The Road to the Civil War

Republicans Challenge Slavery People were looking for a new political party that would share concerns about the spread of slavery In 1854 a group gathered in Michigan formed the Republican Party This party would take a strong stand on ending the spread of slavery

Republican Party It asked for: 1.Cancellation of the Fugitive Slave Law 2.Repeal of the Kansas-Nebraska Act

Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott, a slave, was taken by his master from the slave state of Missouri into free territory After a few years he was taken back to Missouri Scott sued for his freedom Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the majority opinion that said, “a black man has no rights that a white man was bound to respect.”

Dred Scott Decision Supreme Court ruled that Scott, being a slave, was not a citizen and therefore did not have the right to sue in federal court Slaves are property and a person can not be deprived of their property Slaves can be taken into any territory Made all of the compromises unconstitutional Slavery could extend to all territories

Dred Scott Decision

The Rise of “Honest Abe” Lincoln is from Illinois – Opposes slavery – Self- educated – Lawyer – Politician – Runs unsuccessfully for several offices

Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Lincoln ran for US Senate Loses the election to Stephen Douglas Lincoln becomes a national figure Possible candidate for president in 1860

John Brown’s Raid Fanatical abolitionist Participated in “Bleeding Kansas” Leads 18 men to Harper’s Ferry, VA in 1859 Goal is to seize government arsenal to start slave rebellion Stopped, but becomes symbol of the anti-slavery cause

Abraham Lincoln Republican ** 1860 Presidential Election John Bell Constitutional Union Stephen A. Douglas Northern Democrat John C. Breckinridge Southern Democrat

Election of Lincoln (1860) Lincoln wins the election (he was not even on the ballot in 10 Southern states)

South’s Reaction to Lincoln’s Election South is fearful that Lincoln will: 1.Abolish slavery and the Southern way of life – Ruin the South economically – Ruin the South culturally 2.Take away their voice in the federal government – Ruin the South politically Southern leaders threaten to secede the Union if Lincoln is elected.

“Secessionitis” By April 1861, eleven southern states would secede the Union and form the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis is elected President of the CSA

Lincoln’s Inauguration March Lincoln’s first inauguration speech Spoke to the people of the South to preserve the Union and prevent the out break of war

Fort Sumter- Opening Shots The CSA starts to seize US military installations throughout the South Major Robert Anderson is in command of US forces in Charleston, SC He moves his men stationed in Charleston to Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor Confederates ask for forts surrender

Lincoln’s Dilemma Ft. Sumter is running low on supplies Option 1: Re-supply the fort – Might make more states secede and spark a war Option 2: Do nothing – Lincoln looks weak and the Fort will fall into southern hands

Fort Sumter Lincoln sends a supply ship with food only Confederates must take the fort while the Union supplies are low April 12, 1861, 4:30 am: – Confederate troops fire on the Fort

Fort Sumter Anderson surrenders after a 34 hour bombardment (not one man was killed The Civil War has arrived!