AIM: TO WHAT EXTENT WAS THE CIVIL WAR INEVITABLE?

1861 - 1865

Lincoln – Douglas Debates

Lincoln’s Argument:1. Slavery is OK in the

South

2. Every new Territory (such as Nebraska) should be free

- If that happens, slavery will die out on its own

3. If half the country is free and half the country is slave, it is NOT OK – we will never be 1 country

Douglas’s Argument: 1. Slavery is OK in the South

2. States should be ruled by popular sovereignty

– States should get to choose if they are free or slave

3. If half the country is free and half is slave, it is OK – we can still be 1 country.

Election of 1860:

Main Candidates

Abraham Lincoln

(Republican)

Stephen Douglas

(Northern Democrat)

John Breckinridg

e(Southern Democrat)

John Bell(Constitutional Union)

• Lincoln wins the election…

• The South is so angry they decide to leave the US!

Election of 1860 • Democratic Party was divided:

Northerners wanted Popular Sovereignty Nominated Stephen Douglas from ILSoutherners supported Slavery in territoriesNominated John Breckenridge from KY

• Constitutional Union Party Moderate SouthernersPoliticians from boarder states (DE, MD, KY, MO) come together Nominate John Bell from TN

• William Henry Seward (Republican)an extreme advocate for anti-slavery.He was the wiry and husky-throated freshman senator from New York who opposed concession in 1850.

• Lincoln was nominated because he had more moderate views

4

Election of 1860:

Lincoln Wins, but How?

His name didn’t appear on the ballot in the South.

He won every free state except NJ.

Won only 39% of the popular vote but was able to win the majority (180) of electoral votes.

South’s response? Secession. Felt that they had no say in government because nobody in the South voted for Lincoln.

6

Arguments for Secession

For

States voluntarily joined the Union and therefore could choose to leave.

Against

Need to preserve the Union, separation could hurt trade and economy.

7

Secession Battle OutcomeSouth Carolina was the first to leave the Union and form a new nation called the Confederate States of America.

Four months later, six other states seceded. They were Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana.

Later Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined them.

New capital created in Richmond, VA.

Jefferson Davis elected President

Alexander Hamilton Stephens VP

8

The United States During Secession

9

Fort Sumter, South CarolinaFirst shots fired by Confederacy.

Lincoln tells Union troops not to fire first, waits for south to fire on federal troops.

South is in “open rebellion”

How justified was the South in seceding? (Handout)

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The Path to Civil War

Illustration of General Lewis Armistead at the Battle of Gettysburg Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS

12

Fugitive Slave Law (FSL) Story:

• FSL – Part of Compromise of 1850

• Escaped slaves must be returned to masters•Judges were bound by law to aid the process•Locals “called to posse”

• Northerners who helped slaves were put in jail and fined

Effect• Made even more Northerners become abolitionists

Effects of the Fugitive-Slave-Law. Image: © CORBIS

13

Bleeding Kansas 1854-1858

Story:• Both sides send people to Kansas to vote

• Slavery supporters win vote, antislavery supporters set up their own government

• Lots and lots of fighting!

• John Brown – hacked 5 men to death with swords (he was not punished)

Effect• People begin to think violence might be the answer

Illustration of a Gunfight on Horseback by G.H. Hayes

Pre-Civil War illustration depicting a gun fight from "Bleeding Kansas," a war fought in the 1850's

between abolitionists and slavery advocates for control of the territory of Kansas. Image: ©

Bettmann/CORBIS Location Information: Kansas, USA

14

John Brown 1859Story• He was a white abolitionist who used violent methods.

• He and 21 other men led the raid on federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA.

• Half the men were killed, including his two sons.

•He was captured and eventually hanged.

Effect

• Caused an even bigger rift between the North and South.

•The North saw him as a hero and the South saw him as a rebel.

Painting of John Brown by John Steuart Curry

15

Dred Scott Decision1857

Story:• Dred Scott, a slave, moved between free and slave states.

•Master dies, leaving Scott in MO.

•Scott sues, saying he should be free because he lived in a free state

• Supreme Court rules 1) slaves are not citizens so cannot sue2) slaves are property so can be brought to any state

Effect

• More and more Northerners become abolitionists

• Southerners begin to worry when the North disagrees with the Supreme Court

Newspaper About Dred Scott DecisionA copy of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper has a front page story on the Supreme Court anti-abolitionist Dred

Scott Decision of 1857. The story includes illustrations of Dred Scott and his family. Image: © CORBIS

Date Created: ca. 1857

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Lincoln Douglas Debate 1858 Story:

• Lincoln and Douglas have a debate. The main topic is new territories and states

• People are impressed with Lincoln’s charm, but Douglas wins the seat

Effect

• Helps make Lincoln (an Abolitionist) famous enough to run for president later

Lincoln At Lincoln Douglas DebateOriginal caption: Lincoln at the Lincoln-Douglas debate. 1858.Undated image.

Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS

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Election of 1860 Story:

• Lincoln wins!

• Lincoln has the most votes but the split between him and the others who supported slavery was 50/50.

Effect

• South secedes, beginning with South Carolina

Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln Postcard

Image: © PoodlesRock/CORBIS Date Created: ca. 1910

18

Was the Civil War inevitable? Why or why not? Give 3 examples to support your answer.

Use your notes, use this slide show, use anything else we have done in or out of class over the past few weeks to help you come up with good, solid examples to support your answer.

Here is a list of some events and ideas that you might consider as part of your answer.