Final answer:
Lincoln assigned responsibility for the Civil War to the broader conflict over preserving the Union and addressing the moral and political challenges posed by slavery. He was initially cautious in his approach to slavery, focusing on unity and the gradual end of the institution. The secession of Southern states and subsequent war efforts cannot be separated from the central issue of slavery, which became a defining aspect of the conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abraham Lincoln's viewpoint on the causes of the Civil War was multifaceted, but in his primary public addresses, he focused on the preservation of the Union rather than attributing blame solely to slavery. However, Lincoln viewed slavery as a moral evil and hoped for its eventual end, even if he did not initially advocate for immediate abolition. The secession of Southern states following Lincoln's election as president and their formation of the Confederate States of America, dedicated to the preservation and expansion of slavery, exacerbated the tension between North and South. Once the war began, the issue of slavery became inseparably linked to the war's purposes, especially after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which transformed it into a war for abolition as well as union preservation. Throughout the conflict, Lincoln carefully navigated the delicate political landscape, ensuring that his policies would not alienate key constituencies or destabilize the nation further.