Question

Do you agree with President Lincoln's assessment of the Civil War as the price of punishment of slavery? Why or why not? Do you really think he saw the American Civil War as some form of divine retribution?

a) Yes, Lincoln believed the Civil War was a punishment for slavery.
b) No, Lincoln did not see the war as a punishment for slavery.
c) Yes, Lincoln saw the war as a form of divine retribution.
d) No, Lincoln did not view the war as divine retribution.

Answer 1

President Lincoln's primary goal immediately following the Civil War was to reunify the country. He believed that emancipating the southern slaves could help cripple the South's ability to fight and viewed the war as both a punishment for slavery and a form of divine retribution.

Step-by-step explanation:

President Lincoln's primary goal immediately following the Civil War was to reunify the country (C).

While Lincoln detested slavery, his initial goal was to preserve the Union rather than abolish slavery. He hoped that slavery would eventually die a natural death and did not believe in immediate abolition. However, as the war progressed, Lincoln came to believe that emancipating the southern slaves could help cripple the South's ability to fight and open the door for the recruitment of African Americans as soldiers.

Therefore, it can be inferred that Lincoln did view the Civil War as a means to punish slavery (a) and as a form of divine retribution (c).