In looking at the Civil War, Lincoln played a role. He won the election of 1860. He declared that the South seceding from the union was illegal. He did not want the Union divided. As the President it was his job to protect the Union, so he decided to fight rather than to let the Southern states withdraw. His decision to fight was not towards his feelings about slavery. With these intentions he influenced the war by deciding to fight the South. His decision was not only based on the matter of his position, but on his personal character and personality. It is remarkable how he rather fight than to destroy the Union. His single minded sense of …show more content…
In Lincoln’s first inauguration he wanted the seven rebellious states which had already seceded to rejoin the nation. In his speech he pledged not to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it existed. This was the beginning of the war when Lincoln forced confederate control with his decision to take food and supplies to Fort Sumter. The Southerners turned down the supplies and then cannons began firing on the fort. As a result this caused the Federal defenders to surrender. Lincoln had failed to reinforce the fort. His choice to bombard the fort did not take in consideration the best interest of how successful he would be on the battlefield even though no one was injured he struggled to find capable generals for his