Advanced Placement-Style United States History
  Question of the Day--Answer and Explanation



Abraham Lincoln in 1865, showing the
wear of a wartime presidency
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Question 985:

Which of the following statements was made by President Lincoln during his Second Inaugural Address?

    (A)    "Fourscore and seven years ago…"
    (B)    "A house divided against itself cannot stand"
    (C)    "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
    (D)    "With malice towards none, with charity towards all."
    (E)    "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it."

Answer:

       (D)    "With malice towards none, with charity towards all."
Explanation:

President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, perhaps his most moving speech, extended an olive branch to the soon-to-be-defeated Confederacy. Unfortunately for the South, his assassination prevented his spirit of compassion and forgiveness from being implemented in Reconstruction policies.
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