Conversation so far:
Which war broke out in William H. Seward's lifetime?
On April 12, Charleston's batteries began firing on Sumter, beginning the Civil War.
What did William H. Seward do in the Civil War?
William H. Seward sent Lincoln a memorandum on April 1, proposing various courses of action, including possibly declaring war on France and Spain.

Question: Why war with those countries?
Self-contained rewrite: Why did William H. Seward suggest declaring war with France and Spain?