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 (North against slavery).

• 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• 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)– 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)