Chapter 10 Section 5Chapter 10 Section 5

A Nation Divided Against ItselfA Nation Divided Against Itself

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Main IdeaMain Idea• After Lincoln's election as President in 1860, seven After Lincoln's election as President in 1860, seven

southern states left the Union. southern states left the Union. • In April 1861, the first shots were fired, and the In April 1861, the first shots were fired, and the

nation plunged into civil war.nation plunged into civil war.• As 1860 began and a new presidential election As 1860 began and a new presidential election

approached, it was clear that most Northerners approached, it was clear that most Northerners would not want a Southern president.would not want a Southern president.

• Southerners would not accept a leader from the Southerners would not accept a leader from the North. North.

• Could the Union survive this 1860 election???Could the Union survive this 1860 election???04/21/23 2

Lincoln, Politics, and SlaveryLincoln, Politics, and Slavery

• A frontier upbringingA frontier upbringing– Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room cabin near Louisville, Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room cabin near Louisville,

Kentucky, to poor parents who owned no slaves. Lincoln’s parents Kentucky, to poor parents who owned no slaves. Lincoln’s parents opposed slavery, and they moved to the Indiana Territory in 1816, opposed slavery, and they moved to the Indiana Territory in 1816, settling near the Ohio River. settling near the Ohio River.

• Lincoln’s early politicsLincoln’s early politics – In 1834, at 25, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, serving In 1834, at 25, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, serving

four terms. Lincoln studied law at home, becoming licensed to practice four terms. Lincoln studied law at home, becoming licensed to practice law in 1836. In 1842, he married Mary Todd, the daughter of a wealthy law in 1836. In 1842, he married Mary Todd, the daughter of a wealthy Kentucky slaveholder. By then he was practicing law full-time. Kentucky slaveholder. By then he was practicing law full-time.

• Lincoln in CongressLincoln in Congress– In 1846 Lincoln successfully ran for Congress. Lincoln charged In 1846 Lincoln successfully ran for Congress. Lincoln charged

President Polk, a slaveholding Democrat, with starting the Mexican-President Polk, a slaveholding Democrat, with starting the Mexican-American War in order to spread slavery. Lincoln opposed slavery, but American War in order to spread slavery. Lincoln opposed slavery, but he believed each state had to decide. Lincoln’s proposal for he believed each state had to decide. Lincoln’s proposal for compensation emancipation received little support, and he resigned compensation emancipation received little support, and he resigned from Congress in 1849 and returned home to practice law. from Congress in 1849 and returned home to practice law.

Lincoln and Douglas ClashLincoln and Douglas Clash

Lincoln helped organize the Illinois Republican Lincoln helped organize the Illinois Republican Party in 1856. He opposed Stephen Douglas’s bid Party in 1856. He opposed Stephen Douglas’s bid for a third term in the U.S. Senate. Lincoln spoke for a third term in the U.S. Senate. Lincoln spoke eloquently at his nomination, taking the most eloquently at his nomination, taking the most radical stance against slavery with the prediction radical stance against slavery with the prediction ““A house divided against itself cannot standA house divided against itself cannot stand.”.”

Lincoln Lincoln returnsreturns

After the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, After the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Lincoln returned to public life. Lincoln returned to public life.

““A house A house divided”divided”

The debates were a series of public meetings The debates were a series of public meetings where Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated the where Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated the issues of their Senate campaign. While Douglas issues of their Senate campaign. While Douglas spoke with great flair, Lincoln’s manner was mild. spoke with great flair, Lincoln’s manner was mild. His strength lay in the logic and reasoning of his His strength lay in the logic and reasoning of his ideas.ideas.

Lincoln-Lincoln-Douglas Douglas debatesdebates

Lincoln and Douglas ClashLincoln and Douglas Clash

The Freeport DoctrineThe Freeport Doctrine• The second debate was the The second debate was the

most critical. most critical. • Lincoln challenged Douglas to Lincoln challenged Douglas to

explain how people could use explain how people could use popular sovereignty to keep popular sovereignty to keep slavery out of a place when slavery out of a place when the the Dred ScottDred Scott decision had decision had said they could not. said they could not.

• Douglas’s reply came to be Douglas’s reply came to be known as the Freeport known as the Freeport Doctrine. “Doctrine. “If the people are If the people are opposed to slavery they will opposed to slavery they will elect representatives to that elect representatives to that body who will by unfriendly body who will by unfriendly legislation . . . prevent the legislation . . . prevent the introduction of it into their introduction of it into their midst.”midst.”

