Secession and Conflict: Lincoln's Presidency

1. Chapter 20 Lincoln came quietly to DC-7 states left/8 more possible Secession Inaugural Address: No conflict unless South provoked-”Secession not Legal”-Impractical-could not physically separate (not geographically possible) Several Questions: Uncontested secession-National Debt, Federal Territories, Fugitive Slave Issue, RR-very complex! Europeans delighted-Divide and Conquer-Monroe Doctrine?

2. South Carolina & Fort Sumter • South seized territories and federal areas within borders, forts, arsenals, etc. • Fort Sumter-not taken-provisions could only last a couple weeks, no supplies, would have to surrender-Lincoln told South provisions would be sent yet not reinforcing-Union Naval force sent • April 12, 1861-Cannons of Carolinas opened fire-34 hour bombardment-garrison surrendered • Most Northerners did not care to fight until now • South had fired upon the U.S.-Lincoln called fro state militias for 75,000 volunteers-April leaky blockade declared • VA, AK,TN, NC seceded(11 total)

3. Blood-Brother/Border • Border States-MO, KY, MD, DL, WV • Contained white populations totaling more than half of the entire confederacy • MD, KY, MO would almost double manufacturing output of the South & increase by half the horse and mule supply • Cumberland & Tennessee went deep into South(Ohio River) • Had to have Kentucky • Lincoln declared martial law in Maryland-also sent troops to W.Virginia and Missouri • Lincoln-”Not fighting to free blacks”-Why?-SAVE THE UNION!! • Civilized tribes in Oklahoma sided w/Confederacy(owned slaves) • Brother v. Brother

4. Balance of Power North Advantages Disadvantages South Advantages Disadvantages

5. Dethroning King Cotton • South counted on foreign help-Europe’s ruling classes were sympathetic-did not like democratic experiment & favored South’s semifeudal & aristocracy • Many working class in Europe pulling for North-might rid slavery (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)-3/4 of cotton from South • Why did King Cotton fail them? • Surplus from previous 3 years-Real pinch cam 1 1/2 years later yet w/ Emancipation Proclamation-no support for the South • Cotton famine helped by food from America-Union shipped to Britain- Cotton of Egypt & India increased output-War Industries in Britain needed workers • King Corn & King Wheat-huge crops in North & Britain had bad harvests-needed food

6. Diplomacy • Trent Affair-late 1861-Union warship stopped British vessel & removed two Confederate diplomats-British enraged-Lincoln released • British also built vessels for South-(Alabama) • Eventually they attempted to end corruption but could not remain neutral-Confederate destroyers built in Britain captured more than 250 Yankee ships • 1872-Britain paid US $15.5 million in damages • Canada? Mexico?

7. Davis/Lincoln • Confederate Constitution could not deny future secession • Davis battled w/ states’ righters-had some trouble getting some states to join the battles outside the borders • Davis always in trouble and not incredibly popular & always battling Congress(talk of impeachment) • Inclined to defy public opinion rather than lead public opinion-too large of an undertaking for anyone? • Lincoln enjoyed a long established government, financially stable & recognized • Grew as war dragged on-genious for leading public • Man who had considerable generosity & patience

8. Denying Wartime Liberties • Defied Constitution • Presidential Powers increase in times of war-”only temporary” • Proclaimed blockade (Congress not in session) • Increased size of army • $2 million to private citizens to military purposes(Sec of Treas) • Suspended writ of habeas corpus, “supervised” voting in border states with colored ballots • Suspended certain newspapers & arrested editors • Davis could do little?

9. Volunteers & Draftees • At first North was volunteer-by 1863 Congress passed first conscription law on national scale-Unfair to poor-$300 men • Draft riot in New York • More than 90% of Union men were volunteer-eventually generous $ for volunteers-with $ came unsavory volunteers-200,000 deserters • Confederacy much less populous-had to start w/ conscription much earlier-17-50 year olds • Privileges in South as well-hard feelings between rich and poor

10. Economic Stresses • North handled economy of war much better than South • Excise taxes increased on alcohol and tobacco-Income tax passed also • Passed higher tariff(Republican) • Greenbacks, sale of bonds-marketed bonds through private banks • National Banking System-1863-stimulate government bonds, standard notes, first bank since 1836 • South suffered from blockade, sold bonds, increased taxes, 10% increase on farm produce-not effective-states’ rightists • Printed worthless $ as revenue dried up-9,000% inflation

11. North’s Economic Boom • Prosperity ruled in the North-factories protected by tariffs-manufacturers flourished-new millionaire class • Northern manufacturers supplied poor products & gained huge $ • Labor saving machines allowed North still produce w/ men gone • Reapers helped feed & sent abroad to dethrone King Cotton • Petroleum-1859-New Industry • Homestead Act of 1862! • Opportunities for women

12. Crushed King Cotton • Fighting & Blockade took toll on South-30% of nation’s wealth in 1860, only 12% by 1870-per capita income fell dramatically • Pulled up RR lines, melted window weights • North’s captains of industry had conquered South’s Lords of Manor • North-Full fledged Industrial Revolution-dominance in politics and economics • Cotton Capitalism lost to Industrial Capitalism