Question

when he became president of the confederacy, jefferson davis believed that

southern slavery would remain safe under lincoln.
secession of the southern states should be encouraged.
the south should declare war against the union to gain independence.
lincoln would force states that seceded back into the union.

Explanation:

Analyze Davis's perspective on Lincoln

Using the Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address and Secession Justification knowledge points

In his inaugural address on February 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis argued that the election of Abraham Lincoln and the rise of the Republican Party threatened the constitutional rights and sovereignty of the Southern states. He believed that the incoming Lincoln administration would use federal power to coerce and force the seceded states back into the Union, denying them their self-proclaimed right to self-governance.

Evaluate the given options

Using the Secession Justification knowledge point

• Option 1: "Southern slavery would remain safe under Lincoln." Davis and other secessionist leaders strongly believed that Lincoln's presidency posed an existential threat to the institution of slavery.
• Option 2: "secession of the Southern states should be encouraged." While Davis supported secession, this option is phrased as a general policy recommendation rather than his specific belief regarding the Union's response or Lincoln's intentions.
• Option 3: "the South should declare war against the Union to gain independence." Davis initially hoped for a peaceful separation and did not advocate for initiating an offensive war, but rather prepared for defense.
• Option 4: "Lincoln would force states that seceded back into the Union." Davis anticipated that the federal government under Lincoln would refuse to recognize the Confederacy's independence and would attempt to preserve the Union by force.

Answer:

• (A) Southern slavery would remain safe under Lincoln.
• (B) secession of the Southern states should be encouraged.
• (C) the South should declare war against the Union to gain independence.
• (D) Lincoln would force states that seceded back into the Union. (Correct answer)