A Nation Divided Against Itself

Objective: Evaluate the final catalysts that sparked the Civil War.

The Election of 1860 As the election approached, it became clear of two things –1. The majority of Northerners would not accept leadership by a Southerner –2. The Southerners announced that they would not accept a leader from the antislavery Republicans So who would...or could...be President?

The Contenders For the Democrats: From the South Pro Slavery From the North Popular Sovereignty Represented the Border states Moderate Delaware Maryland Missouri Kentucky

For the Republicans…

The Election No longer national political parties –The division between North and South was beyond repair Southern Ballots were between Bell and Breckinridge Northerners voted for Lincoln or Douglas

The Results

The Lower South Secedes Southerners were outraged –Secessionists, those who wanted the South to leave the Union Join voluntarily, leave voluntarily Knew Republicans could legally get rid of slavery December 20, 1860: SC secedes

The Confederate States of America Shortly after SC seceded, the other Lower South States followed Created a new nation: The Confederate States of America (the Confederacy) –Jefferson Davis

Attempt for Prevention Last-Minute compromises fail: –Sen. John J Crittenden (KY) proposed a plan where slavery would be recognized under 36°30’ N President-Elect Lincoln convinced the Senate to reject it –Horace Greeley proposed letting the states secede in peace Offended Union supporter and businessmen –How could the US continue to function if its members could come and go as they please?

Lincoln Becomes President At his inauguration, Lincoln stated: –1) Civil war was in the hands of the people, while he was responsible to preserve, protect and defend the US –2) He would not attack the South, if a war was going to start he would let them be the aggressors –3) Promised to defend the property of the Government

Fort Sumter Fort Sumter : Union fort off Charleston, SC –T–The CSA had fired on supply ships –L–Lincoln attempts aid –C–CSA calls for the surrender of Fort Sumter April 12, 1861: Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard fires on the fort –S–Sumter is forced to Surrender

The War Begins –Lincoln calls for troops to prepare for war, –The South views this as a hostile act--- declaring war on the US –The Upper South Secedes and joins the 8 states of the Confederacy (12 in all) Question: Could the Union be restored through force?

In Review: How did the election of 1860 demonstrate the split between the North and the South? What concerns led the Lower South to secede from the Union? What event started the Civil War?