Question

read the excerpt:
i believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. i do not expect the union to be dissolved—i do not expect the house
to fall—but i do expect it will cease to be divided. it will become all one thing or all the other.
—abraham lincoln

why was the idea expressed by abraham lincoln in this speech significant?

a. it showed lincoln’s support for slavery eventually expanding across the entire united states.

b. it suggested the idea of splitting the us into two separate countries, one free and one slave.

c. it showed that lincoln wanted an immediate war against the southern states over slavery.

d. it explained that the united states must eventually become all slave states or all free states.

Explanation:

• Option A: Lincoln was against slavery, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: Lincoln wanted to preserve the Union, not split it, so this is wrong.
• Option C: The excerpt doesn't mention an immediate war; it's about the Union's future regarding slavery, so this is incorrect.
• Option D: The quote says the government can't be half - slave and half - free and will become all one or the other, which matches this option.

Answer:

D. It explained that the United States must eventually become all slave states or all free states.