The Gettysburg Address and the Civil War are intrinsically linked as pivotal elements of American history that reflect the themes of unity, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom. The Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a significant conflict rooted in issues such as slavery, states' rights, and regional tensions. The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, was a response to the brutal realities of the war, particularly following the Battle of Gettysburg, which was one of the bloodiest battles and a turning point in the war.
In this context, the Address serves as a profound reminder of the ideals for which the Union was fighting—a "new birth of freedom" that would ensure that government of the people, by the people, and for the people would not perish from the earth. This clearly reflects the larger theme of the Civil War: the fight to preserve the Union and address the moral injustices of slavery. Therefore, the connection is not merely causal or sequential; rather, the Gettysburg Address encapsulates the overarching themes of the Civil War, depicting the shared sacrifices and the hope for a united nation rooted in the principles of democracy and equality.