After reading President Abraham Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address”, and President John F. Kennedy’s “Inaugural Address”, I had noticed a lot of similarities and differences between the meaning of the texts and their solutions to the problems of the United States. Lincoln’s address was more in regards to the civil war, while Kennedy’s was more about how will contribute in leading a powerful and peaceful nation. In Lincoln’s address he had stated that the main problems were about the civil war and how the United States constitution states that all men are created equal and him wanting to protect that notion and abolish slavery. He believed this when he stated, “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure” (Lincoln 324). Lincoln’s main goal is to preserve the union and what it stands for and if it failed then the United States was in great trouble. Kennedy’s main goal was different as opposed to Lincoln’s address mainly because Kennedy’s speech was him introducing himself to the nation and telling them to help their own country and to inspire other Americans to be strong and love their country. Kennedy stated this in his speech when he said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty” (Kennedy 463). Kennedy was ensuring the public that the American nation shall do anything to make it self a thriving force. In regards to Lincoln’s approach to solving the problems of the American people at the time has been solved for the most part. Lincoln was very intent on getting the issues resolved when he stated, “It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this” (Lincoln 324). Lincoln’s plan was to fight for the equality of every man because we are all created equal and that would include the African American slaves. The Union won the civil war and the African American slaves were free for the most part regarding the civil war. Kennedy had solved some American problem and strongly fought for the issues like he said he would when he stated, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger” (Kennedy 464). Kennedy was emphasizing the fact that him being elected right at the heart of  the cold war, he would be a great leader and lead the people through. Kennedy had helped resolved the Cuban missile crisis and helped the United States stray away from nuclear warfare and helped the American people realize the type of president he was.

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