The Coming of the Civil War Chapter 14 Section 4 The Coming of the Civil War

The Nation Divides: The election of 1860 was almost here. Americans were nervous for the election because slavery left the nation divided.

Election of 1860: Republicans- Abraham Lincoln He became popular in the North Democrats- The north and south were split. South- supported slavery and picked Vice President John Breckinridge of Kentucky North- didn’t support slavery and chose Stephen Douglas for their candidate

Some southerners still hoped to get along with the North Some southerners still hoped to get along with the North. In addition,they formed the Constitutional Union Party and nominated John Bell of Tennessee. A lot of southerners didn’t like Douglas after he pleaded with southern voters to stay with the Union.

Who won?????? 40% of popular votes Lincoln won!!

Southern States Secede: They were afraid the President and Congress would go against everything they wanted,including slavery. South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union.On December 20,1860,the convention passed a declaration that “the union now subsisting between South Carolina and the other states,under the name of the United States of America’ is hereby dissolved.”

The Confederate States of America: Six more states followed South Carolina out of the Union. Not all southerners wanted to leave. Such as,Tennessee Senator Andrew Johnston and Texas Governor Sam Houston. In February,leaders of the seceding states met in Alabama to form a new nation called the Confederate States of America. When Lincoln took office in March,they already wrote a constitution and named former Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis as their President.

Civil War Begins: Lincoln told the seceded states that he meant no harm to them but he still stood strong about not making slavery worse than it already was. He was rejected by them and they started taking over post offices,forts,and other federal property.

Fort Sumter- Lincoln’s worst issue was with Fort Sumter Fort Sumter- Lincoln’s worst issue was with Fort Sumter. He sent them food because he didn’t want more states to secede.

Confederate leaders captured the fort while it was isolated Confederate leaders captured the fort while it was isolated. They finally just lit the fort on fire and waited for them to surrender. This is what started the Civil War.

Vocab: Civil War- a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country Accommodation- a settlement or compromise Isolate- remain alone or apart from others

By:Riley DeMay