Secession and War

Secession and War

15-4

Objectives

• Learn how the 1860 election led to the breakup of the Union.

• Learn why secession led to Civil War.

1860 Election

In 1860, the primary issue would be slavery. It had ripped apart the Democratic Party, and was on the brink of destroying the nation. Four candidates emerged.

Stephen Douglas

The Northern Democrats chose the Illinois senator who backed popular sovereignty.

John C. BreckinridgeThe Southern Democrats choice was a Kentuckian who supported slavery and the Dred Scott Decision.

John BellThe Constitution Union Party, moderates from the north and south, nominated John Bell of Tennessee.

Abraham LincolnAllowing slavery where it already existed, but oppossing its expansion, Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln.

Election ResultsOn November 6, 1860, Lincoln wins 18 states, 180 of 303 electoral votes, despite his name not being on the ballot in 11 southern states.

SecessionThe election results clearly showed how the south now knew they could be out voted by the north. Talk of secession began to increase. On December 20, South Carolina held a convention and voted to secede from the Union.

More States SecedeNot long after South Carolina seceded, they were joined by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

Confederate States of AmericaOn February 4, 1861, delegates from the seceding states met in

Montgomery Alabama, form a new country.

Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis, Senator from Mississippi is chosen as President. Alexander Stevens from Georgia selected as Vice President.

Confederate ActionsBelieving that all government property belonged to the states that had seceded, the South began to sieze various instillations

such as forts, post offices, government buildings.

Lame DuckWhile this was happening, Buchanan did nothing. He was waiting to let Lincoln handle these issues.

Fort SumterOne of the last posts held by the North was Fort Sumter in

Charleston, South Carolina.

Robert AndersonMajor Robert Anderson, from Kentucky, was sent to command the garrison.

P. G. T. BeauregardCommanding the Southern forces was Pierre Gustav Toutant Beauregard, a former student of Anderson’s.

WarAfter weeks of tension, the shooting war began on April 12, 1861 at 4:30 am.

SurrenderAfter 33 hours of bombardment, Anderson surrenders.

Lincoln’s ReactionOn April 15, Lincoln declares an “insurrection” and calls for 75,000 volunteers.

Upper South SecedesOutraged at the thought of Northern troops marching across their states, the upper South states of North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee secede. Days later, Virginia secedes.

WarOn April 29, the Confederate States declare war on the United States.