Lincoln's election upset the south enormously. A majority of republicans found freeing the slaves to be necessary. Southern economy was largely dependent on slavery. Southerners believed it was their constitutional right to secede. Lincoln did not have the wartime experience that all other presidents had. North favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution - wanted to give the federal government increased powers. Armed conflict was inevitable. Which side, union or confederate, the border states would support. Who would the other powers of the world support. Would England support the Confederacy. Would France support the Confederacy. All Union forts in the south would be taken over by the secessionists. France would most likely support the Confederacy because of interests in Mexico. Lincoln's election provoked southern secession and plunged the nation into the greatest crisis in its history. There was much skepticism about Lincoln. However, when a majority of the Republicans party came around to view that freeing the slaves was necessary to the war effort, Lincoln found a way to comply with their wishes while minimizing disenchantment of the conservative minority.Lincoln's election provoked the secession of seven states in the deep south, but did not lead immediately to armed conflict. By the time of his inauguration, seven states had seceded, formed an independent confederacy, and seized most federal forts and other installations in the deep south without firing a single shot. In his inaugural address, Lincoln called for a cautious and limited use of force. Shortly after taking office, Lincoln was informed that Fort Sumter could not hold out much longer and that he would have to decide whether to reinforce it or let it fall. Initially, the majority of Lincoln's cabinet opposed efforts to reinforce or provision Sumter on the grounds that it was indefensible anyway. But, On April 4, 1861, Lincoln ordered that an expedition b...
