When I wrote “Their actions after that caused the rebellion.” I meant the actions of English troops after the tea party caused the rebellion.
Look carefully at what England did to occupied Boston after the Tea Party. Contrast that with the actions of Lincoln before the firing on Ft. Sumter.
“We are not enemies, but friends...” was taken by the rebels of 1860 as a declaration of war.
Nice try again, but epic fail. Lincoln was the decider. There was no chance that the South would invade the North. Lincoln’s disclaimers were short-lived, and did not reflect his actions. I am NOT a Lincoln-hater, and I understand that it may have been impossible for any politician to step back from the brink at the time. But, he could have, if he had chosen, to allow seperation peacefully. Anyone who thinks that was impossible is not able to think in even a modestly critical fashion.