Lincoln says No

What actually happened? Lincoln did not acknowledge the existence of the Confederate States of America. From his view, they were United States citizens in rebellion. But his decision did not hinge on the issue of slavery, but rather the need to preserve the only democracy on the face of the planet at the time. He was committed to “preserving the UNION." His point was that in a democracy, everyone should be required to live with the vote of the majority until the next election. If every time there is an election, the losers break off and form another country, democracy cannot work. Lincoln's concluding words at Gettysburg two years later explain his goal: "so that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Did you make the same decision? Was it for the same reason? Did your decision have to do with slavery? Did you think Lincoln did it out of a power grab? Did you think Lincoln did it to keep the Southern resources? Do you understand his motive to preserve democracy on the planet?

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