Secession and War Chapter 16 Lesson 3

What was the importance of the election of 1860? Democrats are divided Northern Democrats vote for Stephen Douglas (supported popular sovereignty) Southern Democrats vote for John Breckenridge (supported slavery) Constitutional Unionists (didn’t take a side on slavery) nominate John Bell Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln Lincoln supported leaving slavery where it was and not allowing it letting it into new territories or states

What was the importance of the election of 1860? Lincoln won both the Electoral College vote as well as the Popular vote

What was the importance of the election of 1860? When Lincoln won the presidential election, many Southern states did not trust a Republican controlled Congress and Republican President to leave slavery alone Some wanted to compromise, calling for a reinforcement of the Missouri Compromise rule (all territories north of 36°, 30’ N would be free, all south would be slave) Many Republicans & Southerners refused to compromise on slavery By December 1860, South Carolina had seceded from the Union, BEFORE Lincoln was sworn into office

What was the importance of the election of 1860? By February 1861 Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia left the Union – they joined South Carolina and created a new country, the Confederate States of America – Jefferson Davis was chosen as their president Many southern states defended their right to secede Constitution is a contract between states & federal gov’t – if the fed wouldn’t enforce its laws (Fugitive Slave Act), the states didn’t need to stay with the Union Many Southerners were happy with secession as were some Northerners However, most Northerners & some Southerners were NOT

What did the attack on Fort Sumter signify? Built in 1829 on a man-made island in the middle of Charleston Harbor, Charleston SC 37 various cannons & mortars designed to protect the harbor from any incoming sailing ships

What did the attack on Fort Sumter signify? April 1861 – supply ships are heading to Fort Sumter to resupply food and provisions Lincoln notifies the SC gov’t of this and assures them it is NOT an attempt to attack Charleston Worried the Confederacy will attack, Lincoln orders a naval fleet to Fort Sumter to protect and resupply

What did the attack on Fort Sumter signify? Jefferson Davis orders the fort to be attacked on April 12, 1861 Confederate forces fired cannons on the fort for 34 straight hours Not one Union soldier was killed in the attack

What did the attack on Fort Sumter signify? March 5, 1861 – Lincoln gives his Inaugural Address He speaks directly to Southern states telling them he will still enforce US laws in the South and will keep control of US property (military bases, train depots, etc) He also tells them they can stop this march to civil war The choices of the Southern states are what brought on civil war, especially the choice to attack Fort Sumter The attack on Fort Sumter led President Lincoln to call for volunteers to join the US Army Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, & Arkansas respond to Lincoln by declaring secession from the union.