The Civil War Begins Standards 8.4.4

10 questions will be addressed throughout the Power Point to answer.

Take notes on the “yellow” highlighted words.

SC in the 1850s After the passing of the Compromise of 1850, many in SC wanted to secede from the United States. SC government called for a convention to discuss secession. 3 groups were important at this time: –Unionists, Cooperationists, and Secessionists

Unionists Believed that SC should remain in the United States Unionists did not always agree with the actions of the Northern states or the federal government, but agreed that the US Constitution would protect the state. Benjamin Perry

Cooperationists Wanted to secede from the Union, but only if other Southern states did so. They believed it would be a mistake for SC to secede alone.

Secessionists (Also called “Fire-Eaters”) Wanted to secede from the U.S. as soon as possible (true REBELS). Did not care what other Southern states thought or did.

Checkpoint! (Answers only) 1. What were the three main groups involved in politics after the Compromise of 1850? 2. What did Unionists believe in? 3. What did Cooperationists believe in? 4. What did Secessionists believe in?

Secession In 1852, the secessionists failed to persuade SC to leave the U.S. Other Southern states were not ready to secede, and saw SC as a reckless and radical state. By 1860, views of SC had not changed too much, but another situation caused many Southern states to consider secession.

The Election of 1860 In 1860, the Democratic Party could not agree on a presidential candidate. Due to this disagreement, the party split into two parts: the Northern Democrats and Southern Democrats. Because the Democrats split, the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was able to win the election.

Abraham Lincoln

The Election of 1860 Lincoln was opposed to slavery, but at first he did not want to immediately end it He was content to keep slavery where it was, but would not allow it to expand. His election horrified many Southern states, especially…. SOUTH CAROLINA!

SC Secedes When news of Lincoln’s election reached SC, the leaders of the state called for a meeting in Columbia to discuss secession They were upset that Lincoln would stop slavery’s expansion and try to eventually abolish slavery, therefore ending southern wealth and way of life. Every part of SC sent delegates to this meeting…and every delegate was in favor of secession

SC Secedes On December 17, 1860, the meeting was held in Columbia at the First Baptist Church. A case of smallpox was discovered, and the meeting moved to Charleston. On December 20, 1860 in Charleston, the delegates unanimously voted for the Ordinance of Secession, which pulled SC out of the United States. The political statement said that the federal government should not interfere with the decision making of individual state (states’ rights).

SC Secedes Over the next few weeks, six other Southern states seceded from the U.S. Four more states will also secede. They joined together with SC and formed the Confederate States of America.

First Baptist Church, Columbia

“The Union is Dissolved!”

Checkpoint! (Answers only) 5. What did Abraham Lincoln believe about slavery? 6. Why was SC so worried about Lincoln’s election as President? 7. Why did the Secession Convention move from Columbia to Charleston? What date did SC secede from the Union?

The First Shots of the Civil War There were 3 U.S. forts that guarded Charleston and its harbor The two most important forts were Fort Moultrie (where the old palmetto fort used to be), and Fort Sumter U.S. troops were stationed only at Fort Moultrie

Map of Charleston Harbor Defenses

Fort Sumter Today

The First Shot of the Civil War On December 26, 1860, the U.S. troops moved out of Fort Moultrie and into Fort Sumter SC quickly took control of Fort Moultrie and started taking aim at Fort Sumter Eventually, the U.S. troops in Sumter began to run out of food

The First Shot of the Civil War President Lincoln ordered ships to go to Fort Sumter to bring more supplies Lincoln hoped to get the Confederates (Southern troops) to fire on the ships Why?? – So that it would look like the South was starting the Civil War

The First Shot of the Civil War The Confederates (South) decided to take Fort Sumter before those ships could get to it At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, the Confederates in Charleston opened fire on Fort Sumter. The fort surrendered after 34 hours of fighting The Civil War had begun!

Fort Sumter Under Attack!

Fort Sumter After the Attack…

Checkpoint! (Answers only) 8. When did U.S. troops move into Fort Sumter? 9. Why did Lincoln hope that southern troops would fire on the supply ships? 10. On what date did the Confederates open fire on Fort Sumter?