History of the United States I / Unit 15 USH1 2109 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Lincoln's Inaugural
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The idea
In his inaugural address of March fourth, eighteen sixty-one, Lincoln said he had no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists.
In practice
The same speech pledging to prevent slavery's western expansion.
Where people slip
He also declared secession unconstitutional. Note that all three positions are consistent, and that only the second was unacceptable to the seceding states.
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