1. Continued Military Struggles: The Union forces had suffered several setbacks in the early years of the Civil War, including the defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 and the loss of strategic territory in the western theater. General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army had emerged as a formidable opponent to the Union, and Northern morale was low.
2. Financial Strain: The war was taking a significant toll on the Northern economy, and Lincoln was under pressure to find ways to finance the war effort and support the troops. The ongoing military operations, including maintaining a large army, supplying troops, and producing war materiel, required vast financial resources.
3. Political Divisions: Lincoln had to contend with divisions and disputes within his own political party, the Republican Party. Some factions within the party were pushing for more aggressive military action and a faster end to the war, while others advocated for more conciliatory approaches and sought to avoid alienating border states that had not yet joined the Confederacy.
4. Slave Issue: The issue of slavery continued to be a complex and divisive matter in the North. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, issued in September 1862, faced resistance from some conservative elements in the North who opposed abolition and worried about its potential impact on the war effort.
5. Wartime Diplomacy: Lincoln was also dealing with diplomatic challenges, as foreign powers like Great Britain and France initially sought to maintain neutrality during the war. He wanted to prevent any international intervention or recognition of the Confederacy, which would have strengthened the Southern cause.
6. Treatment of African American Soldiers: While Lincoln had advocated for the enlistment of African American soldiers in the Union Army, their treatment and integration within the military were still being debated. Some resistance existed within the ranks of white soldiers and society at large, leading to Lincoln's efforts to ensure equal pay and opportunities for African American troops.
7. Growing Dissent and Opposition: As the war continued, weariness and dissent began to grow among some elements of the Northern population. Copperhead Democrats and other anti-war groups emerged, criticizing the war's cost, the suspension of civil liberties, and Lincoln's policies.
8. Personal Health concerns: Lincoln was known to suffer from physical ailments, including depression, headaches, and digestive problems. These personal health challenges added to his emotional burden and made leading the nation through a tumultuous period even more demanding.
In summary, President Lincoln's burden as the leader of the North during the Civil War was compounded by military struggles, financial strains, political divisions, the ongoing debate about slavery, diplomatic complexities, challenges related to African American soldiers, growing dissent, and his personal health concerns.