A Dividing Nation

A Divided Nation

• Missouri Compromise
• Compromise of 1850
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
• Bleeding Kansas

Lincoln Enters Politics

• In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repealed the Missouri Compromise
• Individual states could make decisions about slavery
• The law provoked violent opposition in Kansas and Illinois.
• Political disconnect amongst the Whigs gave rise to the Republican Party
• Lincoln joined the Republican Party in 1856.

Lincoln Challenges American Values

• Abraham Lincoln felt African Americans were not equal to whites
• However, he did believe that America’s founders intended that all men were created with certain inalienable rights.
• Lincoln began speaking out against slavery because he felt it was morally wrong.
• Lincoln decided it was time to run for Senator and challenged sitting U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas for his seat.

The Lincoln – Douglas Debates

• Lincoln and Douglas both running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois in 1858.
• Lincoln argued that slavery was immoral and wrong – dangerous for the country
• Lincoln stated: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this Government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free."
• Douglas believed that slavery should be decided by the people: He was for popular sovereignty

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The Lincoln – Douglas Debates

• They participated in 7 debates, 3 hours apiece, in 7 different cities in Illinois
• People came from all over the state to watch them debate in crowds of nearly 15,000
• Lincoln and Douglas presented sharply opposing viewpoints on the issue of slavery and the legal rights of blacks
• This issue addressed a problem that was dividing the nation and threatening the continued existence of the Union

Sorry Lincoln

• Although Lincoln lost the election to become Senator ~ these debates were widely reported ~ making Lincoln to become known throughout the nation.

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John Brown’s Raid

• Lincoln fought to stop the spread of slavery through politics.
• The abolitionist, John Brown decided not to wait for Congress to act.
• He planned to seize the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA.
• An arsenal is a place where weapons and ammunition are stored.

John Brown’s Raid

• Brown launched his raid in 1859. He wanted to arm slaves for a rebellion to end slavery.
• John Brown led 21 men, black and white, into Harpers Ferry to seize the federal arsenal there,
• He gave the weapons to slaves in the area, and encouraged a slave uprising.
• All of Brown’s men were either killed or captured during the raid.
• Brown was convicted of treason and sentenced to death ~ but many Northerners viewed him as a hero.

Election of 1860

• The 1860 presidential race showed how divided the nation had become
• The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln
• The Democratic Party had split between Northern and Southern fractions
• Northern Democrats nominate Stephen Douglas
• Southern Democrats nominate Vice President John Breckenridge
• A third party was formed by Southerners hoping to heal the split between North and South, they formed the Constitutional Union and nominate John Bell

Election of 1860

• November 6, 1860 - Abraham Lincoln won this election, running for the Republican Party.
• In 10 Southern states, Lincoln wasn’t even on the ballot.
• All of Lincoln's votes were cast in the North.
• The results of this election delivered a message to the South that it was now in the minority.
• Southerners were afraid that Congress would try to abolish slavery.

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The South Reacts

• Southerners believed that the election of Lincoln meant the South no longer had a voice in government
• Senator John Crittenden of KY made a last effort for a compromise, proposing a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing slavery where it already existed, but it did not work

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Lincoln on Slavery

• Once elected ~ Lincoln decided not to interfere with slavery in the South.
• He supported the Fugitive Slave Act.
• BUT he drew the line at letting slavery extend into the territories.

Election of 1860 reaction

• Southerners believed that the election of Lincoln meant the South no longer had a voice in government
• On December 20, 1860 - South Carolina voted to secede from the Union.
• In February 1861- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas also seceded.
• Formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America
• Jefferson Davis became their president.

Breaking Point

• Factory vs Agriculture
• Slavery
• Missouri Compromise
• Compromise of 1850
• Kansas/Nebraska
• Bleeding Kansas
• Dred Scott
• Lincoln Douglas Debates
• Election of 1860
• The Civil War Begins

Lincoln Takes Office

• March 4, 1861 Lincoln becomes the 16^th president of the United States
• When Lincoln took office he said,
• “In YOUR hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in MINE, is the momentous issue of civil war…We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” – Lincoln, First Inaugural Address

The Confederate States of America

1. South Carolina
2. Georgia
3. Alabama
4. Florida
5. Mississippi
6. Louisiana

7. Texas

8. Virginia
9. Arkansas
10. Tennessee
11. North Carolina

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Fort Sumter

• Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charlestown Harbor, South Carolina.

Fort Sumter

• Confederates demanded union solders to surrender Fort Sumter
• The southern states had cut the fort off from supplies since December
• They knew that the men inside would starve and be forced to give up
• Lincoln did not want to give up the fort and announced that the north was sending unarmed supply ships to the fort
• April 12, 1861 – Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter
• After 33 hrs. defenders of the fort hauled down the American flag and replaced it with the white flag of surrender.