During the civil war the south sought recognition from Britain and other European countries to legitimize their efforts and even gain help (Britain actually gifted them a war vessel during the conflict). There was even talk in Britain of mediation, which hoped to end the fighting and therefore separate the north and south as two different countries.

At this proposition Lincoln and his cabinet were unwavering:

“I expect to maintain this contest until successful or until I die.” -Lincoln

Even during the lowest points in the Union’s effort, I’ve consistently read that Lincoln and Co. were unwilling to consider a reality in which the south achieved their independence. Why?

Once states had seceded, Congress was finally able to pass legislation like the homestead act, and federal funding for the transcontinental railroad. These were all things held up by southern politicians.

Did Lincoln not see this political consolidation as an advantage?

The only reasoning I’ve seen for why Lincoln refused the dissolution of the union is because it was unconstitutional. But I have to believe there is more to it than that.

My only theory is that maybe Lincoln assumed any type of peace would never be permanent, and conflicts would continue to arise as settlers continued to settle the west.

The fighting during the war was, by written accounts, horrific. Was there any situation in which Lincoln would have surrendered to end the slaughter, or would he really have continued fighting as he put it: “.. until successful or until I die.”