Lincoln’s social views Lincoln’s social views • Lincoln stressed the Lincoln stressed the

immorality of slavery in the immorality of slavery in the debates. debates.

• Douglas referred to Lincoln’s Douglas referred to Lincoln’s party as Black Republicans party as Black Republicans and painted an image of a and painted an image of a society where the races were society where the races were equal, pressing Lincoln on equal, pressing Lincoln on citizenship for blacks.citizenship for blacks.

• Backed into a corner, Lincoln Backed into a corner, Lincoln said, said, “I will say that I am not, “I will say that I am not, nor have ever been in favor of nor have ever been in favor of bringing about in any way bringing about in any way the social and political the social and political equality of the white and equality of the white and black races.”black races.”

The Debates’ SignificanceThe Debates’ Significance

• Deciding who wonDeciding who won– Douglas retained his Senate seat, but most historians judge Lincoln Douglas retained his Senate seat, but most historians judge Lincoln

to have won the debates. He had argued the more famous Douglas to have won the debates. He had argued the more famous Douglas to a draw and in the process made himself a national figure. to a draw and in the process made himself a national figure.

• SupportersSupporters – Douglas’s statements caused him to lose support of southern Douglas’s statements caused him to lose support of southern

Democrats, which proved critical when he faced Lincoln again in Democrats, which proved critical when he faced Lincoln again in the presidential election. Lincoln’s moderate positions increased the presidential election. Lincoln’s moderate positions increased his standing among northerners, but southerners still thought his standing among northerners, but southerners still thought Lincoln was a serious threat to slavery. Lincoln was a serious threat to slavery.

• Speaking to the peopleSpeaking to the people– Lincoln and Douglas took their arguments directly to the people Lincoln and Douglas took their arguments directly to the people

and made the issues of the day clear to the nation. The outcome and made the issues of the day clear to the nation. The outcome directly affected the presidential election of 1860.directly affected the presidential election of 1860.

The Election of 1860-Democratic PartyThe Election of 1860-Democratic Party• the Democratic Party met in Charleston, South the Democratic Party met in Charleston, South

Carolina, in April 1860 to nominate its candidate for Carolina, in April 1860 to nominate its candidate for PresidentPresident

• it was still a national party-covered both N+S.it was still a national party-covered both N+S.• Southern Democrats argued that the government Southern Democrats argued that the government

should protect slavery in the territories, while should protect slavery in the territories, while Democrats from the North stood by the idea of popular Democrats from the North stood by the idea of popular sovereigntysovereignty

• In the months ahead, the split within the Democratic In the months ahead, the split within the Democratic Party became official. Party became official.

• Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, who wanted to expand slavery in the territories. who wanted to expand slavery in the territories.

• Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas of Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas of Illinois, who supported popular sovereignty.Illinois, who supported popular sovereignty.

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Democratic Split in 1860Democratic Split in 1860

John C. BreckinridgeJohn C. Breckinridge Stephen DouglasStephen Douglas

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Election of 1860-Constitutional Union Election of 1860-Constitutional Union PartyParty

• In the meantime, moderate In the meantime, moderate Southerners who had belonged to Southerners who had belonged to the Whig and American parties met the Whig and American parties met in Baltimore to form their own new in Baltimore to form their own new party. party.

• These Southerners, formed the These Southerners, formed the Constitutional Union Party. Constitutional Union Party.

• They nominated John Bell of They nominated John Bell of Tennessee, a moderate Tennessee, a moderate slaveholder, for Presidentslaveholder, for President

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Election of 1860-Republican PartyElection of 1860-Republican Party• The Republican Party met in The Republican Party met in

Chicago to nominate their Chicago to nominate their candidatecandidate

• Abraham Lincoln, offered more Abraham Lincoln, offered more moderate views on slavery while at moderate views on slavery while at the same time standing firmly the same time standing firmly against its spread into the against its spread into the territories. territories.

• Although Lincoln was little known Although Lincoln was little known outside his own state, the outside his own state, the convention delegates nominated convention delegates nominated him for President.him for President.

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Election of 1860 Election of 1860 • The November election proved that the division between The November election proved that the division between

North and South was beyond repair. North and South was beyond repair. • National parties no longer existedNational parties no longer existed• In the South, the race was between Bell and Breckinridge. In the South, the race was between Bell and Breckinridge.

(Lincoln's name did not even appear on many southern (Lincoln's name did not even appear on many southern ballots.) ballots.)

