There were many events leading up to the Gettysburg Address, including the states seceding. In the 1860 election, Abraham Lincoln ran for the Republicans and won. Many people thought he was an abolitionist. Between November 1860 and April 1861, many states began to secede. These states were South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. The Southern states formed their own government called the Confederate States of America, or in other words CSA. The South began to seize federal property. On April 12, 1861, the Confederate Army was the first to resist Ft. Sumpter. They are also the first to shoot. On April 15, 1861, Abraham Lincoln became president. By the end of May, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina had joined the Confederacy. There were very few states that remained loyal to the Union. These states were Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia. These five states were called “border” states. The American Civil War began on Friday, April 12, 1861. It was started due to a disagreement between the Northern and Southern states over slavery. The Civil War was one of the bloodiest conflicts ever, resulting in the deaths of over 600,000 soldiers. In those days, slavery was a big problem and was the main source of wealth for the South. The civil war caused the death and bereavement of many people. President Abraham Lincoln, who delivered the Gettysburg Address, wanted this to end. Another event that precedes the Gettysburg Address is the Battle of Bull Run. It was the first major battle that occurred during the war. This occurred on July 21, 1861. The North was very badly defeated in this battle. The Union ends up falling back on a bridge spanning Antietam C......middle of paper......day. It is one of the best known pieces of history. When you think of President Abraham Lincoln you think of the Gettysburg Address. Even though it may have been very short, it was very well written. May Lincoln's honest words live on. In my opinion, I think the Gettysburg Address is still very relevant today. As a white American citizen with a biracial younger sister, this makes me extremely grateful. I believe everyone should have the right to be equal, just like President Lincoln did. If it hadn't been for the Gettysburg Address, I might not have the family I have today, and that would be a real shame. Luckily, my sister can live in peace and be equal to everyone else in some extraordinary moments in history. The Gettysburg Address was the beginning of something new and decidedly great. I will forever be grateful for President Abraham Lincoln's famous speech.