Election of 1860

1. Election of 1860

2. The Country is Split • In the year 1860, the country was torn between proslaveryandpopular sovereignty. • For the election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln (Republican) ran against Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat) • Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery into the new territories (new states) • Douglas didn’t want the government to pass any new laws on slavery • Lincoln won the election of 1860

3. The South Secedes • Even before the election, the Southern states threatened to secede from the Union. • Secede – to withdraw • The South based their decision to leave the Union on the idea of States’ Rights. • States’ Rights – States have certain rights that the federal government cannot overrule.

4. Creation of the Confederates • With the South removing themselves from the Union, they created the Confederate States of America. • Jefferson Davis was elected the president of the Confederacy.

5. Confederate Constitution • The Confederate states drafted a new constitution that supportedstates’ rights and slavery of the South and any new territories.

6. Hope for Compromise? • With the Southern states creating a new government, the North tried to make amends. • One proposal stated: • Protect slavery, south of the Missouri Compromise line. • Compensate the owners of fugitive slaves • The many attempted proposals failed and the United States was split.

7. Lincoln’s Inauguration • Lincoln assured the South had no intention of abolishing slavery and also spoke against secession. • Lincoln didn’t want to invade the South, yet he would not abandon the government’s forts that were on Southern soil. • With the tension at an all time high, both the North and South waited anxiously to see what would happen next.