Story of Us Election of 1860 and Secession

Summary

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln, despite limited political experience, becomes the Republican Party's nominee for president. His stance against slavery and determination to preserve the Union thrusts him into a nation on the brink of Civil War. As the South rebels, fearing the abolition of slavery, Lincoln faces the imminent threat of war, death threats, and a divided nation. His presidency is marked by the difficult balance of combating slavery's expansion while striving to keep the Union intact. The ensuing Civil War will become the deadliest in U.S. history, forever changing the nation's course.

Takeaways

• 😀 Abraham Lincoln, despite limited political success before, rose to prominence in 1860, securing the Republican Party's nomination for president.
• 😀 Lincoln was deeply opposed to slavery, but his primary goal was to preserve the Union, even if it meant compromising on slavery initially.
• 😀 On November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected president, at a time when the nation was on the brink of civil war.
• 😀 The South feared Lincoln’s presidency would lead to the abolition of slavery, prompting many states to threaten secession.
• 😀 A deeply polarized nation, with the North supporting Lincoln and the South viewing him as an enemy, resulted in strong rhetoric and tensions.
• 😀 Southern states, including South Carolina, began seceding from the Union shortly after Lincoln’s election, marking the beginning of the Confederacy.
• 😀 Lincoln was determined to avoid war at all costs, but was ready to fight to preserve the Union when it became clear war was inevitable.
• 😀 Lincoln faced personal danger from assassination threats even before taking office, and took precautions, including wearing a disguise during his journey to Washington.
• 😀 At his inauguration, Lincoln made a reluctant pledge not to interfere with slavery where it existed but opposed its expansion into new territories.
• 😀 Despite his attempts to prevent war, the Union and Confederate states quickly mobilized, and in April 1861, the first shots were fired, beginning the Civil War, which would become the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.

Q & A

What was Abraham Lincoln's main objective upon taking office?

Abraham Lincoln's principal objective was to preserve the Union and prevent the country from breaking apart, though he later also had to address the issue of slavery.

Why did the South view Lincoln as a threat?

The South feared Lincoln would abolish slavery, which they saw as integral to their economy and way of life. His election signaled a shift that threatened their autonomy and way of governance.

What was the significance of Lincoln's stance on slavery?

Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories but was reluctant to interfere with it where it already existed. This stance was crucial in maintaining his political position while trying to avoid war.

How did the South react to Lincoln's election?

The South reacted by threatening to secede from the Union, eventually leading to South Carolina's secession in December 1860, followed by 10 other slave states.

What were the immediate consequences of Lincoln's election?

Lincoln's election triggered the secession of Southern states, which led to the formation of the Confederate States of America and set the stage for the Civil War.

What was the Confederate States of America?

The Confederate States of America was a new nation formed by Southern states that seceded from the Union after Lincoln's election, with the aim of preserving slavery and their regional autonomy.

Why did Lincoln consider fighting to preserve the Union inevitable?

Lincoln believed that the Union must be preserved at all costs, and after the secession of Southern states, the conflict over the future of the United States became unavoidable.

How did Lincoln prepare for the possibility of assassination?

Lincoln received numerous death threats before taking office and even kept a file labeled 'assassination' in his desk. He also wore disguises during his journey to Washington for safety.

What was Lincoln's approach to slavery during his presidency?

Lincoln's approach was to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories, while allowing states that already had slavery to maintain it. However, as the war progressed, he also took steps to end slavery, culminating in the Emancipation Proclamation.

What sparked the Civil War?

The Civil War began after Lincoln's election and the secession of Southern states, with the first shots fired just five weeks after Lincoln took office, marking the beginning of the War Between the States.