How did Lincolns and Jefferson Davis perceptions of the constitution differ?

Answer 1

Abraham Lincoln viewed the Constitution as a unifying document that preserved the Union and upheld the principles of democracy and equality, believing it provided the framework to combat secession and maintain the nation. In contrast, Jefferson Davis saw the Constitution as a compact between sovereign states, emphasizing states' rights and the authority to secede if they deemed it necessary. This fundamental difference in interpretation reflected their opposing views on federal authority and the legitimacy of secession during the Civil War.