• In the North, voters chose between Lincoln and Douglas. In the North, voters chose between Lincoln and Douglas. • Lincoln won in every free state except New Jersey, where the Lincoln won in every free state except New Jersey, where the

electoral votes were split between the two candidates. electoral votes were split between the two candidates. • Breckinridge, meanwhile, won North Carolina, Arkansas, Breckinridge, meanwhile, won North Carolina, Arkansas,

Delaware, Maryland, and the states of the Lower South—Delaware, Maryland, and the states of the Lower South—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. South Carolina.

• Bell carried Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Bell carried Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. • Douglas took Missouri in addition to some of New Jersey's Douglas took Missouri in addition to some of New Jersey's

electoral voteselectoral votes04/21/23 11

Election of 1860:Election of 1860:Main CandidatesMain Candidates

Abraham Abraham LincolnLincoln

(Republican)(Republican)

Stephen Stephen Douglas Douglas

(Northern (Northern Democrat)Democrat)

John John BreckinridgeBreckinridge

(Southern (Southern Democrat)Democrat)

John BellJohn Bell(Constitutional (Constitutional

Union)Union)

* Lincoln won the election.* Lincoln won the election.

Election of 1860Election of 1860

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The Lower South SecedesThe Lower South Secedes• Southerners were outraged that a President could Southerners were outraged that a President could

be elected without any southern electoral votes. be elected without any southern electoral votes. • The national government, it seemed, had passed The national government, it seemed, had passed

completely out of their hands. completely out of their hands. • Planters and others who backed slavery called for Planters and others who backed slavery called for

the South to secede, or withdraw, from the Unionthe South to secede, or withdraw, from the Union• The secessionists, or those who wanted the South The secessionists, or those who wanted the South

to secede, argued that since the states had to secede, argued that since the states had voluntarily joined the United States, they also could voluntarily joined the United States, they also could choose to leave it.choose to leave it.

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Secession!Secession!

There was varied reaction in the North. Some felt the There was varied reaction in the North. Some felt the Union was better off with the slave states gone; others Union was better off with the slave states gone; others bore southerners no ill will. They merely wanted the South bore southerners no ill will. They merely wanted the South to go in peace. Still others worried about the long-term to go in peace. Still others worried about the long-term effects of letting secession proceed. President Lincoln effects of letting secession proceed. President Lincoln agreed, saying that no state could get out of the Union agreed, saying that no state could get out of the Union without the consent of the other states. without the consent of the other states.

Southerners and secessionSoutherners and secession

Southerners’ support for secession was not universal. In Southerners’ support for secession was not universal. In some conventions 30 to 40 percent voted against some conventions 30 to 40 percent voted against secession. Some wanted their states to issue a final set of secession. Some wanted their states to issue a final set of demands to the federal government and secede only if demands to the federal government and secede only if those demands were not met. But radical secessionism those demands were not met. But radical secessionism prevailed, and there would be a united resistance against prevailed, and there would be a united resistance against the U.S. government. the U.S. government.

Northern responseNorthern response

• • In response to Lincoln’s victory, the southern In response to Lincoln’s victory, the southern states seceded from the Union in 1861, forming the states seceded from the Union in 1861, forming the Confederate States of America.Confederate States of America.

Secession:

Original Confederate flagOriginal Confederate flag Eventual Confederate flagEventual Confederate flag

The Lower South SecedesThe Lower South Secedes• In response to Lincoln's victory, South In response to Lincoln's victory, South

Carolina left the Union officially on Carolina left the Union officially on December 20, 1860. December 20, 1860.

• Six other states of the Lower South Six other states of the Lower South followed over the next few weeks. followed over the next few weeks.

• In early February 1861, delegates from In early February 1861, delegates from the seven states met in Montgomery, the seven states met in Montgomery, Alabama. Alabama.

• There they created a new nation, the There they created a new nation, the Confederate States of America, also Confederate States of America, also called the Confederacy. called the Confederacy.

• They elected Jefferson Davis, a former They elected Jefferson Davis, a former senator from Mississippi, as their senator from Mississippi, as their presidentpresident

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• • Jefferson Davis Jefferson Davis was named the was named the president of the president of the Confederacy.Confederacy.

Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis South SecedingSouth Seceding

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Civil War: Civil War: UnionUnion v. v. ConfederacyConfederacy

The War StartsThe War Starts• The worry on many minds in early 1861 was what The worry on many minds in early 1861 was what

the federal government would do about the the federal government would do about the secession of the southern states. secession of the southern states.

• President Buchanan, serving his final months in President Buchanan, serving his final months in office, believed that secession was illegal. office, believed that secession was illegal.

