Final StepsThe Final Moments before the American Civil War

Election of 18604 Individuals run for the Office of President1. Northern Democrats- Stephen Douglass

(Il.)2. Southern Democrats- John C.

Breckenridge (KT)3. North and South Moderates- John Bell

(TN)4. Republicans- Abraham Lincoln (Il.)

Electoral Map

ConfederacySouth Carolina votes for secession on December 20, 1860.

S.C. is the only state to unanimously vote to leave the Union.

S.C. claimed states had the right to leave the Union and that the state’s rights supersede federal power.By February 1861- Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia had also left.February 4, Montgomery Alabama-The Confederate States of America is born.

Jefferson Davis – Former Sen. from Mississippi President of the C.S.A.

ReactionsRobert E. Lee (VA)- “I see only that a fearful calamity is upon us”Other Southerners celebrate secessionSome Abolitionists – Fine. Get out. Later dudes.Most Northerners were MAD

Lincoln- The question was “whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose”

Interesting Bit of Info

Many political leaders in N.Y.C. also wanted to leave the Union.Not to join the Confederacy, but to be an “Independent City”This may have happened if Southern Secession had not turned violent.

Crittenden Compromise

Right before secession Senator John Crittenden (KT) proposed a series of Constitutional Amendments to protect slavery south of the 36°30’N.

Republicans reject the proposalWhy?

Southern leaders also rejected the idea“We spit upon every plan to compromise”

House AND Senate say “NO”

I.A- The “Shadow 13th Amendment”

The “Corwin Amendment”Passed the House and Senate March 2, 1861“No amendment shall be made to the Constitution which will authorize or give to Congress the power to abolish or interfere, within any State, with the domestic institutions thereof, including that of persons held to labor or service by the laws of said State”Maryland and Ohio ratified the Amendment.

Ohio rescinded ratification in 1864.Maryland is JUST NOW starting the rescind process.

In 1964, A Texas State Rep. proposed ratification.

Lincoln’s First Inauguration

March 4, 1861 Some arguments in Lincoln’s first presidential address to the nation.1) “I have no purpose…to interfere with the institution of slavery where it already exists”2) The Union is more than the constitution3) Union is a mutual contract between states. One side cannot terminate (end) the contract.

Finally- Lincoln will not hesitate to use force to stop Southern aggression against land and installations held by the Federal Government

Ft. SumterApril 12-14, 1861

War has Come“ I am loth to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. They mystic chords of memory, stretching form every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

President Lincoln- March 4, 1861