What was Abraham Lincoln's primary goal at the start of the Civil War?

At the start of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's primary goal was to preserve the Union. After the secession of Southern states, which formed the Confederacy, Lincoln focused on keeping the United States intact. He believed that the survival of the Union was essential not just for the nation but also for the principles of democracy and liberty that it represented. The conflict arose primarily from deep-seated divisions over issues like states' rights and slavery, but Lincoln viewed the preservation of the Union as paramount.

While Lincoln did express personal opposition to slavery, his initial actions and policies were not about its immediate abolition across all states. His famous Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in Confederate-held territory, came later as a strategic wartime measure, reflecting a shift in focus as the war progressed. Similarly, while desires for peace were present, Lincoln's priority was to quell the rebellion and restore the Union's authority rather than negotiate peace terms with the Confederacy or expand U.S. territories.