Why did Lincoln inform the Confederacy that he would not be sending troops or weapons as food supplies were sent to Fort Sumter?

Question

1. To allow the Confederacy to retain full ownership of the fort.
2. To convince the Confederacy he did not intend any military action.
3. To give the Confederacy a false sense of security and then attack.
4. To inform the Confederacy of his desire to open fighting.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

2. To convince the Confederacy he did not intend any military action.

Lincoln's communication about sending only food supplies to Fort Sumter was intended to reassure the Confederacy that he was not planning a military escalation, thus aiming to prevent further hostilities while still attempting to maintain the fort's garrison.