The quotes from Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis highlight the intense animosity between the Union and the Confederacy at the onset of the Civil War. Lincoln’s assertion that “America will not be destroyed from the outside” indicates his belief that internal division—specifically the conflict with the South—is a self-inflicted wound that threatens the nation’s freedom. This reflects his commitment to preserving the Union and suggests a deep concern that the country is on the brink of self-destruction due to its internal rifts. In contrast, Davis’s declaration that “the time for compromise has now passed” reveals a hardened resolve within the Confederacy to confront the Union aggressively. His reference to making “all who oppose her smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel” underscores the South’s readiness to use military force against its adversaries, conveying a sense of defiance and a willingness to escalate conflict rather than seek reconciliation. Together, these quotes portray a landscape of hostility, where both leaders perceive the conflict as a fundamental struggle for their respective visions of America.
In a paragraph and your own words, explain how the quotes from Lincoln and Davis show the animosity between the Union and the Confederacy at the start of the Civil War? Provide examples from each quote to help support your answer. (4 points)
Lincoln Quote:
"America will not be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln
Davis Quote:
"The time for compromise has now passed, and the South is determined to maintain her position, and make all who oppose her smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel." - Jefferson Davis (Confederate President)
(4 points)
0 / 10000 Word Limit
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