If you've ever been to an international sporting event and heard the deafening "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" chants, you understand the power of patriotism.
And so did Lincoln.
Patriotism was especially powerful during the Civil War, which pitted brother against brother. Allegiance to one's country became the strongest bond of all. So President Lincoln didn't shy away from a bit of patriotic zeal in the Gettysburg Address.
He glossed over some of the more problematic aspects of American society in favor of a depiction of the United States as a nation of the people based on principles such as equality. While this was truer at the end of the Civil War than before it, there was still a lot of growing to do.
Questions About Patriotism
- Patriotism is a hallmark of presidential addresses. What are some other examples of presidents appealing to the virtue of patriotism?
- Lincoln's reference to the Founding Fathers is key to establishing the legitimacy of his cause. How do you think they would feel about the Civil War?
- People can be very attached to the places they call home. In fact, this was why Robert E. Lee chose to stick with Virginia and the Confederacy despite his reservations about secession. Can you think of some possible negative aspects of patriotism?
Chew on This
Patriotism is a powerful but dangerous tool in any speaker's arsenal. Defining oneself by this kind of identity inevitably turns into an "us versus them" mentality that can be hard to overcome. These strongly held beliefs are partly why Reconstruction was such a difficult process.
When push comes to shove, it seems that loyalty to one's country can be the first thing to go. One need only ask Benedict Arnold to see how much patriotism can be worth. So while it appeals to some, it's far from the strongest of bonds.