For what causes did president lincoln believe the us soldiers were fighting during the american civil war

President Abraham Lincoln identified several key causes for which U.S. soldiers were fighting during the American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865. In his speeches and writings, Lincoln emphasized the preservation of the Union as the primary goal. Some of the main causes and principles he highlighted include:

1. Preservation of the Union:

• Lincoln firmly believed in maintaining the unity of the United States. He viewed the secession of Southern states as a threat to the existence of the Union and considered it his duty to preserve the federal government and prevent the dissolution of the nation.

1. Opposition to Secession:

• Lincoln rejected the notion of states having the right to secede from the Union. He argued that the Union was a perpetual and indissoluble entity, and therefore, the Southern states did not have the legal or constitutional right to secede.

1. Defense of Democracy and Republican Government:

• Lincoln saw the Civil War as a test of whether a government "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" could endure. He believed that the survival of the Union was essential for the preservation of democratic ideals and the republican form of government.

1. Abolition of Slavery (Evolution of Emancipation):

• While Lincoln initially framed the war as being primarily about preserving the Union, the issue of slavery became increasingly significant as the conflict progressed. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln in 1863, declared slaves in Confederate-held territories to be free. The fight against slavery gained prominence as a moral cause and contributed to the broader purpose of the war.

1. Justice and Equality:

• Lincoln spoke about the broader principles of justice and equality, emphasizing the importance of creating a nation where all individuals had the opportunity for "a new birth of freedom." He sought to address the underlying issues of inequality and injustice that had contributed to the tensions leading up to the Civil War.

In summary, President Lincoln's primary focus was on preserving the Union and maintaining the principles of democracy and equality. While the initial emphasis was on preventing secession, the war's objectives evolved, with the eventual inclusion of the abolition of slavery as a key goal.