[JamesWilson]

People using common sense know that the abolition of slavery -- Lincoln's platform -- was the primary cause of the Civil War.

Then why was the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 - 2 years after the Civil War began?

[thinktwice]

Then why was the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 - 2 years after the Civil War began?

The South -- several times -- came quite close to winning the Civil War. Jubal Early, for instance, was once within minutes of capturing Washington D.C. after leading a lightning calvary expedition up the Shenandoah Valley.

Lincoln also had to go through about seven commanding generals before he placed those most competent for war -- Sherman and Grant -- in charge.