You will be able to explain the significance of the Election of 1860 OBJECTIVE You will be able to explain the significance of the Election of 1860 VOCABULARY Secede: to break away from or separate from a union.

The Last Straw Have you ever heard anyone say this phrase “this is the last straw!” when they are getting frustrated and are about to give up on something? Explain a situation where you were experienced “the last straw” and got frustrated with that situation or that person: For many years, southern pro-slavery states threatened to secede (break away) from the rest of the United States if their right to own slaves was ever taken away. In 1860, eleven Southern states did break away from the Union and this started the Civil War. What do you think were the “straws” that broke this camels back? In other words, what events happened that caused the Southern states to secede? Name at least 3 events

The Causes of the Civil War Today’s Notes We can consider the Election of 1860 as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”—meaning, this was the final event that led to the start of the Civil War. The Causes of the Civil War The South

Republicans and Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, who ran for a position in the Senate in 1858, was part of the Republican Party. Lincoln agreed with his party that all compromises between North and South had failed. He believed that slavery was morally wrong and that it must be prohibited (stopped) from spreading into the West. Lincoln argued that sectionalism was tearing the nation apart and that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

“A house divided against itself cannot stand…” What is the “house” that Lincoln is referring to? Why is it divided?

The Senate Race: Lincoln vs. Douglas According to Lincoln, slavery was a moral, not a legal, issue. By this, he meant that the argument was not about whether slavery should be permitted by the government; the argument was about how slavery was wrong. According to Douglass, the Dred Scott decision had put the issue of slavery to rest. By this, he meant that the Supreme Court ruled that slavery was legal and constitutional; the government did not have a legal right to put limits on it.

And the winner is… Unfortunately, Lincoln lost the race for Senate to Stephen Douglass. He was not discouraged, however, and stated that “the fight must go on and the cause of liberty must not be surrendered!”

Check your Understanding Create a summary of what we just learned in the box provided!

Presidential Election of 1860 In 1860, Americans had the opportunity to elect a new president. Republicans were united behind their candidate, Abraham Lincoln. The Democrats, however, were split between North and South. Northern Democrats united behind Stephen Douglas, while Southern Democrats united behind John Breckenridge.

And the winner is… Because Lincoln’s opponents were split in two groups, Lincoln was able to win the national vote. All of his votes, however, were from voters in the North. Not a single person in the South elected Abraham Lincoln. In some southern states, Lincoln was not even on the ballot.

The South Considers Secession! For white southerners, Lincoln’s election was a threat to slavery in the South. White southerners started to fear that Congress would abolish slavery in the whole nation. In the weeks following Lincoln’s election, Southern states began talk of secession (the act of seceding or breaking away from the U.S.).

Lincoln Makes a Promise to the South Lincoln declared to Congress and the entire nation that he would not interfere (do anything to change) with slavery in the South. He would allow slavery to continue in the states that allowed slavery. But Lincoln stated clearly that he would do everything in his power to prevent slavery from expanding into the west.

The South Responds to the Election In response to this statement, South Carolina held a state convention and agreed to secede from the Union (U.S.). Six more southern states seceded after South Carolina. Lincoln argued that secession (breaking away) was wrong and unconstitutional. Ready for war, Southern troops attacked a national fort, Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The Civil War had begun.

Create a Summary! Summarize what we learned about the Election of 1860 in the blank space at the bottom of your notes

Video Clip! America, the Story of Us: Division: 40:00-45:00

Abraham Lincoln’s Election DIRECTIONS: As we watch the Brainpop on Abraham Lincoln, follow along with the text below! Then answer the questions at the end of the page. WOULD YOU VOTE FOR LINCOLN? Imagine you are an American living during the election of 1860. Would you vote for Lincoln? Read the description of each person and explain in at least two sentences why you would or would not vote for Abraham Lincoln to be the President of the U.S.   African-American Farmer from Massachusetts: White Abolitionist from New York:   White Senator from Mississippi: