Can you please...help...give me more to the answer you gave me earlier today..Was there any course of action that Abraham Lincoln and his administration could have persued that might have prevented the outbreak of war between the North and the Confederacy ? Having no luck on this question, have been on all the civil war sites there is

I found the best sites I could about the possible prevention of the Civil War. I assume you've read them all thoroughly.

Now, take the information you have and develop it into your essay.

Remember, my two first points were that the Union could have let the South secede or it could have permitted slavery in the new states and territories.

It's confusing when you switch user names. Please use just one user name in this forum.

Thank You so much Sue..for your prompt answers..I will again review your suggested sites to help me.

You're welcome, Joanne.

Certainly! The question you're asking is about whether Abraham Lincoln and his administration could have taken any actions that might have prevented the outbreak of the Civil War between the Northern states (known as the Union) and the Southern states (known as the Confederacy). Let's discuss some possible courses of action that they could have pursued:

1. Compromise and negotiation: One potential course of action that Lincoln could have pursued was to engage in more compromise and negotiation with Southern states. The secession crisis began when several Southern states seceded from the Union following Lincoln's election, feeling that his anti-slavery stance threatened their way of life. Lincoln could have attempted to address their concerns and find common ground through diplomacy and concessions. An example of this is the Crittenden Compromise, a series of proposed amendments to the Constitution aimed at preserving the Union by protecting slaveholding rights. However, this compromise failed to gain enough support.

2. Enforcing existing laws: Lincoln could have chosen to strictly enforce existing laws, particularly regarding fugitive slaves. By doing so, he might have reassured Southern states worried about the future of slavery. However, Southern states had already begun enacting legislation voiding federal laws related to fugitive slaves, making enforcement difficult.

3. Pursuing de-escalation: Lincoln could have attempted to de-escalate tensions by softening his rhetoric and reassuring Southern states that he did not plan to interfere with slavery where it already existed, but was solely focusing on preventing its expansion. This approach might have helped to alleviate some fears and defuse the situation.

4. Economic incentives: Another option would have been for Lincoln's administration to offer economic incentives or subsidies to the Confederate states to encourage them to remain in the Union. This could have included financial assistance, protection of their economic interests, or other concessions.

5. Delaying military action: Lincoln's decision to resupply Fort Sumter in April 1861 played a significant role in triggering the start of the war. If Lincoln had chosen to delay or cancel the resupply mission, it might have bought more time for diplomatic efforts or given moderates in the South a chance to gain influence.

It's important to note that the outbreak of the Civil War was a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by a range of historical, cultural, economic, and political factors. Consequently, it is difficult to determine with certainty whether any of these actions would have definitively prevented the war. However, exploring these potential courses of action can help us better understand the context and possibilities that existed during that time period.