• Still, he declared in a message to Congress that he Still, he declared in a message to Congress that he would not use force to prevent it.would not use force to prevent it.

• Abraham Lincoln, the one person with the power to Abraham Lincoln, the one person with the power to decide the government's response, left his home in decide the government's response, left his home in Springfield, Illinois, for Washington in early 1861. Springfield, Illinois, for Washington in early 1861.

• Lincoln believed secession was wrong.Lincoln believed secession was wrong.04/21/23 22

Lincoln Waits Lincoln Waits

Newspapers pressed Lincoln for a public Newspapers pressed Lincoln for a public statement that would calm the nation’s fears, but statement that would calm the nation’s fears, but Lincoln worried about making matters worse. Lincoln worried about making matters worse.

Privately, Lincoln tried to convince southern Privately, Lincoln tried to convince southern leaders they would not be interfered with, but he leaders they would not be interfered with, but he was also committed to preserving the Union. was also committed to preserving the Union. Outgoing president Buchanan agreed secession Outgoing president Buchanan agreed secession was illegal, but said the Constitution gave the was illegal, but said the Constitution gave the federal government no power to stop it. federal government no power to stop it.

Buchanan rejected a request to turn over federal Buchanan rejected a request to turn over federal property to South Carolina authorities, but he property to South Carolina authorities, but he promised he would not attempt to reinforce the promised he would not attempt to reinforce the forts. Federal troops were all moved to the forts. Federal troops were all moved to the stronger Fort Sumter. stronger Fort Sumter.

The War StartsThe War Starts• Lincoln emphasized his duty to enforce the laws of the United Lincoln emphasized his duty to enforce the laws of the United

States.States.• In his First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1861, Lincoln spoke In his First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1861, Lincoln spoke

directly to the Southerners: directly to the Southerners: • ““In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in

mine, is the momentous issue of civil war…. You have no oath mine, is the momentous issue of civil war…. You have no oath … to destroy the government, while I shall have the most … to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect, and defend it.” Lincoln solemn one to preserve, protect, and defend it.” Lincoln concluded his address with the following plea: concluded his address with the following plea:

• ““We must not be enemies. Though passion may have We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart … will yet swell the chorus patriot grave to every living heart … will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”the better angels of our nature.”04/21/23 24

Forming the Confederacy Forming the Confederacy

Davis becomes presidentDavis becomes president

• Jefferson Davis was not Jefferson Davis was not pleased with the news that pleased with the news that he had been selected as he had been selected as president of the new president of the new Confederacy. Confederacy.

• His sense of duty forced His sense of duty forced him to accept the position.him to accept the position.

• Davis gave an encouraging Davis gave an encouraging inaugural address, but inaugural address, but privately he worried. privately he worried.

Confederate Confederate governmentgovernment

• The new nation had no The new nation had no currency or even a press currency or even a press capable of making some.capable of making some.

• The first cabinet meeting The first cabinet meeting was held in a hotel room.was held in a hotel room.

• No issue seemed too petty No issue seemed too petty to debate. to debate.

• The Confederacy was on The Confederacy was on shaky ground.shaky ground.

Compromise FailsCompromise Fails

A Peace Convention began on February 4, A Peace Convention began on February 4, 1861, in Washington, D.C. Most of the 1861, in Washington, D.C. Most of the northern states were represented, as were all northern states were represented, as were all the remaining slave states except Arkansas. It the remaining slave states except Arkansas. It offered a plan similar to Crittenden’s, but the offered a plan similar to Crittenden’s, but the Senate rejected the plan.Senate rejected the plan.

The The Crittenden Crittenden

CompromiseCompromise

The The Crittenden CompromiseCrittenden Compromise proposed proposed amending the U.S. Constitution to ban slavery amending the U.S. Constitution to ban slavery north of the old Missouri Compromise line and north of the old Missouri Compromise line and guarantee that it would not be interfered with guarantee that it would not be interfered with south of that line. The plan was defeated by a south of that line. The plan was defeated by a vote of 25–23.vote of 25–23.

The Peace The Peace ConventionConvention

Lincoln became president on March 4, 1861. Lincoln became president on March 4, 1861. In his inaugural address, he quoted the In his inaugural address, he quoted the provisions of the Constitution that protected provisions of the Constitution that protected slavery and offered assurances that he would slavery and offered assurances that he would not interfere with the institution of slavery in not interfere with the institution of slavery in the South. the South.

