1. Warm Up –
What is nullification? Why did the Southern states attempt to use this idea?

2. States’ Rights
States’ rights: Belief that the state’s interests take precedence over interests of national government
Northern states believed that all states should abide by laws made by the national government
Southern states believed that states had right to govern themselves and decide what would be best for their own situation

3. Nullification
Those who favored states’ rights believed that states had the right to nullify any law they found unconstitutional (such as the tariff imposed by Congress in 1828 which hurt the South’s economy by requiring them to pay for items they imported from other countries).

4. The Role of Alexander Stephens
From Antebellum to Secession

5. Antebellum Period
Compromise of 1850, Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs and Stephens persuaded the state of Georgia to accept the compromise to keep the state in the Union.
This persuasiveness became known as the “Georgia Platform”
After the platform was adopted, these three individuals formed the Constitutional Union Party.
The Constitutional Party folded in 1852, and Stephens joined the Democratic Party

6. Election of 1860
Immediately after Lincoln’s election, Governor Joseph E. Brown called a legislative session to vote on secession.
The General Assembly was buzzing with arguments for and against secession.
Alexander Stephens argued against secession.
During Stephens speech, Thomas Cobb , Robert Toombs and many others interrupted him throughout his speech
Many conservative legislators loudly applauded Stephens call for caution

7. Secession and the Confederacy
South Carolina secedes December 1860
On January 19, 1861 Eugenius Nisbet proposed the secession ordinance bill and was passed.
On February 4, 1861 delegates from the states who seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Alabama and formed the Confederate States of America.
Jefferson Davis from Mississippi was elected President, Robert Toombs from Georgia was chosen as Secretary of State, and Alexander Stephens was named Vice-President.

8. Quick Write – what do you think of Alexander Stephens
Quick Write – what do you think of Alexander Stephens? Was he good or bad for Georgia? Explain.