THE UNION DISSOLVES Abraham Lincoln the 1860 Election

THE UNION DISSOLVES Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, & the future of the Union

1860 Election Candidates

ELECTION OF 1860

1860 ELECTION DIVIDED UNION

1860 ELECTION DEMOCRATS SPLIT & UNION COLLAPSES Debate over slavery in the Western territory tore the Democratic Party apart Northern Democrats: support popular sovereignty Stephen Douglas = Candidate Southern Democrats: wanted party to uphold Dred Scott decision & endorse federal slave code for the territories - John C. Breckinridge = Candidate Alarmed at danger to the Union, new party created = the Constitutional Union Party - John Bell = Candidate Republican Victory – Lincoln: Democratic votes are split between Douglas & Breckinridge, so he wins despite not having Southern support IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF SECESSION

DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION Dissolution of the Union began with South Carolina, where shortly after the 1860 election, voted for the Ordinance of Secession Followed by more Southern states by 1861, including: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, & Texas Secession = withdrawal from the Union Secede = to leave or withdraw With new Constitution come rejection of nullification = theory that the states could declare a federal law invalid SOUTHERNERS FELT SECESSION WAS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY TRADITION & WERE FIGHTING FOR AMERICAN RIGHTS

THE CONFEDERACY = The Confederate States of America: formed by delegates from the seceding states Drafted a constitution based mostly on the U. S. Constitution, but with some important changes: Each state was independent Guaranteed the existence of slavery in Confederate territory Banned protective tariffs Limited presidency to single 6 yr term

JEFFERSON DAVIS Former Mississippi Senator chosen as President of the Confederacy “The time for compromise has now passed. The South is determined to. . . make all who oppose her smell southern powder and feel Southern steel. ”

Lincoln’s Inaugural Address 1861: Lincoln repeats commitment not to interfere with slavery where it existed but insisted that “the Union of these States is perpetual. ” Lincoln did not threaten the seceded states, but said he intended to “hold, occupy, and possess” federal property in those states. “In your hands, my dissatisfied countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without yourselves being the aggressors…We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. ”

The Civil War Breaks Out. Fort Sumter Falls Lincoln announces intends to resupply Ft Sumter Davis dilemma: tolerating fed troops in South’s vital harbor unacceptable for sovereign nation (as South now saw itself) BUT firing on supply ship war with Union Davis decides to take Ft Sumter before supplies arrive, tells Major Robert Anderson to surrender (April, 1861) Anderson finally surrender after 33 hrs of bombardment The Civil War had begun!

CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR North – Industry v. South –agriculture/cotton Economic & social differences States v. Federal Rights Nullification & secession issue after Constitution ratified Abolitionist Movement Northerners sympathize with anti-slavery movement Kansas Nebraska Act Violence breaks out 1860 Election of Lincoln anti-slavery South Carolina secedes http: //americanhistory. about. com/od/civilwarmenu/a/cause_civil_war. ht m