Barack Obama’s A More Perfect Union

Barack Obama’s A More Perfect Union
Question 1
President Abraham Lincoln gave his second inauguration address on March 4, 1865. The first value President Lincoln’s speech focused on was unity and peace and the end of the Civil war (Hansen 226; Solomon 33-34). He stated that while he was giving his first inaugural speech, some insurgents from the South hoped to end the Union of the States by war, while his government had to protect the Union by war (Solomon 33). The second value was the end of slavery. Lincoln noted that the self-interests of the South were promoted by slavery, while the North hoped to end slavery and prevent its growth (Solomon 34-35). The final value was justice. President Lincoln emphasized that through the sword, the injustices of those who lashed the enslaved shall be punished (Solomon 35; Williams 5).
Question 2
President Lincoln insists that it was the South that began the war, labelling them as insurgents, and it was the responsibility of the North, through the government, to receive the war (Hansen 228). The position is that the North is protecting itself from the South and thus holds the righteous position (Hansen 234). President Lincoln also uses multiple quotes from the bible and references God to amplify the wrongdoings of the South and emphasize the North’s good intentions (Hansen 235). President Lincoln also stresses that the fight is necessary for his and the Union’s prosperity (Hansen 231).
Question 3
In Philadelphia, Barack Obama gave his address on March 18, 2008 (Rowland and Jones, 125). In his speech, he promoted the value of unity and Union. He states that despite the differences of the people in the United States of America, racial, economic, or location, they all have one goal. They all aim for the prosperity of their children and their children's children. He also talks about racism that began during the age of slavery and the Civil War (Terrill 367, 370). He states that his parents come from different backgrounds. His father is Black and hailed from Kenya, while his mother is White and hailed from Kansas. He also adds that his wife Michelle Obama carries the genetics of an enslaved person and an enslaver. Obama also highlights the need to end misinformation and radicalization from his supporters, opponents, and everyone else (Terrill 365). He rebukes the comments of his pastor Jeremiah Wright, stating that they were hurtful and provoking both ...