From my limited understanding, Lincoln was somewhat committed to ending slavery but wasn’t even that concerned with it, like it wasn’t part of his first 100 days plan or anything. However, his election was interpreted by the south as a full on attack against their rights (to keep slaves) so they attempted to secede.
So the north gave a shit but understood the need to end slavery, they just planned to do it in like a 5-10 year plan. Meanwhile the slavers jumped the gun, shot themselves in both feet and made it the most pressing issue they could which led to the end of slavery and the damaged the economies of several states.
I consider leaving cyber and becoming a barista on a daily basis