Question

Lincoln says that in 1861, "All dreaded it [civil war]--all sought to avert it" (lines 13-14). What reasons does he give in the speech for why war came in spite of these shared feelings against war?

Answer 1

Answer:

President Abraham Lincoln´s Second Inaugural Address, which took place on March 4th, 1865, addresses the issue of the civil war, and the situation of the country, as he takes office. During the speech, and especially on the second and third paragraphs, between lines 16 to the 28th, President Lincoln gives the people the reasons as to why the war was inevitable, even if it was a hateful ending for a conflict of a long while.

The first reason he gives as to why the war could not have been stopped is that both the North and South were unmoving as to how to solve the differences they had on the issue of slavery. While the North would go to war to defend the Union, and not give in to the South´s demands, the South prefered a dissolution of the Union; something the North was unwilling to do.

The second reason he gives to the issue is that the South, also becomes later on willing to engage in war, if that is what it takes for them to defend the institution of slavery. Even if the only intent of the government was to limit the spreading of slavery to the newer territories, this was not well taken by Southerners, who, through agents in the city who sought to destroy the peace, fought against all the intents of the government.

But the final, and most important issue that becomes a factor for the inevitability of the war, is the institution of slavery itself. While Northerners believe it needs to be abolished completely, and the slaves freed, the Southerners wish to retain it and will do everything, even going to war, to protect it.

Answer 2

Lincoln reasoned out that there were insurgent agents who were intent on destroying the Union without war but there were parties who would rather wage war and have an easy triumph.

Here is his reason:

"While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came." - President Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865.