Objectives Compare the candidates in the election of 1860, and analyze the results. Analyze why southern states seceded from the Union. Assess the events that led to the outbreak of war.

Terms and People Jefferson Davis – Mississippi senator who convinced Congress to adopt resolutions restricting federal control over slavery in the territories, and who went on to become the president of the Confederacy John C. Breckinridge – the southern Democrat presidential nominee in 1860 Confederate States of America – established in 1861 by seven southern states that seceded from the Union

Terms and People (continued) Crittenden Compromise – proposed 1861 constitutional amendment that would have allowed slavery in western territories south of the Missouri Compromise line Fort Sumter – a Union fort which guarded the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina, and fell to Confederate forces in 1861, beginning the Civil War 3

How did the Union finally collapse into a civil war? Disagreement over slavery deepened between North and South despite attempts at compromise. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President in 1860 sharpened the crisis. The young Union was about to dissolve.

Southern Democrats: John C. Breckinridge The election of 1860 approached as tensions over slavery and states’ rights ran high. Jefferson Davis wanted Congress to restrict federal control over slavery in the territories. At their convention, the Democrats argued about slavery for ten days and split their support. Northern Democrats: Stephen Douglas Southern Democrats: John C. Breckinridge

The Whig party united with the Know-Nothings and nominated John Bell. The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln, who was viewed as a moderate. 6

The Republican platform called for an end to slavery in the territories. At the same time they held that there should be no interference with slavery in states where it already existed. Lincoln won the election with 60% of the electoral votes despite not being on the ballot in most southern states. 7

The North and South were separate and uniting them seemed impossible. The election showed there were no longer any national political parties. The North and South were separate and uniting them seemed impossible. 8

Southerners were very unhappy with the results of the election Southerners were very unhappy with the results of the election. They felt they did not have a voice in government. South Carolina held a state convention and voted to secede from the Union. Six states followed. These seven states formed the Confederate States of America in 1861.

The Confederacy framed its own constitution and chose Jefferson Davis as its president. A final compromise was attempted, called the Crittenden Compromise. The measure did not pass in the Senate. 10

President Lincoln took office on March 4, 1861 and declared that there would be no war unless the South started it. Four forts—including Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor—had remained under Union control when the southern states seceded. When Union troops at Fort Sumter refused to surrender, the Confederates fired on them.

The long Civil War began. Northerners were angered. Lincoln called for volunteers to fight against the Confederacy. The South mobilized troops. The long Civil War began.

Section Review QuickTake Quiz Know It, Show It Quiz 13