Question

Base your answer to the question on the quotation below and on your knowledge of social studies.

In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow
countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous
issue of civil war. The government will not assail
you. You can have no conflict without being
yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath
registered in Heaven to destroy the government,
while / shall have the most solemn one to
"preserve, protect, and defend it."
When President Lincoln made this speech, which step toward civil war had already taken place?
1
President Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address,
March 4, 1861
The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.
2. Union troops had invaded several Southern states.
4
3. General Robert E. Lee had led an attack on Gettysburg, Pennsy lvania.
Several Southern states had seceded from the Union.

Answer 1

Several Southern states had seceded from the Union before President Lincoln made this speech.

Step-by-step explanation:

When President Lincoln made this speech, several Southern states had seceded from the Union. This is evidenced by Lincoln's reference to his dissatisfied fellow countrymen who had no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government. This step toward civil war had already taken place before President Lincoln made this speech.

Learn more about Causes of Civil War