The Union Dissolves

1. The Union Dissolves Chapter 8, Section 3

2. Main Idea • All attempts at compromise between the North & South failed. Miserably. • The outcome of the Election of 1860 triggers secession and the first shots of the Civil War

3. Setting the Stage • Republicans denounce John Brown as a vigilante • Southerners blame the Republicans for John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry • South: If John Brown opposes slavery, and the Republicans oppose slavery, then they worked together (a + b = c??) • Atlanta Newspaper “anyone who doesn’t believe African slavery is a blessing is an enemy to the institution of the South”

5. The Democrats Split • Northern Dems support popular sovereignty • Southern Dems uphold Dred Scott decision • create a federal slave code for territories • Northern Dems nominated Stephen Douglas • Southern Dems nominated John C. Breckenridge • Current V.P.; agreed to endorse federal slave code • Split in Democrats greatly improved Republican chances of winning the Presidency • Southern radicals hoped Republicans won so the South would secede

7. Constitutional Union Party • Many former Whigs were alarmed at the rising danger to the Union • Nominated John Bell • Former Tennessee Senator • Platform uphold the Constitution AND the Union • Appease both North & South… • …or they had no “backbone”

8. Abraham Lincoln is Nominated • Republicans had to sweep all Northern states to win the presidency • Lincoln VERY popular after Lincoln-Douglas debates • Campaign • John Brown was mindless murderer • Southern states had right to preserve slavery • Transcontinental RR!! • Higher tariffs (remember these?)

9. Election of 1860 • Democratic vote was split (obvi.) • Douglas least amount of electoral votes but 2nd most popular votes • Breckenridge 2nd most electoral votes • Lincoln won w/ 180 electoral votes • Most popular votes (40%) • Won every Northern state outright except… • …New Jersey North voted Rep.; South voted Dem.

10. Secession Begins • Southerners Lincoln’s election was a victory for abolitionists • Believed secession was only way to save the South • a tradition of American Revolution • South Carolina 1st to secede on February 1, 1861 • Remaining Lower South soon followed Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, & Texas • Secession states seized all federal property within their borders mints, forts, & arsenals • Only Fort Sumter (S.C.) & Fort Pickens (FL) remained under Federal control

12. Crittenden’s Compromise • Many members of Congress were still willing to compromise to avoid civil war • John J. Crittenden (KY) proposed amendments to Constitution • Guarantee slavery where it already existed • Reinstate Missouri Compromise line (36’30) extended to California border • Lincoln asked Republicans to stand firm • Compromise voted down

13. Born in the C.S.A • Secession states hold a convention & declare themselves the Confederate States of America • Elected Jefferson Davis as 1st President • Former senator from Mississippi • Inaugural address declared desire for war • Drafted a constitution based on US but… • Guaranteed slavery in Confederate territory • Banned importation of slaves from another countries • No protective tariffs • Presidency= single, 6-year term

15. Lincoln’s Inaugural Address • Repeated commitment not to interfere w/ slavery in the South • Intended to occupy & possess all federal property in the rebelling states • Continued to enforce federal laws & deliver mail • Hoped for a peaceful resolution, but would not accept the southern states seceding

17. Fort Sumter Falls • Lincoln informed the South that he was preparing to resupply Fort Sumter by ship • Jefferson Davis planned to capture the fort before the resupply ships came & demanded its surrender • Fort’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, refused • April 12, 1861 Confederates bombarded the fort for 33 hours until Union forces finally surrendered • No one was killed • The Civil War had begun

21. This Means War • NORTH: • News of attack stirs widespread nationalism • Lincoln asked for 75,000 volunteers • More men turned out than could be equipped • SOUTH: • News of attack stirs widespread nationalism • Davis asked for 100,000 volunteers • Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, & Arkansas also secede • Upper South did not want to leave Union, but did not want to fight their Lower South brethren

23. Hanging onto: Maryland • If Maryland seceded Washington DC would be surrounded by Confederate territory • Baltimore, MD pro-secession mobs attacked federal troops • Lincoln imposed martial law on state • Military-controlled gov’t limited civil rights • Secessionists could be arrested & held w/o trial • Maryland never seceded

25. Hanging Onto: Kentucky • Kentucky divided over seceding • Ohio River = strategically important • Sept. 1861 Confederate occupation angered many Kentuckians • Officially remained neutral throughout war • Pro-Confederate Kentuckians form a rival gov’t & vote to secede • Capital Bowling Green

26. Hanging Onto: Missouri • Most citizens are pro-Confederacy • State convention unanimously votes AGAINST secession • Violent struggle broke out between convention delegates & pro-secession forces • Lincoln sent in federal troops & preserved Missouri for the Union • Lincoln willing to take constitutional risks to save the Union • See: Maryland, martial law