Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln practiced deception by downplaying the importance of slavery in his war aims, initially emphasizing the preservation of the Union over abolition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how Abraham Lincoln practiced deception as president. The correct answer to this is option b: He downplayed the importance of slavery in his war aims, emphasizing preservation of the Union. Lincoln initially maintained that his paramount goal was the preservation of the Union and not the abolition of slavery. While Lincoln detested slavery, he believed that immediate abolition was too radical and that freed black people should not become citizens of the United States initially. However, by July 1862, Lincoln had concluded that emancipation was a military necessity to cripple the South's ability to fight and to garner support for the Union cause. This also aligned with diplomatic considerations, preventing British recognition of the Confederacy due to the anti-slavery sentiments in Britain. Lincoln's shift to include emancipation in the Union's goals was thus strategic, aiming to reenergize citizens who might support this as a means to achieve Union victory. As President, Abraham Lincoln practiced deception in several ways:
He downplayed the importance of slavery in his war aims, emphasizing the preservation of the Union. This allowed him to gain support from those who were not in favor of abolishing slavery and focus on the goal of reuniting the country.
He publicly undercut his own generals. Lincoln sometimes criticized and interfered with the strategies of his generals in the Civil War, questioning their decisions and motives. This served to keep them on their toes and maintain his control over military operations.
He told the northern public that the Civil War could end in an easy victory, despite knowing that it would be a hard struggle. Lincoln used optimistic rhetoric to boost morale and maintain support for the war effort among the Northern population.