Question

which was an area of agreement between abraham lincoln and jefferson davis?

both wanted to avoid a war between the north and south.
both considered davis an equal leader to lincoln.
both considered lincoln the rightful leader of the union.
both believed the south had a right to leave the union.

Explanation:

Analyze Lincoln's perspective on war

Using the Lincoln First Inaugural knowledge point, Abraham Lincoln argued that the Union was perpetual and secession was legally void. He did not want to initiate conflict, famously telling the South, "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war." He sought to preserve the Union without bloodshed if possible.

Analyze Davis's perspective on war

Using the Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address knowledge point, Jefferson Davis argued that secession was a peaceful and legal assertion of self-government. He stated that the Confederacy hoped to avoid conflict and maintain peaceful relations with the North, declaring that "if... passion or lust of dominion should cloud the judgment or blind the ambition of those States, we must prepare to meet the emergency."

Evaluate the leadership status options

Lincoln did not recognize the Confederacy as a legitimate nation, meaning he did not consider Davis an equal leader of a sovereign state. Conversely, Davis did not recognize Lincoln's authority over the seceded Southern states, making options regarding mutual recognition of leadership incorrect.

Evaluate the right to secession option

Lincoln firmly rejected the constitutional right of states to secede, viewing it as anarchy. Davis strongly defended secession as a constitutional right. Therefore, they did not agree on the right of the South to leave the Union.

Identify the shared goal

Both leaders publicly expressed a strong desire to avoid a devastating war between the North and the South, hoping instead to achieve their respective political goals peacefully.

Answer:

• Both wanted to avoid a war between the North and South. (Correct answer)
• Both considered Davis an equal leader to Lincoln.
• Both considered Lincoln the rightful leader of the Union.
• Both believed the South had a right to leave the Union.