Zhang 2
Haiwei Zhang
Profess Dawn
America and World
03 October 2015
Answer to Two Questions on American Foundation
Do Abraham Lincoln’s speeches reflect greater concern for equality or unity?
Concerning the various speeches that Abraham Lincoln gave concerning American society
was critical for the solidarity of America that could have affected its development. He
emphasized on bringing to an end racism and slave trade, which had divided America. In
his speeches, it is noted that he talked of the unity of America and benefits it could have on
the country’s development. He was quoted saying words that signified unity where he
made claims such as “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the
right as God gives us to see the right …” from these statements. Unity prevailed in all his
speeches addressing the Americans (Martell).
Which is more fundamental to the thought of Thomas Paine: liberty or equality?
Thomas Paine had critical concerns about the future of America. Paine was persuasive on
the importance of liberty and equality in the American society. In his manuscripts titled
The Rights of Man and Common Sense he addressed more on the importance of liberty in
the American society as the source of growth in equality for all. Liberty of every person
irrespective of the gender or race was considered the central idea in his work. In addition,
he influenced greatly from his speech on the value of liberty that would guide the
Americans. In the formation of the government, the idea of liberty was central (Hayden
73).
Works Cited
Hayden, Tom. rish on the Inside: In Search of the Soul of Irish America. San Diego: Verso,
2003. Print.