How did the transcendentalism affect american culture ?

Trascendentalism stated four main philosophical points: self reliance, individual conscience, intuition over reason, unity of all things in nature. Trascendentalism was the cradle of progressive reform in New England. Because some people based their conduct in the principles before mentioned they started to advocate for great changes. Margaret Fuller, one prominent trascendentalist, argued for women's rights.  She also argued for abolition of slavery which was in the agenda of transcendentalists.

europe would not recognize the confederacy as an independent nation.

lincoln presided over the union victory in the american civil war, which dominated his presidency. a former whig, lincoln ran on a political platform opposed to the expansion of slavery in the territories. his election served as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the american civil war.