Download 15-4 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. Breckinridge
The Southern Democrats choice
was a Kentuckian who
supported slavery and the Dred
Scott Decision.
John Bell
The Constitution Union Party,
moderates from the north and
south, nominated John Bell of
Tennessee.
Abraham Lincoln
Allowing slavery where it already
existed, but oppossing its
expansion, Republicans
nominated Abraham Lincoln.
Election Results
On November 6, 1860, Lincoln
wins 18 states, 180 of 303
electoral votes, despite his
name not being on the ballot in
11 southern states.
Secession
The 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 Secede
Not long after South Carolina seceded, they were joined by
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
Confederate States of America
On February 4, 1861, delegates from the seceding states met in
Montgomery Alabama, form a new country.
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis, Senator from
Mississippi is chosen as
President. Alexander Stevens
from Georgia selected as Vice
President.
Confederate Actions
Believing 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 Duck
While this was happening,
Buchanan did nothing. He was
waiting to let Lincoln handle
these issues.
Fort Sumter
One of the last posts held by the North was Fort Sumter in
Charleston, South Carolina.
Robert Anderson
Major Robert Anderson, from
Kentucky, was sent to command
the garrison.
P. G. T. Beauregard
Commanding the Southern forces
was Pierre Gustav Toutant
Beauregard, a former student of
Anderson’s.
War
After weeks of tension, the shooting war began on April 12, 1861 at 4:30 am.
Surrender
After 33 hours of bombardment,
Anderson surrenders.
Lincoln’s Reaction
On April 15, Lincoln declares an
“insurrection” and calls for
75,000 volunteers.
Upper South Secedes
Outraged 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.
War
On April 29, the Confederate
States declare war on the
United States.