HISET Social Studies Practice 2025 - Free HISET Social Studies Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, primarily served to honor the Union soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Gettysburg, while also reaffirming the national commitment to the principles for which they fought. In his speech, Lincoln emphasized the significance of the Civil War as a struggle not just for the preservation of the Union, but for the principles of freedom and equality. By framing the war in the context of a test of the nation’s commitment to its founding ideals, he inspired the living to continue the fight for a government "of the people, by the people, for the people." This message elevated the sacrifice of the soldiers, stressing that their deaths should not be in vain and reinforcing the purpose of the war as an effort to ensure a new birth of freedom in the nation. Such a focus on honoring the fallen and galvanizing support for the ongoing struggle encapsulated the essence of Lincoln’s address.