“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could do 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 August 22, 1862
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Based on the quote, what is Lincoln’s primary goal?
(1 point)
Responses
freeing the slaves
freeing the slaves
punishing the South
punishing the South
preserving the Union
preserving the Union
not addressing slavery
preserving the Union
Based on the quote, Lincoln's primary goal is preserving the Union.
To determine Lincoln's primary goal based on the quote, we need to analyze the statement. In the quote, Lincoln states, "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could do 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."
From this statement, we can infer that Lincoln's primary goal is to preserve the Union. He prioritizes saving the Union above all else, considering various scenarios regarding slavery as options. Lincoln is willing to consider different approaches to slavery, whether it involves freeing all slaves, freeing some and leaving others enslaved, or not addressing slavery at all, as long as it helps in preserving the Union.
Therefore, the correct response is: preserving the Union.