The Election of 1860 Stuff in Red is “Need to Know”!

Civil War  A civil war is a war between people of the same country.  The American Civil War was fought to keep the South from leaving the Union.  Slavery was the major issue that separated the North from the South.

Choosing a New President In 1860 Americans prepared to choose a new President. They listened to speeches. They read newspapers. They watched parades. There was no Twitter or Television!

Why Worry? Anger and bitterness were driving the North and the South farther apart than ever. Could a new President hold the country together?

The Question of Slavery The spread of slavery west was all people seemed to talk about. (remember unit 4!) Three men were running for President: Stephen Douglas John Breckinridge Abraham Lincoln

Vote for Stephen Douglas Stephen Douglas argued that western settlers should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. (Popular Sovereignty)

Vote for John Breckinridge John Breckinridge thought that government should allow slavery everywhere in the West. He had strong support from people living in the South.

Vote for Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln spoke strongly against the spread of slavery. He promised not to end slavery in the South (but hoped that one day it would end there too), he did not want slavery to spread into new states.

The Southern View Many Southerners worried what would happen if Lincoln were elected. They believed their whole way of life was being attacked. Some said their states would secede if Lincoln were elected.

Election Day 1860 On November 6, 1860, Lincoln won the election. Southern leaders did not wait long until they carried out their threat. On December 20, South Carolina leaders declared that “ the United States of America is hereby dissolved.”

1860 Election Results

Secession 80% average approval of secession in state conventions Declarations made it clear slavery was underlying cause Defense of secession based on 2 arguments: State sovereignty preceded national sovereignty Right of revolution

A New Country South Carolina seceded from the Union. Six other states followed: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. These seven states formed a new country called the Confederate States of America.

The Confederacy These states elected Jefferson Davis to be the President of the newly formed country. The United States was now split in two.

Inauguration of Jefferson Davis

5 “Causes” of the Civil War Lincoln’s Election Slavery (the main issue!) Failure to Compromise Cotton gin Dred Scott v. Sanford

The War Begins Lincoln’s decision to resupply Ft. Sumter was stroke of genius Fulfilled Inaugural Address pledge to hold federal property in rebel states Forced rebels to make decision to start war Davis decided to take fort before resupply ships arrived Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down rebellion on April 15 Va., N.C., Tenn. & Ark. Seceded & joined CSA

The Attack on Ft. Sumter