Lincoln’s Documents

Emancipation Proclamation

President Lincoln changed the course of the Civil War with the Emancipation Proclamation. Begin this topic by downloading and reading the Emancipation Proclamation found on the Emancipation Proclamation Template. After you read the Emancipation Proclamation, analyze or explain the purpose of each passage. Fill out the template to help you organize your ideas.

The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the Civil War from a war against secession into a war to abolish slavery. It marked a change in Lincoln's leadership of the country. In addition to his original goal of preserving the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation created new goals of ending slavery and expanding citizenship. Building on an idea first used by a Union general at Fort Monroe, who had granted some escaped enslaved African Americans asylum by declaring them "contraband of war," the Proclamation would only cover slaves in the states that had seceded. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The Proclamation stated that if the Southern states did not cease their rebellion by January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect. In this interactivity, you will explore the Emancipation Proclamation. Click the player button to begin.

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The Gettysburg Address

The battle of Gettysburg was the most decisive battle in the Civil War. The three day battle claimed over 23,000 Union soldiers and was declared a victory by the Union. On November 19, 1863, a ceremony was held to dedicate a Union cemetery on the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. President Lincoln was invited to offer the opening address at the ceremony. Contrary to the belief of most Southerners, Lincoln felt the states needed to reamin unifed as "one nation"; and this short, powerful address reiterated this point. Download and read the Gettysburg Address found on the Gettysburg Address Template. After you read the Gettysburg Address, analyze or explain the purpose of the selected passages. Fill out the template to help you organize your ideas.

President Lincoln carefully prepared his speeches in advance. He did not quickly write a speech while on a train to Gettysburg. Lincoln created a first draft, revised it, and produced a second draft. The Gettysburg Address is one of the most important speeches in American history. Lincoln was mistaken that, “the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” The speech has lived on for over 150 years. In this interactivity, explore the Gettysburg Address. Click the player button to begin.

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Lincoln's Documents Review

Now that you have explored the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, complete this activity to check your knowledge. In this non-graded activity, read each statement and select the correct response. Click the player button to get started.