The Union Dissolves Chapter 8, Section 3

Main Idea All attempts at compromise between the North & South failed. Miserably. The outcome of the Election of 1860 triggers secession and the first shots of the Civil War

Republicans denounce John Brown as a vigilante Setting the Stage Republicans denounce John Brown as a vigilante Southerners blame the Republicans for John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry South: If John Brown opposes slavery, and the Republicans oppose slavery, then they worked together (a + b = c??) Atlanta Newspaper “anyone who doesn’t believe African slavery is a blessing is an enemy to the institution of the South”

The Democrats Split Northern Dems support popular sovereignty Southern Dems uphold Dred Scott decision create a federal slave code for territories Northern Dems nominated Stephen Douglas Southern Dems nominated John C. Breckenridge Current V.P.; agreed to endorse federal slave code Split in Democrats greatly improved Republican chances of winning the Presidency Southern radicals hoped Republicans won so the South would secede

Constitutional Union Party Many former Whigs were alarmed at the rising danger to the Union Nominated John Bell Former Tennessee Senator Platform uphold the Constitution AND the Union Appease both North & South… …or they had no “backbone”

Abraham Lincoln is Nominated Republicans had to sweep all Northern states to win the presidency Lincoln VERY popular after Lincoln-Douglas debates Campaign John Brown was mindless murderer Southern states had right to preserve slavery Transcontinental RR!! Higher tariffs (remember these?)

Election of 1860 Democratic vote was split (obvi.) Douglas least amount of electoral votes but 2nd most popular votes Breckenridge 2nd most electoral votes Lincoln won w/ 180 electoral votes Most popular votes (40%) Won every Northern state outright except… …New Jersey North voted Rep.; South voted Dem.

Secession Begins Southerners Lincoln’s election was a victory for abolitionists Believed secession was only way to save the South a tradition of American Revolution South Carolina 1st to secede on February 1, 1861 Remaining Lower South soon followed Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, & Texas Secession states seized all federal property within their borders mints, forts, & arsenals Only Fort Sumter (S.C.) & Fort Pickens (FL) remained under Federal control

Crittenden’s Compromise Many members of Congress were still willing to compromise to avoid civil war John J. Crittenden (KY) proposed amendments to Constitution Guarantee slavery where it already existed Reinstate Missouri Compromise line (36’30) extended to California border Lincoln asked Republicans to stand firm Compromise voted down

Born in the C.S.A Secession states hold a convention & declare themselves the Confederate States of America Elected Jefferson Davis as 1st President Former senator from Mississippi Inaugural address declared desire for war Drafted a constitution based on US but… Guaranteed slavery in Confederate territory Banned importation of slaves from another countries No protective tariffs Presidency= single, 6-year term

Lincoln’s Inaugural Address Repeated commitment not to interfere w/ slavery in the South Intended to occupy & possess all federal property in the rebelling states Continued to enforce federal laws & deliver mail Hoped for a peaceful resolution, but would not accept the southern states seceding

Fort Sumter Falls Lincoln informed the South that he was preparing to resupply Fort Sumter by ship Jefferson Davis planned to capture the fort before the resupply ships came & demanded its surrender Fort’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, refused April 12, 1861 Confederates bombarded the fort for 33 hours until Union forces finally surrendered No one was killed The Civil War had begun

This Means War NORTH: SOUTH: News of attack stirs widespread nationalism Lincoln asked for 75,000 volunteers More men turned out than could be equipped SOUTH: Davis asked for 100,000 volunteers Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, & Arkansas also secede Upper South did not want to leave Union, but did not want to fight their Lower South brethren

Hanging onto: Maryland If Maryland seceded Washington DC would be surrounded by Confederate territory Baltimore, MD pro-secession mobs attacked federal troops Lincoln imposed martial law on state Military-controlled gov’t limited civil rights Secessionists could be arrested & held w/o trial Maryland never seceded

Hanging Onto: Kentucky Kentucky divided over seceding Ohio River = strategically important Sept. 1861 Confederate occupation angered many Kentuckians Officially remained neutral throughout war Pro-Confederate Kentuckians form a rival gov’t & vote to secede Capital Bowling Green

Hanging Onto: Missouri Most citizens are pro-Confederacy State convention unanimously votes AGAINST secession Violent struggle broke out between convention delegates & pro-secession forces Lincoln sent in federal troops & preserved Missouri for the Union Lincoln willing to take constitutional risks to save the Union See: Maryland, martial law