Question

What does Lincoln say both sides had in common?

A. They both knew the war would be long.
B. They both read the Bible.
C. They both expected slaves to be freed.
D. They both elected Lincoln twice.

Answer 1

During the Civil War, both the North and the South saw themselves as fighting for liberty, but they had different interpretations of what that meant. Slavery was the main issue that drove them apart. Despite their differences, both sides expected the war to be short and each believed their side would win.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the Civil War, both the North and the South believed that they were fighting for liberty and the legacy of the American Revolution, but they had different interpretations of what that meant. Slavery was the main issue driving the two sides apart, with Northerners seeing a vast slave power conspiracy dominating national politics and Southerners seeing an influential abolitionist element trying to eliminate slavery.

Despite these differences, both sides shared the expectation that the war would be short and that their side would win. This is mentioned in Lincoln's second inaugural address, where he reflects on the surprising duration of the war and the shared religious practices of both the Union and the Confederacy, despite being engaged in a violent conflict. Both sides invoked divine support for their cause and searched for solace and justification in the scriptures, as was common in that era.