Final answer:
President Lincoln's perception of the Civil War was shaped by his evolving stance against slavery and his belief in justice and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Lincoln's perception of the Civil War as the price or punishment of slavery is a widely debated topic among historians. While Lincoln originally believed that the preservation of the Union was his ultimate goal, he developed a stronger stance against slavery as the war progressed. He came to see the war as a means to end slavery and ensure the equality and freedom of all Americans.
Although Lincoln did not directly view the Civil War as divine retribution, his belief in the moral sin of slavery and his desire for justice and equality for all suggests that he may have seen the war as a form of divine intervention to address the grave injustice of slavery.