Final answer:
Northerners had varied views on the Civil War, with some seeing it as a chance to punish the South, others viewing it as a struggle to preserve the Union, and some seeing it as an opportunity to emancipate slaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once the Civil War began, the views of northerners varied. For some, the war was seen as a chance to punish the South after decades of political rivalry, as they believed that the conflict was a result of the South's desire to protect and expand slavery. Others saw it as a struggle to preserve the Union and maintain the United States as one nation, with the belief that secession was unconstitutional and needed to be countered by military force. While there were those who viewed the war as an ideal time to emancipate slaves in the Union-loyal border states, Lincoln initially did not prioritize abolition and instead focused on preserving the Union.