Lincoln: Justified or Tyrant?

Was President Lincoln's use of presidential and congressional powers justified, or is he the most glorified tyrant in American History? In 1860, tensions between the north and south were becoming more visibly strained. Social, economic, and political differences caused many in the south to want to secede, rather than to sacrifice their way of life. Their fears came to a head when Republican President Lincoln was elected president. His promise that no new territories would be allowed to have slaves gave the north control politically. The resulting secession is the start of the Civil Wa…