoln redefined the Civil War as a grave campaign to ensure the American ideal of equality and justice for all Americans, including the enslaved. Lincoln’s speech is considered a seminal document in American history. One hundred years later, in April, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., a Black minister and civil rights leader, was jailed in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. He had been arrested for participating in a nonviolent protest against racial segregation in the American South. While in solitary confinement, King composed a letter to local white clergymen. The letter was a rebuttal of their criticism of anti-segregation activism as “unwise and untimely.” In his letter, King defends nonviolent protest of unfair laws. He voices his disappointment in his fellow clergy for failing to understand the urgency felt by Blacks living in the Jim Crow South. Today, you will read and compare Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

Answer 1

Seminal Documents: Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

Both Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" are considered seminal documents for their profound influence on American political thought and civil rights. They encapsulate critical moments in the struggle for equality and justice in the United States, reflecting the challenges and aspirations of their respective eras.

Lincoln’s Purpose in the "Gettysburg Address"

Lincoln's main purpose in writing the "Gettysburg Address" was to honor the fallen soldiers of the Battle of Gettysburg and to redefine the Civil War as not just a battle for the Union, but as a struggle for the principle of equality and a new birth of freedom for the nation. He aimed to inspire the living to continue fighting for a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” emphasizing that the sacrifice of those soldiers should galvanize the nation to ensure that their deaths were not in vain.

MLK’s Purpose in "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

MLK's purpose in writing his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was to articulate the necessity and urgency of civil disobedience in the fight against racial segregation and injustice. He aimed to address the criticisms of white clergymen who labeled the protests as “unwise and untimely.” Through his letter, King sought to explain why waiting for justice was no longer an option for African Americans living under oppressive laws and social conditions, insisting that justice delayed is justice denied.

Themes in Lincoln’s "Gettysburg Address"

A dominant theme in Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is the principle of equality. Lincoln emphasizes that the Civil War is a test of the nation’s dedication to the idea that all men are created equal. He calls for national unity and reconciling differences for the greater good of preserving democracy and human rights.

Themes in MLK’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

In MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," a key theme is the urgency of justice. King argues that the time for waiting is over and highlights the moral imperative of acting against injustice. He contrasts the laws of injustice with the laws of God, arguing that civil disobedience is not only justified but necessary in the struggle for civil rights.

Shared Themes in Both Works

Both Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" share the theme of justice. They both advocate for moral and social imperatives, underscoring the importance of equality and the necessity of fighting against injustice. Each leader underscores the sacrifices made for these ideals—Lincoln honors those who gave their lives in battle, while King highlights the sacrifices made by individuals fighting against systemic racism. Additionally, both works convey a message of hope and a call to action, urging society to live up to its foundational principles of freedom and equality for all.