Secession The Nation Splits Apart
Lincoln Elected President Lincoln won every free state except New Jersey. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was the final straw for many southerners. Eleven states seceded from the Union. Four of these (Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee) did not secede until after the Battle of Fort Sumter that occurred on April 12, Lincoln won every free state except New Jersey. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was the final straw for many southerners. Eleven states seceded from the Union. Four of these (Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee) did not secede until after the Battle of Fort Sumter that occurred on April 12, 1861.
Order of Secession
Lincoln Asks for Union In his first speech as president, Lincoln called southerners his ‘fellow countrymen’ and said the southern states were still part of the nation. He also said the government would hold onto all of its property in the South (forts, roads, post offices). In his first speech as president, Lincoln called southerners his ‘fellow countrymen’ and said the southern states were still part of the nation. He also said the government would hold onto all of its property in the South (forts, roads, post offices).
Caught in the Middle The states of Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri were border states (between the North and South). Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee eventually decided to secede. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri decided to stay in the Union. People in Western Virginia who did not want to secede formed the new state of West Virginia, and remained in the Union. The states of Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri were border states (between the North and South). Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee eventually decided to secede. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri decided to stay in the Union. People in Western Virginia who did not want to secede formed the new state of West Virginia, and remained in the Union.
Violence in Maryland Many people in Maryland owned slaves and supported the Confederacy. Many elected officials in the state government were in favor of leaving the Union. If Maryland seceded along with Virginia, Washington, DC would be surrounded by Confederate states. Soldiers from Massachusetts were attacked by a mob as they traveled through Baltimore to Washington, DC. To keep Maryland in the Union, Lincoln placed Baltimore under military rule and arrested anybody who supported the Confederacy -- including 31 elected members of the state government. Many people in Maryland owned slaves and supported the Confederacy. Many elected officials in the state government were in favor of leaving the Union. If Maryland seceded along with Virginia, Washington, DC would be surrounded by Confederate states. Soldiers from Massachusetts were attacked by a mob as they traveled through Baltimore to Washington, DC. To keep Maryland in the Union, Lincoln placed Baltimore under military rule and arrested anybody who supported the Confederacy -- including 31 elected members of the state government.
The Baltimore riot of April 19, The first casualties of the Civil War occurred when the 6th Massachusetts Volunteers, the first regiment to respond to Lincoln's call for troops, was attacked by a pro-Confederate mob in Baltimore, Maryland, where a dozen civilians and four soldiers were killed. Maryland, despite deep divisions, remained in the Union, largely through the Federal government's use of force.
Strengths and Weaknesses Both the North and the South had strengths and weaknesses heading into the war. Use the information in Handouts 6 and 7, pages in American History text, and pages in Creating America text to complete a table listing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Both the North and the South had strengths and weaknesses heading into the war. Use the information in Handouts 6 and 7, pages in American History text, and pages in Creating America text to complete a table listing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.
North Strengths 106 million acres of farmland 110,000 factories 1,300,000 factory workers 22,000 miles of railroad 97% of nations weapons 22 million people Lincoln’s leadership 81% of nations bank deposits North Weaknesses Long supply lines to get materials to battles in South Fighting for an abstract idea (preserving the Union) Poor military leadership South Strengths “Home field advantage” - majority of battles were on southern soil Could fight a defensive war Superior military leadership Motivated to fight for cause Excellent soldiers South Weaknesses Smaller population Only 57 million acres of farmland Only 18,000 factories - fewer weapons and supplies Only 8,500 miles of rail