In the gettysburg address, abraham lincoln stated we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. president lincoln's primary concern during the civil war was a. the expansion of the united states into mexico b. the preservation of the united states and its democratic system c. increasing his power in a time of crisis d. all out victory over the south