Transcript The Election of 1860

The Election of 1860
The South Reacts
The Civil War Begins
The Election of 1860
• Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln
• Democrats split
– Northern Democrats – Stephen Douglas
– Southern Democrats – John Breckenridge
• New party named Constitutional Union
Party chose John Bell (moderate who
wanted to keep the Union)
• Lincoln was elected as President.
The South Reacts
• Southerners believed that the election of Lincoln meant
the South no longer had a voice in government
• Senator John Crittenden of KY made a last effort for a
compromise.
– Suggested an amendment that made the Missouri Compromise
line extend to the Pacific Ocean.
– Idea was to make the amendment unamendable (one that could
not be changed) South could have slaves forever.
– Did NOT please Southerners because they felt an abolitionist
was in the White House and they had to secede – break away
from the Union.
States Rights
• In Dec. of 1860, South Carolina became the first
state to secede (break away from Union)
• 1861- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Texas also seceded.
• Formed the nation the Confederate States of
America
• Jefferson Davis became their president.
The Civil War Begins!
• When Lincoln took office he said, “In YOUR
hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not
in MINE, is the momentous issue of civil
war…We are not enemies, but friends. We must
not be enemies. Though passion may have
strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”
– Lincoln, First Inaugural Address
What does he mean?
• Civil War – war between people of the same
country.
Fort Sumter
• Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861)
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Confederates demanded that Fort Sumter surrender
Union troops refused
Confederates opened fire
April 13 – Union surrendered
Started the 4 year war
4 more states join the Confederacy
after the Battle of Fort Sumter
(AK, TN, VA, NC)