Did Lincoln ever consider letting the South go?

Question

Did he have any doubt that fighting the Civil War was worth it?

Answer 1

he felt very strongly about keeping the union, that is why he became very unpopular to northerners they started to hate him until he finally chose a good general U.S. Grant then they started winning

Answer 2

the real question is could he afford to let it go...

it was the agricultural center of America at the time... and these goods were needed...

even if he wanted to, in theory, he couldn't have in application... in my opinion...

the north had the machines, but they needed the cotton to make clothes... and who knows what the south would do if they succeeded... he couldn't risk it...

Answer 3

Good question.  I suspect most, if not, all your answers will be in the negative.  I think initially he fought the war to preserve the union of the states, not to end slavery.  I think there is much debate as to whether or not secession was/is illegal.  I wonder if the South had freed the slaves and then succeded.  What would have happened then?  I would suggest you read Thomas DiLorenzo's books:

1. Lincoln Unmasked

2. The Real Lincoln

You could also see an interview with the author on either C-Span or a link on www.mises.org

Answer 4

I don't belive so. Lincoln seemed always to believe that it was only a rebellious few who really sought to leave the Union. Throughout the war, Lincoln had a strong desire to free the Unionists of Northeastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. These independent mountain folk who remained loyal to the Union seemed to encourage Lincoln's view that most Southerners had been lead into secession by their Firebrand leaders and not by their own personal decision.

So it does not appear to have occurred to Lincoln that sending Federal troops (made up of essentially only Northern States) might provoke strong anti-Federal responses from the folks living in the Southern States.

Ultimately, we may never know that doubts might have existed in Lincoln's mind as to the worth of bringing the South back into the Union by force, but certainly, one can imagine the personal pain Lincoln must have felt as he saw the telegrams arriving with the staggering losses from such places as the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor.

Answer 5

Resoundingly no. He sought to keep the union together at all costs and crush the rebellious elements in South.