What was Lincolns goal during the Civil War?

Answer 1

To keep the union intact, in other words keep USA undivided

Answer 2

In the first year of the American Civil War President Lincoln's goal was to hold the Union together. Emancipation of slaves in Confederate held land wasn't done until slaves started fleeing to Union lines. Had Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation too soon, the slave states that sided with the Union might have joined the Southern seceding states. After the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's goal became to save the Union and free the slaves. In fact, before emancipation, Lincoln stated that if the Southern states rejoined the Union, slavery would still be legal.