Lincoln had the power to order Maj. Anderson to remove himself and his troops from Sumter, he chose not to. Lincoln could have met with the peace commission, he chose not to. Lincioln could have sent supplies instead of an armed armada, he chose not to. Lincoln could have just ignored the few states that had secedded, he chose not to. Even after the first shot was fired, no man had been killed, Lincoln could have withdrew Anderson and began talks, he chose not to. Lincoln declared the hostilities a rebellion, and in doing so made a war without the consent of Congress. Lincoln had this power but chose not to use it. Knowing these facts any 8th grader would tell you Lincoln started the war.
Was his motive money or power? It is unlikely he was receiving any monies from tax sources, so that would mean he had a craving for power?
GP