They hoped lincoln would not win re-election in 1864, and they would be able to make peace.
The Copperheads were a group of Northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. They were also called Peace Democrats, because they were in favor of a compromise peace. The Confederates believed that if they could prolong the war, and cause enough war-weariness in the North, Lincoln could lose the 1864 election. If so, the South might gain its independence. Unfortunately for the Copperheads, the fall of Atlanta in September 1864 meant that the Radical Republicans prevailed, and Lincoln was re-elected. By the time of his assassination on April 15, 1865, the war was essentially over.
eating an apple
Election to unify the country would be held withing 60 days.
To assert the viability of the Confederate States of America, and encourage Britain to intervene on their side. Also to occupy territory in the North, and to be able to threaten Washington D.C.
George McClellan
They hoped lincoln would not win re-election in 1864, and they would be able to make peace.
George McClellan ran against Lincoln on a peace platform for the Democrats. He was beaten by Lincoln.
Lincoln won for the Republicans on a ticket of no new slave-states. This meant that the South would always be outvoted in Congress, which would tend to pass laws that favoured the North. South Carolina immediately secdeded from the USA, and six other states had done the saqme by the time of Lincoln's inaugration in March.
Lincoln was running against George McClellan, who denied that he was an anti-war Democrat (Copperhead), but it is hard to see how the war could have been carried on if the Democrats had won - which they looked as though they would. The war had not gone well for the Union in 1864, and Lincoln privately confided that he thought he would lose. Then in September came three wins that improved his chances. Sherman captured Atlanta. Sheridan cleared the Shenandoah Valley. And Admiral Farragut liberated the blockade-runners' port of Mobile. In the end he won a clear, though not decisive victory.
Some were war weary and voted for McClellan who promised a negotiated peace.
Peace Preservation Law was passed before the General Election Law.
Peace sentiment remained strong in the North until Lincoln's 1864 election due to war fatigue, high casualties, and economic hardships faced by civilians. Many Northerners were disillusioned by the prolonged conflict and sought a swift resolution, leading to calls for peace negotiations. The Democratic Party, particularly its Peace Democrats, capitalized on this sentiment, advocating for an immediate end to hostilities. Additionally, early military setbacks and the lack of clear victories contributed to the public's desire for a change in strategy or leadership.
They were the anti-war Democrats, who were in favour of a compromise peace. If Lincoln had lost the election of 1864, McClellan (a suspected Copperhead) would probably have gone for this outcome, and the South would have got their independence.
Stephen Douglas, who defeated Abraham Lincoln in the election (which was conducted in the Illinois legislature). Nonetheless, Lincoln became the popular Republican candidate for President in 1860, defeating Douglas who was the Democratic candidate.
Democrats were split on the US Civil War. For example, President Lincoln named Democrat Andrew Johnson as his running mate for 1864. Other Democrats were now against the US Civil War and sought to end it peacefully and with dignity. The peace movement in the 1864 Democratic Party was led by Fernando Wood, the former New York City mayor who was horrified when Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election and by a former congressman from Ohio, Clement Vallandigham.
The re-election of Abraham Lincoln in November of 1864 ended all hopes for a negotiated peace between the North and the South.