“The South initiated the war by firing on Sumter.”
The South fired on a foreign military force that was occupying Southern territory and refused to leave. The South gave Anderson (and Lincoln) ample opportunities to avoid bloodshed by simply leaving the territory of the states that had ceased to be part of the Union and were, therefore, independent and sovereign bodies. The prospect of losing his precious revenues was too much for Abe to abide, and his actions in forcing the issue naturally resulted in armed conflict. Lincoln gave the South two options, and two options only: Return to the Union or be brought back by force. If you are of the opinion he gave the South a third option, trot it out so we can take a look at it.
Sumter was a U.S. fort. Built with federal funds on land deeded to it free and clear by the South Carolina legislature. It was not Southern territory.
The South gave Anderson (and Lincoln) ample opportunities to avoid bloodshed by simply leaving the territory of the states that had ceased to be part of the Union and were, therefore, independent and sovereign bodies.
Translation: South Carolina demanded that Lincoln surrender federal territory to them without compensation. Why is it surprising Lincoln said 'No'?
The prospect of losing his precious revenues was too much for Abe to abide, and his actions in forcing the issue naturally resulted in armed conflict.
It was a fort. Revenues were not involved.
Lincoln gave the South two options, and two options only: Return to the Union or be brought back by force.
How many options did the South give Lincoln? Regardless, the South decided Sumter was worth starting a war over. Unfortunately that war didn't quite turn out how they had planned. But they have nobody to blame for that but themselves.