Did Lincoln really care about slavery?

Question

In my history book there's even a quote saying that if he can bring the south back into the union without freeing a single slave he would most certaintly do it.

The reason for the civil war had little to do with slavery...

Answer 1

The civil war had many different reasons and slavery was one of the issues.

Abe Lincoln at first didn't care much about slavery He just wanted to join the country back together. Then he saw the war finally letting loose and became a big supporter of the north and anti-slavery.

Answer 2

The war was not fought over slavery. The war was fought because the south seceded. Emancipating the slaves, which wasn't done for a couple of years after the war started, was done in order to weaken the south and win the war. Keep in mind that the south did not recognize any proclamations from the Union, so not muched changed in the south.

But, the question of "did Lincoln really care about slavery" is a completely different one. The new Republican party was considered a progressive political party, who did believe slavery was not good for the nation, because it wasn't socially viable. Morality was also a consideration. Lincoln, being a representative from Illinois which was a free state, agreed with this thinking.

But his personal views on black people, for instance, were contemporary with era.

Answer 3

I think Lincoln cared about slavery and was against it. But slavery was not a major factor in the civil war, which wasn't even a civil war, it was not named properly. A civil war is one in which two or more parties are fighting for control of a nation. This was all about succession. Lincoln knew it would be a bad thing to have two seperate countries, instead of one United States.
But Lincoln was a man of high morals and all I read was that he was happy to end slavery. I believe that. Did Lincoln own slaves, no.

Answer 4

It seems that Lincoln was the John Kerry of the 1800's, as his sentiments regarding slavery changed based on his audience:

"What I would most desire would be the separation of the white and black races."

— Spoken at Springfield, Illinois on July 17th, 1858; from ABRAHAM LINCOLN: COMPLETE WORKS, 1894, Vol. 1, page 273

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. 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; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.." ---Abraham Lincoln

"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VIII, "Speech to One Hundred Fortieth Indiana Regiment" (March 17, 1865), p. 361.

"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races - that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the ***** should be denied everything." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume III, "Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas at Charleston, Illinois" (September 18, 1858), pp. 145-146.

Answer 5

It had almost nothing to do with slavery. It is a misconception that either side really cared that much about it. One thing lincoln did gain, is more soldiers, because many free blacks enlisted to fight against the south. The war was mostly fought because the south wished to seperate from the north and become its own country.

Answer 6

Lincoln was probably the single worst president we ever had. His Civil War killed more Americans than in any war before or since. He illegally imprisoned hundreds of thousands of northern citizens for speaking out against him. Others he had executed or deported to other nations. More Americans died at Gettysburg, one battle, than were killed in the entire Vietnam War. Freeing the slaves was a political move meant to keep the British and French from siding with the south. Hell his wife owned slaves. Don’t get me wrong slavery was wrong but he was no hero.

Answer 7

No he did not really care about slavery, He was more concerned about saving the Union, and if he could have done that without freeing the slaves Lincoln would not have staggered at it...go read a book......FORCED INTO GLORY.

Answer 8

YES!!! Actually the Civil War was about State's Rights.

Answer 9

lastknight 23 said it right! The real here of the civil war was General, Robert E. Lee! Lincoln offered him the helms of the army ,he refused staying true to his ideals! He was also a educator and a noble man , may his soul rest in peace.

Answer 10

Civil War was about preserving the Union. He even wanted to ship them (the slaves) back to Africa (Liberia).