American History: Beginnings to 1877: 8. Sectionalism and Civil War, Lessons 3–6

His proposal included a Constitutional amendment that he said would be unamendable, one that could not be changed.

According to this view, the Constitution created a Union comprised of sovereign states, and each state had the authority to make decisions without interference from the federal government.

Finally, Lincoln stated that government required acquiescence, or the willingness to accept laws whether or not a person agreed with those laws.

After some indecision, each of the four border states—Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware—decided to remain in the Union.

The South had an agrarian, or farming, economy. Its fertile land, ample rainfall, and long growing season were conducive to growing cash crops, such as cotton and tobacco, rather than food crops.

The Union army seemed reluctant to go on the offensive, however.

On its first day out in March 1862, the Virginia demonstrated the advantages of ironclads.

On September 22, 1862, following the moderate success of Antietam, Lincoln, Lincoln announces a preliminary proclamation.

He issued the formal Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation freed people enslaved in Confederate-held territory.

He issued the formal Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation freed people enslaved in Confederate-held territory.

One of the most famous African American units in the Union army was the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.

On July 18, 1863, the 54th led an attack on Fort Wagner near Charleston, South Carolina.

In response, Congress passed a draft law in 1863. It required all able-bodies males between the ages of 20 and 45 to serve in the military if they were called.

Essentially, they feared the draft would force them to right against their self-interest.

Several times, he suspended habeas corpus, the right to be charged or have hearing before being jailed.

The South also printed paper money, which led to wild inflation. Inflation is a general rise in prices and a decrease in the value of money.

To pay for the war, Congress established the nation's first income tax, or tax on people's earnings, in 1861.

In a siege, a military force encircles an enemy position and blockades and bombards it in order to force it to surrender.

The three-day Battle of Gettysburg that followed was one of the most significant events of the Civil War.

Lincoln said that the Civil War was a test of whether or not a democratic government could survive. This claim implied that the nations's survival depended on the integrity of the Union.