Can the Civil War be prevented? Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln – Background
Born in Kentucky; moved to Indiana then Illinois as a boy Didn’t want to farm; went into business Elected to state legislature in 1834 (Whig) Became a lawyer in 1837 Married Mary Todd in 1842 Campaigned for Harrison in 1840; Clay in 1844 Elected to the House of Representatives in 1846 Abraham Lincoln – Stance on Slavery
Opposed it Didn’t see blacks as equal Wanted to Outlaw spread to new territories Outlaw in Washington D.C. send slaves back to Africa Against radical actions/tactics of abolitionists Abraham Lincoln – Other issues
1846 – Opposed Mexican War as unconstitutional (lost re-election) 1854 – Opposed Kansas-Nebraska Act (expand slavery) 1856 – Helped form Republican Party in Illinois 1858 – Challenged Senator Stephen A. Douglas for Senate “Lincoln-Douglas Debates” Didn’t feel blacks were equal, but had right to freedom "A house divided against itself cannot stand.“ Abraham Lincoln – Other issues
Criticized Douglas’ support of Buchanan Trying to spread slavery Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott case, Lecompton Constitution Douglas wins the election John Brown – makes situation worse
Pottawattamie massacre in “Bleeding Kansas” Planned to arm slaves for revolt 1859: raid on federal military arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) John Brown’s Raid
Buchanan sends Colonel Robert E. Lee to put down raid Brown captured Democrats blame it on Republicans John Brown’s Raid
Brown tried and convicted Hanged December 2, 1859 “I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with Blood." madman in South; martyr in North 1860 Election
Douglas wants Democratic nomination North and South split North – Popular Sovereignty South – protect slavery 1860 Election – Democratic convention
Convention in Charleston, S.C. Buchanan not renominated (no confidence) North and South couldn’t agree South walks out Reconvene in Baltimore Douglas nominated South walks out again 1860 Election – Southern Democrats
Southern Democrats have own convention in Baltimore nominated John C. Breckinridge – Kentucky (Buchanan’s V.P.) 1860 Election – Republicans
Met in Chicago Favorites: William Seward (NY) and Salmon Chase (OH) Both somewhat radical 1860 Election – Republicans
Lincoln becomes compromise, moderate candidate Republican platform Free soil in new territories Slavery allowed where it exists States cannot secede Economic development (old Whig idea) 1860 Election – Constitutional Party
John Bell (Tennessee) Old Southern Whigs Goal was to keep Union together Black Republicanism Honest Abe the Rail Splitter Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin What does this cartoon say? 1860 Election 1860 Election – Reactions
South Convinced Lincoln would end slavery Fire-eaters Radicals pushing secession Unionists Moderates trying to keep union intact South Carolina secedes: December 20, 1860 1860 Election – Reactions
South December to February: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana secede Form Confederate States of America Capital: Montgomery, Alabama Constitution modeled on Articles of Confederation Jefferson Davis President 1860 Election – Reactions
Upper South Less eager to leave Hoping for federal protection of slavery 1860 Election – Reactions
Buchanan Secession was illegal Tried to reinforce Fort Sumter (Charleston harbor) with merchant ship Star of the West Won’t use force Decides it’s Lincoln’s problem The Star of the West 1860 Election – Reactions
John Crittenden (Senator from Kentucky) Protect slavery where it is (could never be changed) Missouri Compromise line extends to California border No slavery in North Slavery in South North must return fugitive slaves Slavery never to be abolished in Washington D.C. No federal interference with Interstate Slave Trade Congressional Republicans reject it
Can the Civil War be prevented?