In the lesson, you explored the process of critically reading primary documents to learn about U. S. history. Think about the exercises in the lesson where you were asked to find the meaning in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution. Use this knowledge to analyze a historical document and complete the written assignment below. Download this template to your computer to record your answers. When finished, you will attach this file to the assessment.

Part 1
Read the Gettysburg Address. Highlight or underline words and phrases that you feel are important to understanding the document. In the spaces provided, explain how your selections help you understand the meaning and purpose of each paragraph.

Part 2
Answer the question below in at least five sentences, using specific evidence from the text.

What was Lincoln's purpose in writing the Gettysburg Address?

Example—Excerpt from the Emancipation Proclamation
That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom…

This frees only the slaves in the Confederacy. It makes no mention of slaves in the border states

The military willl enforce that slaves are freed. But how? We're already at war.

…And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service…

Able-bodied freed slaves are welcomed into the Union army. This is smart…even more soldiers fighting for the North.