Abraham Lincoln

Overview To understand the Civil War, you must be a student of Lincoln To understand the Civil War, you must be a student of Lincoln Witty Witty Charisma Charisma Captivating storyteller Captivating storyteller Analytical, logical Analytical, logical A humble visionary – see big picture A humble visionary – see big picture He was the right person at the right time and the country has been shaped by his leadership ever since He was the right person at the right time and the country has been shaped by his leadership ever since

Lincoln on Slavery “I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world – enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites – causes he real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves into an open war with the fundamental principles of civil liberty – criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self interest.”

Lincoln Douglas Debates Lincoln and Douglas debated seven times Lincoln and Douglas debated seven times Well attended Well attended Fan Fare Fan Fare Both men were excellent speakers and keen intellects Both men were excellent speakers and keen intellects Critical of one another Critical of one another Douglas said… Douglas said… People/states should have sovereignty over slavery People/states should have sovereignty over slavery House Divided speech radical House Divided speech radical Lincoln an Abolitionist – Black Republican who wants equality for Blacks Lincoln an Abolitionist – Black Republican who wants equality for Blacks Lincoln Lincoln No place in a democracy No place in a democracy Won’t abolish slavery, but won’t let it spread Won’t abolish slavery, but won’t let it spread Douglas want to extend slavery Douglas want to extend slavery

Lincoln’s plan to handle slavery The Union comes first: “Much as I hate slavery, I would consent to the extension of it rather than see the Union dissolved, just as I would consent to any great evil to avoid a greater one.” The Union comes first: “Much as I hate slavery, I would consent to the extension of it rather than see the Union dissolved, just as I would consent to any great evil to avoid a greater one.” Government can’t remove slavery Government can’t remove slavery Unconstitutional Unconstitutional Focused on stopping the spread of slavery Focused on stopping the spread of slavery Preserve opportunities for white workers Preserve opportunities for white workers Supported government funded expansion for white people Supported government funded expansion for white people

Freeport Doctrine Lincoln: Can people from a territory exclude slavery if they wished to do so? Lincoln: Can people from a territory exclude slavery if they wished to do so? Douglas: Yes… they could legislate to that end Douglas: Yes… they could legislate to that end Alienated Douglas from Southern Democrats Alienated Douglas from Southern Democrats Contradicted Dred Scott Contradicted Dred Scott Already mad at him for rejecting the Lecompton Constitution Already mad at him for rejecting the Lecompton Constitution Regardless, Lincoln will lose in 1858 Regardless, Lincoln will lose in 1858

Election of 1860 Republicans: Lincoln – moderate on slavery Republicans: Lincoln – moderate on slavery Democrats: Divided Democrats: Divided Northern Democrats: Stephan Douglas Northern Democrats: Stephan Douglas Southern Democrats: John Breckenridge Southern Democrats: John Breckenridge Constitutional Union Party: John Bell Constitutional Union Party: John Bell Lincoln not on southern ballots, but wins Lincoln not on southern ballots, but wins

Election Results of 1860

Southern Secession The Southern way of life in danger The Southern way of life in danger Draw parallel to 1776 Draw parallel to 1776 South Carolina on Dec. 20th, 1960 South Carolina on Dec. 20th, 1960 First Ordinances of Secession First Ordinances of Secession In Jan-Feb of 1861 – the following secede In Jan-Feb of 1861 – the following secede Georgia Georgia Florida Florida Alabama Alabama Mississippi Mississippi Louisiana Louisiana Texas Texas

Crittenden Compromise Dec 1860 Amendments to Constitution Amendments to Constitution Protect slavery where it exists Protect slavery where it exists 36* 30’ line - demarcation for slavery 36* 30’ line - demarcation for slavery Allow slavery on federal property (forts) and in Washington Allow slavery on federal property (forts) and in Washington Interstate slave trade – no federal interference Interstate slave trade – no federal interference No future amendments could override these No future amendments could override these Lincoln rejected it Lincoln rejected it Devalued all that the republicans stood for Devalued all that the republicans stood for Some Southerners rejected it as well. (Jeff Davis, Robert Toombs) They felt war was necessary and inevitable Some Southerners rejected it as well. (Jeff Davis, Robert Toombs) They felt war was necessary and inevitable

James Buchanan Pennsylvania – democrat - pro- Southern Pennsylvania – democrat - pro- Southern Felt “Black” Republicans were disunionists Felt “Black” Republicans were disunionists He aligned himself with Southern interests He aligned himself with Southern interests Lecompton Constitution Lecompton Constitution Dred Scott v. Sanford Dred Scott v. Sanford Opposition to Stephan Douglas Opposition to Stephan Douglas Disagreed with secession, but did not know how to react Disagreed with secession, but did not know how to react Did not support either side Did not support either side This made him an outsider to both northerners and southerners This made him an outsider to both northerners and southerners Felt it was not in federal govt’s power to force states back into the Union Felt it was not in federal govt’s power to force states back into the Union Said he would not use force Said he would not use force

Southern Organization Efforts Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States of America Feb 18th, 1861 Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States of America Feb 18th, 1861 Alexander Stevens - VP Alexander Stevens - VP Constitution – Mar 11, 1861 Constitution – Mar 11, 1861 Provisional Army – 10,000 troops Provisional Army – 10,000 troops They begin to seize federal forts in the South They begin to seize federal forts in the South

Inaugural Address He reaffirmed that he had no intention of interfering with slavery in the Southern States He reaffirmed that he had no intention of interfering with slavery in the Southern States He pledged … He pledged … to enforce the fugitive slave law to enforce the fugitive slave law he endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment protecting slavery in the states. he endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment protecting slavery in the states. Finally he said, “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” Finally he said, “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”