Final answer:
According to Oakes, Abraham Lincoln gave in to the racial prejudices of Northern voters to protect white workers from the threat of free blacks taking their jobs.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Oakes, Abraham Lincoln gave in to the racial prejudices of Northern voters in order to protect white workers from the threat of free blacks taking their jobs. This decision was driven by Lincoln's political strategy to win the support of Northern voters and secure his re-election. In a time when racial tensions were high, Lincoln made compromises in order to maintain his position and advance his anti-slavery message.
Learn more about Abraham Lincoln's response to racial prejudices of Northern voters