Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln practiced deception during his presidency by denying intentions to introduce the draft, appealing to Southern unionists when there were none, downplaying the importance of slavery, criticizing his own generals, and misleading the public about the ease of victory in the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
As president, Abraham Lincoln employed various deceptive tactics during the Civil War. Firstly, he routinely denied his intentions to introduce the draft, despite having plans for it. Secondly, he appealed to Southern unionists, fully aware that there were none. Lastly, Lincoln downplayed the importance of slavery in his war aims and emphasized the preservation of the Union, despite the underlying issue being slavery. He also publicly criticized and undercut his own generals to maintain control over military affairs. Additionally, he told the northern public that the Civil War could end in an easy victory, when in reality, it turned out to be a hard struggle.
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