The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Took place in the summer of 1858

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Took place in the summer of 1858 Seven Debates-each debate took place in a separate congressional district

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Took place in the summer of 1858 Seven Debates-each debate took place in a separate congressional district Lincoln established his reputation as anti-slavery

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Took place in the summer of 1858 Seven Debates-each debate took place in a separate congressional district Lincoln established his reputation as anti-slavery Douglas was vague enough on slavery to win the election

The 1860 Presidential candidates

John Bell Constitutional Union The 1860 Presidential candidates

John Breckenridge Southern Democratic John Bell Constitutional Union The 1860 Presidential candidates

John Breckenridge Southern Democratic Stephen Douglas Northern Democratic John Bell Constitutional Union The 1860 Presidential candidates

John Breckenridge Southern Democratic Stephen Douglas Northern Democratic Abraham Lincoln Republican John Bell Constitutional Union The 1860 Presidential candidates

The Winner!

(as if you didn’t know)

Lincoln180 electoral votes Breckenridge 72 electoral votes Bell 39 electoral votes Douglas 12 electoral votes

Painting of the White House, circa 1820

One of the first photos of the White House, circa 1845

The Capitol dome under construction at the time of Lincoln’s Inauguration

Between Lincoln’s election in November, 1860 and his inauguration in March, 1861 four months passed.

Throughout November, 1860 every Southern state, led by South Carolina had begun moving toward secession.

Between Lincoln’s election in November, 1860 and his inauguration in March, 1861 four months passed. Throughout November, 1860 every Southern state, led by South Carolina had begun moving toward secession. On December, Congress resumed after their Christmas break and President Buchanan said…

Between Lincoln’s election in November, 1860 and his inauguration in March, 1861 four months passed. Throughout November, 1860 every Southern state, led by South Carolina had begun moving toward secession. On December, Congress resumed after their Christmas break and President Buchanan said… I deplore this talk of secession, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m only the President after all…

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina

Mississippi

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia Arkansas

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia Arkansas Tennessee

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia Arkansas Tennessee North Carolina

Secession begins December 6 th, 1860:South Carolina Mississippi Florida Alabama Georgia Louisiana Texas Virginia Arkansas Tennessee North Carolina Smelly Mister Frankenstein Almost Grabbed Little Thumbtacks; Very Accurate Tiny Nails

Fort Sumter Following secession by the first 7 Southern states, On December 26, South Carolina demanded the US Army leave its facilities around Charleston Harbor. The US Army consolidated their forces in Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter Following secession by the first 7 Southern states, On December 26, South Carolina demanded the US Army leave its facilities around Charleston Harbor. The US Army consolidated their forces in Fort Sumter. President Buchanan tried sending a relief boat to the Fort with food and supplies but it was repulsed by cannon fire from Confederate troops.

While the siege at Fort Sumter continued and tensions between North and South escalated, Lincoln finally took office. At his Inauguration Lincoln mainly addressed the South and tried to calm their fears. He stated that he did not have to power to end slavery, that he would not be the first to use force, that he would uphold the Fugitive Slave Act, and that the secession that had already taken place was not valid, as the North had not agreed to the split.

On April 12 Lincoln informed General Pickens of South Carolina that he was sending relief ships to resupply the fort.

On April 12 Lincoln informed General Pickens of South Carolina that he was sending relief ships to resupply the fort Pickens sent an ultimatum to the fort before the relief ships arrived:

On April 12 Lincoln informed General Pickens of South Carolina that he was sending relief ships to resupply the fort Pickens sent an ultimatum to the fort before the relief ships arrived: Evacuate Fort Sumter Immediately!

On April 12 Lincoln informed General Pickens of South Carolina that he was sending relief ships to resupply the fort Pickens sent an ultimatum to the fort before the relief ships arrived: Evacuate Fort Sumter Immediately! No Way!

34 hours later…

Okay, we give up! 34 hours later…

In this first battle of the Civil War there were no fatalities. Major Anderson agreed to “evacuate” the fort (not surrender it), and arranged a 100 cannon salute for the departing army.

Sadly, one of the cannons exploded midway through the procession.

In this first battle of the Civil War there were no fatalities. Major Anderson agreed to “evacuate” the fort (not surrender it), and arranged a 100 cannon salute for the departing army. Sadly, one of the cannons exploded midway through the procession. The first two fatalities of the Civil war were accidental