Lincoln’s first task after being elected president is to construct his cabinet. Part of his strategy is to solidify his position by bringing in former rivals whose egos he could flatter. Seward was nominated Secretary of State; Bates Attorney General; and Chase Secretary of the Treasury, as Lincoln knows “he would not accept a subordinate position” (290).

At the same time, Lincoln needs to manage the discontent that his election has wrought on the South and “the growing rancor splitting his own party” (296) regarding the slavery issue. Many have begun to distort Lincoln’s position, naming him as a staunch abolitionist, but this is not the case since Lincoln’s foremost intention is to preserve the Union. However, this mission is soon threatened by events in South Carolina: the state attempts to seize all three of the federal forts within its borders (297). Before Lincoln even has a chance to take oath of office, he finds himself at the whims of what James Buchanan will do in his last days in office and in an “increasingly chaotic and potentially devasting situation” (304).