Question

In the opening sentence, Lincoln refers to the founding of the nation “fourscore and seven” - 87 - years earlier. Which of the following best explains Lincoln’s purpose in this opening?

Answer 1

Answer: b. He wanted to remind people about what the nation’s founding ideals were.

Explanation:

This question relates to the "Gettysburg Address" which was one of the most popular speeches given by President Lincoln. He gave it at the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Gettysburg cemetery for Union soldiers.

President Lincoln began by referencing the founding of the nation because he wanted to encourage the Union that the fight they were in was a just one by reminding them of the nation's founding principles which called for liberty and freedom for all men and that in fighting for the end of slavery, they were merely following those ideals.