Question

*Please Help!* (25 POINTS!)

What is the main idea of this excerpt of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address?
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war. All dreaded it — all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war — seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.
A. Both the Union and the Confederacy wanted to destroy their enemy.
B. Both the Union and the Confederacy were responsible for the Civil War.
C. Both the Union and the Confederacy desired total authority by eliminating the other.
D. Both the Union and the Confederacy suffered huge economic losses due to the Civil War.
E. Both the Union and the Confederacy had stockpiled deadly weapons for the Civil War.

Answer 1

B. Both the Union and the Confederacy were responsible for the Civil War.

Answer 2

B. Both the Union and the Confederacy were responsible for the Civil War.

Step-by-step explanation:

The text explains how the Union was determined to save their party without having to go to war, however, the other part stills wanted to destroy the union, as well without the war. After all, the text explains how both parties didn't want to go to war but still wanted to win, and implies that they are both guilty because one party declared war and the other one accepted it and went through with it.