Election of 1860

Missouri Compromise

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska Act

“A house divided against itself cannot stand “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Emergence of Abraham Lincoln Republican Party – (new party) political party formed united under the belief that “no man can own another man...that slavery must be prohibited in the territories…that all new states must be free states…that the rights of our colored citizens…must be protected.”

Lincoln- Douglas Debates: 1858 Lincoln – the challenger decries “Southern plot” to extend slavery promises to work for slavery’s extinction casts slavery as a moral problem, not just political Douglas – the incumbent (already a senator) accuses Lincoln of favoring equality Lincoln loses election, gains national reputation “THE FIGHT MUST GO ON.”

Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat) (Constitutional Union) Election of 1860: Main Candidates Abraham Lincoln (Republican) John Breckinridge (Southern Democrat) Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat) John Bell (Constitutional Union) * Lincoln won the election.

Election Results Lincoln wins with just 40% of the votes 10 southern states did not put his name on the ballot The South realizes that they have no power left in the government and that ending slavery would be a goal of the new president. Possibility of secession. A Senate committee was formed to work out a compromise and save the Union

John C. Crittenden

Lincoln’s View on Slavery December 20, 1860 Interview with Lincoln Promised not to interfere with slavery in the South. He would support the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law. Under no circumstance would he allow slavery to spread into the new territories.

Secession December 20, 1860

Secession In response to Lincoln’s victory, the southern states seceded from the Union, (the same day as his interview) eventually forming the Confederate States of America (or the Confederacy). States in order of their secession: South Carolina – Dec. 20, 1860 Mississippi – Jan. 9, 1861 Florida – Jan. 10, 1861 Alabama – Jan. 1, 1861 Georgia – Jan. 19, 1861 Louisiana – Jan. 26, 1861 Texas – Feb. 1, 1861 Virginia – Apr. 17, 1861 Arkansas – May 6, 1861 North Carolina – May 20, 1861 Tennessee – June 8, 1861 “Henceforth, the watchword of every uncompromising abolitionist, of every friend of God and liberty, must be, both in a religious and political sense — 'NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS‘”

Lincoln’s Inaugural Address In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, and defend it.“ I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.