Union War Aims in the American Civil War: Preserve Union, End Slavery, Economic Control, Protect Free States

The North's reasons for war against the Confederacy:

1. Preserve the Union: Secession deemed unconstitutional rebellion; Lincoln's paramount goal (initially without abolishing slavery).
2. End Slavery: Moral imperative for abolitionists; became explicit war aim with Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and 13th Amendment.
3. Maintain Economic Dominance: South's cotton exports fueled Northern textiles/finance; secession threatened tariff revenue and resource control.
4. Protect Free States' Rights: Prevent slave-power expansion into territories; defend free-labor ideology against Slave Power conspiracy.

These motives intertwined: Union preservation enabled emancipation; economic and ideological fears fueled Northern resolve. The war redefined the U.S. as a unified, slavery-free nation.