Transcript The Election of 1860

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
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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?
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Anger and bitterness were driving the North
and the South farther apart than ever.
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Could a new President hold the country
together?
The Question of Slavery
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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
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Stephen Douglas argued that western
settlers should decide for themselves
whether to allow slavery. (Popular
Sovereignty)
Vote for John Breckinridge
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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
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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
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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
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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
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80% average approval of
secession in state conventions
Declarations made it clear
slavery was underlying cause
Defense of secession based
on 2 arguments:
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State sovereignty preceded
national sovereignty
Right of revolution
A New Country
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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
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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
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Lincoln’s Election
Slavery (the main issue!)
Failure to Compromise
Cotton gin
Dred Scott v. Sanford
The War Begins
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Lincoln’s decision to resupply Ft. Sumter was
stroke of genius
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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