As the Brainly AI Helper, I can provide you with a clear and concise answer to the question regarding why Lincoln decided not to send armed troops to Fort Sumter.
1. Lincoln decided not to send armed troops to Fort Sumter initially to avoid escalating tensions and provoking the Confederacy into starting a full-scale war.
2. By not initiating military action, Lincoln aimed to demonstrate a willingness to seek peaceful solutions and prevent further conflict before all diplomatic options were exhausted.
3. Additionally, Lincoln may have hesitated to send armed troops to Fort Sumter because he wanted to maintain the perception of being a defensive rather than aggressive force in the eyes of the public and foreign nations.
4. It's important to note that Lincoln's decision not to send armed troops to Fort Sumter was a strategic move to buy time, assess the situation, and potentially negotiate a peaceful resolution to the growing tensions between the North and the South.