What did Abraham Lincoln aim to preserve during his presidency?

Abraham Lincoln's primary goal during his presidency was to preserve the Union. This aim was particularly important during the tumultuous years of the Civil War, when the United States was divided between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) that had seceded. Lincoln believed that the survival of the nation was paramount, and he made it clear that his objective was to keep the states united.

The preservation of the Union went beyond mere political considerations; it was also seen as a moral imperative to uphold the principles of democracy and equality outlined in the Declaration of Independence. As the war progressed, Lincoln also began to link the fight to preserve the Union with the issue of slavery, as he recognized that ending slavery would fortify the nation and support its foundational ideals. This culminated in the Emancipation Proclamation, which not only aimed to free enslaved people in Confederate states but also made clear that the struggle was not just about reuniting the country but also about transforming it toward greater freedom.

The other options, while related to aspects of the historical context, did not serve as Lincoln's primary focus. For example, while state rights were a significant issue, they were often leveraged by those seeking to justify secession