What was Lincoln's initial aim of the Civil War when it began in 1861?

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Lincoln's initial aim when the Civil War began in 1861 was to preserve the Union, without regard to ending slavery. He believed that the Union must be maintained at all costs, and that the Constitution gave him the authority to use force to do so. It was only after the war began and public opinion shifted that Lincoln came to see the abolition of slavery as a necessary step towards preserving the Union.

What Was Lincoln's Initial Aim of the Civil War When