The Gathering Storm- THE SECESSION CRISIS
THE ELECTION OF 1860- In 1860, Abraham Lincoln completed his rise from relative obscurity by capturing
the Republican Party's nomination for president. (1) His skill as an orator [speaker] had captivated the North,
while his views on slavery had infuriated the South. Lincoln's path to the White House was cleared by the
discordant Democratic Party, whose northern and southern factions could not agree on a candidate. Stephen
A. Douglas ran as the candidate of the Northern Democrats and John C. Breckenridge ran as the candidate of
the Southern Democrats, while a third party candidate, John Bell, further complicated matters. (2) Fewer than
four in 10 Americans voted for Abraham Lincoln in November 1860- he wasn't even on the ballot in nine
Southern states- but it was enough to win. Lincoln carried eighteen of thirty-three states, sweeping Northern
population centers, and won 180 of the 303 electoral votes. His election outraged the South and triggered the
Secession Winter.
SECESSION - On December 20, 1860, six weeks after Lincoln's election as president, South Carolina's leaders
met in the banquet and concert hall of the St. Andrew's Society and voted to secede from the United
States. Thereafter, the hall became known as Secession Hall. President James Buchanan declared the act
illegal, as did President-elect Lincoln, but it did not quell the tide. Mississippi was next to secede, on January
9, 1861, followed the next day by Florida and by Alabama the day after that. By February 1, Georgia,
Louisiana and Texas had also seceded. But the states of the upper south remained in the Union, with
Virginians voting two-to-one against secession just eight days before the bombardment of Fort Sumter.
http://www.civilwar.org/
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(1) Identify one of the factors listed that helped Abraham Lincoln be elected as the 16 President of the United
States.
(2) Analyze why you feel that southerners would be so frustrated by the election of Abraham Lincoln.
Why is it significant that South Carolina was the first state to secede? (think back!)
- Threatened to secede before (most significantly in the “Nullification Crisis” in 1832)
What reasons do you think that the more northern of the southern states (ex: Virginia) had for not seceding?
- Close proximity means 1st to be invaded and more family/ cultural ties to North
Excerpt from Jefferson Davis’ Inauguration Address – February 18, 1861
“As (1) a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation…If a just perception
of mutual interest shall permit us (2) peaceably to pursue our separate political career, my most
earnest desire will have been fulfilled. But if this be denied to us…[we will be (3) forced] to appeal to arms…”
(1) According to this excerpt, what argument does Jefferson Davis give for secession?
(2) What are the hopes of the government of the newly formed Confederate States of America?
(3) What are they threatening to do if these wishes are denied?
Excerpt from Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural Address – March 4, 1861
(1) “One section of our country believes slavery is right and ought to be extended. This is the
only substantial dispute…Physically speaking, (2) we can not separate. We can not remove our respective
sections from each other nor build an impassable wall between them…(3) In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow
countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of war.”
(1) According to Abraham Lincoln, what is the argument between regions?
(2) What is Abraham Lincoln’s point of view regarding secession?
(3) In the opinion of Abraham Lincoln, whose responsibility is it to stay out of civil war?