1 Abraham Lincoln, the Election of 1860, and Secession

2 "A House Divided" In his “House Divided” speech, Abraham Lincoln addresses how the election of President Buchanan, the Nebraska Bill, and the Dred Scott decision will affect the unity of the Nation. In his “House Divided” speech, Abraham Lincoln addresses how the election of President Buchanan, the Nebraska Bill, and the Dred Scott decision will affect the unity of the Nation. “In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. ``A house divided against itself cannot stand.'' I believe this government cannot endure; permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved ---I do not expect the house to fall ---but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other.” “In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. ``A house divided against itself cannot stand.'' I believe this government cannot endure; permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved ---I do not expect the house to fall ---but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other.” “Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new--- North as well as South. Have we no tendency to the latter condition?” “Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new--- North as well as South. Have we no tendency to the latter condition?”

Election Banners

4 South Carolina's Causes for Secession from the Union The election of 1860 has left many on edge in the South, particularly South Carolina. The fear that a Republican President would take actions to limit states' rights has led them to take drastic action. In this declaration, South Carolina outlines there reasons for secession from the Union. “The people of the State of South Carolina….declared that the frequent violations of the Constitution of the United States, by the Federal Government, and its encroachments upon the reserved rights of the States, fully justified this State in then withdrawing from the Federal Union; but in deference to the opinions and wishes of the other slaveholding States, she forbore at that time to exercise this right. Since that time, these encroachments have continued to increase, and further forbearance ceases to be a virtue.”Constitution of the United States

5 Constitution of the Confederate States of America When the framers of the Confederate Constitution set out to draft the document they were set on forming a document that was fundamentally different form the one they opposed. When the framers of the Confederate Constitution set out to draft the document they were set on forming a document that was fundamentally different form the one they opposed. The framers wanted a document that not only represented their ideological differences, but their governing differences as well. The framers wanted a document that not only represented their ideological differences, but their governing differences as well. Ironically, in the end, the only difference that can be found between the two documents is in the ideology. Ironically, in the end, the only difference that can be found between the two documents is in the ideology. The government that was set up by the Confederate Constitution is practically identical to that of the United States. The government that was set up by the Confederate Constitution is practically identical to that of the United States.

6 Confederate President - Jefferson Davis Jefferson Davis served as the provisional president of the Confederacy until elections could be held. Jefferson Davis served as the provisional president of the Confederacy until elections could be held. On February 18, 1861 he delivered his inaugural address. On February 18, 1861 he delivered his inaugural address. In this address, the causes for southern secession and the differences between their government and that of the Union are explained. In this address, the causes for southern secession and the differences between their government and that of the Union are explained. “We have changed the constituent parts, but not the system of our Government. The Constitution formed by our fathers is that of these Confederate States, in their exposition of it, and in the judicial construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true meaning.” “We have changed the constituent parts, but not the system of our Government. The Constitution formed by our fathers is that of these Confederate States, in their exposition of it, and in the judicial construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true meaning.”

7 Crittenden Compromise On March 4, 1861, a Peace Convention was held in Washington. On March 4, 1861, a Peace Convention was held in Washington. This convention was called to order by the state of Virginia. This convention was called to order by the state of Virginia. Virginia, on the verge of secession, was looking for a way they could compromise with the federal government before making the final decision. Virginia, on the verge of secession, was looking for a way they could compromise with the federal government before making the final decision. The outcome of the Peace Convention was the Crittenden Compromise. The outcome of the Peace Convention was the Crittenden Compromise. This compromise proposed six amendments to the Constitution and four resolutions. The amendments and resolutions were centered around slavery, slave trade, and fugitive slave laws. This compromise proposed six amendments to the Constitution and four resolutions. The amendments and resolutions were centered around slavery, slave trade, and fugitive slave laws.

8 A Cure for Republican Lock-Jaw This cartoon depicts congressional efforts to pass the Crittenden Compromise. This cartoon depicts congressional efforts to pass the Crittenden Compromise.

9 Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address In his first Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, addresses the issue of South Carolina seceding from the Union. In his first Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln, addresses the issue of South Carolina seceding from the Union. In doing so, he also outlines how he will handle the situation as President of the United States. In doing so, he also outlines how he will handle the situation as President of the United States. The picture is of the crowd gathered to see Abraham Lincoln delivering his first inaugural address. The picture is of the crowd gathered to see Abraham Lincoln delivering his first inaugural address.

10 Lincoln's July 4 Message to Congress On July 4, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln addressed a special session of Congress. On July 4, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln addressed a special session of Congress. In this address, he announced that a war has been declared on the states that seceded from the Union. In this address, he announced that a war has been declared on the states that seceded from the Union. He also calls on Congress to make available the funds and man power needed for a short war. He also calls on Congress to make available the funds and man power needed for a short war. “It is now recommended that you give the legal means for making this contest a short, and a decisive one; that you place at the control of the government, for the work, at least four hundred thousand men, and four hundred millions of dollars…” “It is now recommended that you give the legal means for making this contest a short, and a decisive one; that you place at the control of the government, for the work, at least four hundred thousand men, and four hundred millions of dollars…”