What was Americans opinion on independence? What explains any differences they were? 

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.

2018 means 2018 ce or common era

there have been other eras too including bce, which included way more years.