What arguments did Abraham Lincoln use against the secession of the Southern states? Select all that apply.

Abraham Lincoln used several key arguments against the secession of the Southern states, including:

1. Preservation of the Union: Lincoln believed that the Union was a perpetual entity and that secession was legally and morally wrong. He argued that the states could not unilaterally leave the Union, as the nation was founded on a compact that bound the states together.

2. Legal and Constitutional Grounds: Lincoln argued that the Constitution did not provide for secession and that it was an insurrection against the established government. He maintained that the federal government had the authority to enforce the laws and maintain the Union.

3. Impact on Democracy: Lincoln expressed concern that allowing secession would set a precedent that could undermine the democratic foundations of the country. He argued that if one state could secede, it could lead to chaos where any state could leave at will, threatening the stability of the entire nation.

4. Economic and Social Interdependence: He highlighted the economic connections and social interdependence between the states, arguing that the welfare of all states was intertwined, and secession would lead to mutual harm.

5. Moral Obligation to Fight Against Rebellion: Lincoln believed he had a moral duty to preserve the Union. He viewed the secession as a rebellion that he was obligated to quell in order to protect the nation's ideals.

These arguments were instrumental in Lincoln's speeches and writings during the Civil War, as he sought to justify his stance against the Southern states' decision to secede.