Unironically though. He was elected by a coalition of people who wanted to stop slavery immediately, and who wanted to stop it over time, but was way more moderate than they wanted.
Remember, the south seceded because they assumed the country would eventually get around to banning slavery, not because they actually tried to.
He consistently tried to find a middle ground, saying he'd be fine maintaining slavery if it meant the country stayed together, only freeing slaves only in confederate-occupied territories (until the political situation changed), trying to send them to Africa, etc.
Ah yes, Abe Lincoln would certainly be most concerned about divisiveness.
Unironically though. He was elected by a coalition of people who wanted to stop slavery immediately, and who wanted to stop it over time, but was way more moderate than they wanted.
Remember, the south seceded because they assumed the country would eventually get around to banning slavery, not because they actually tried to.
He consistently tried to find a middle ground, saying he'd be fine maintaining slavery if it meant the country stayed together, only freeing slaves only in confederate-occupied territories (until the political situation changed), trying to send them to Africa, etc.