Lincoln’s Lincoln’s InaugurationInauguration

Fort SumterFort Sumter• tension was mounting in the tension was mounting in the

waters outside Charleston, South waters outside Charleston, South Carolina. Carolina.

• Although South Carolina had Although South Carolina had seceded from the Union, federal seceded from the Union, federal troops continued to occupy Fort troops continued to occupy Fort Sumter, a federal fort on an island Sumter, a federal fort on an island in Charleston's harbor.in Charleston's harbor.

• A federal ship sent to supply the A federal ship sent to supply the fort in January had been forced to fort in January had been forced to turn back when Confederate forces turn back when Confederate forces fired on it. fired on it.

• Federal soldiers under the Federal soldiers under the command of Major Robert command of Major Robert Anderson were running out of Anderson were running out of supplies. supplies.

• If Lincoln did not resupply the fort, If Lincoln did not resupply the fort, it would have to be abandoned to it would have to be abandoned to the Confederatesthe Confederates

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• • Fort Sumter, Fort Sumter, South Carolina, South Carolina, was important was important because it because it guarded guarded Charleston harborCharleston harbor

* The Civil War had now begun!* The Civil War had now begun!

Fort Sumter

• • Therefore, the Therefore, the Confederates Confederates attacked, attacked, defeating the defeating the Union soldiersUnion soldiers..

Fort SumterFort Sumter• Lincoln struggled to come to a Lincoln struggled to come to a

decision. decision. • He had pledged to Southerners in his He had pledged to Southerners in his

Inaugural Address that “the Inaugural Address that “the government will not assail you. You government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors.” yourselves the aggressors.”

• Yet he had also taken an oath to Yet he had also taken an oath to defend government property. defend government property.

• Fort Sumter stood as a vital symbol Fort Sumter stood as a vital symbol of the Union he had sworn to of the Union he had sworn to preserve. preserve.

• To fight to keep the fort, or even to To fight to keep the fort, or even to send new troops there, might make send new troops there, might make him responsible for starting a war. him responsible for starting a war.

• Yet to abandon the fort would mean Yet to abandon the fort would mean acknowledging the authority of the acknowledging the authority of the Confederate government.Confederate government.

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Fort Sumter, S.C., April 4, 1861, under the Confederate flag.Fort Sumter, S.C., April 4, 1861, under the Confederate flag.

Fort SumterFort Sumter• Remaining true to both of his Remaining true to both of his

pledges, on April 6 Lincoln told the pledges, on April 6 Lincoln told the governor of South Carolina that he governor of South Carolina that he was sending food, but no soldiers or was sending food, but no soldiers or arms, to Fort Sumter. arms, to Fort Sumter.

• On April 10, before supplies could On April 10, before supplies could arrive, Confederate president Davis arrive, Confederate president Davis ordered General P.G.T. Beauregard ordered General P.G.T. Beauregard to demand that Fort Sumter to demand that Fort Sumter surrender. surrender.

• If Anderson refused, Beauregard If Anderson refused, Beauregard was to take it by force.was to take it by force.

• Anderson did refuse, and on April Anderson did refuse, and on April 12, 1861, Beauregard opened fire on 12, 1861, Beauregard opened fire on the fort. the fort.

• After a 34-hour bombardment, After a 34-hour bombardment, Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter to Confederate troops.to Confederate troops.

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Ruffin, Pvt. Edmund, Confederate soldier Ruffin, Pvt. Edmund, Confederate soldier who fired the first shot against Fort Sumterwho fired the first shot against Fort Sumter

Anderson, Maj. Robert, defender of Fort Anderson, Maj. Robert, defender of Fort SumterSumter

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Upper South SecedesUpper South Secedes• By firing on federal property, the By firing on federal property, the

Confederate states had committed Confederate states had committed an act of open rebellion. an act of open rebellion.

• As the defender of the As the defender of the Constitution, Lincoln had no Constitution, Lincoln had no choice but to respond.choice but to respond.

• When he called for volunteers to When he called for volunteers to fight the seceding states, fight the seceding states, Southerners saw his action as an Southerners saw his action as an act of war against them. act of war against them.

• The Upper South states of Virginia, The Upper South states of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas now seceded and joined Arkansas now seceded and joined the Lower South in the the Lower South in the Confederacy, while the western Confederacy, while the western counties of Virginia seceded from counties of Virginia seceded from the state to remain in the Union. the state to remain in the Union.

• For the time being, the four Border For the time being, the four Border States remained uncommitted to States remained uncommitted to either side in the struggle.either side in the struggle.

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