Abraham Lincoln's public position on slavery by 1860 was that he opposed the expansion of slavery but not its existence. This position was reflected in his beliefs and policies during his presidential campaign and time in office. Here's why this option best describes Lincoln's stance:
1. **Opposed the Expansion of Slavery**: Lincoln was against the spread of slavery into new territories and states. He believed that limiting the expansion of slavery was crucial to eventually ending it.
2. **Not Opposed to its Existence**: While Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery, he initially did not advocate for its immediate abolition in states where it already existed. His primary goal was to prevent slavery from spreading further.
3. **Emancipation Proclamation**: It wasn't until later in the Civil War, specifically in 1863, that Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This act was more about weakening the Confederacy than solely ending slavery.
By considering Lincoln's actions and statements, it becomes evident that he primarily focused on stopping the expansion of slavery rather than immediate abolition in existing states, making the option "He opposed the expansion of slavery but not its existence" the best description of his public position on slavery by 1860.
