United States History Student Edition

04

Secession and War

Secession GUIDING QUESTION Why was the election of 1860 important? By November 1860, the North and the South could no longer compromise over the issue of slavery. John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and Brown’s death became a rallying point for abolitionists. When Southerners learned of Brown’s connection to abolitionists, their fears of a great Northern conspiracy against their way of life seemed to be confirmed. The events of the previous year created fear and anger that could not be overcome. Many worried that the 1860 presidential election could lead to a final split in the nation. The 1860 Election The issue of slavery divided the Democratic Party. Northern Democrats supported popular sovereignty. They nominated Stephen Douglas. Southern Democrats vowed to uphold slavery. Their candidate was John C. Breckinridge. Moderates from the North and the South formed the Constitutional Union Party. The Constitutional Unionists took no position on slavery. They chose John Bell as their candidate. The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln. They wanted to leave slavery alone where it existed—but also to ban it in the territories. Still, white Southerners feared that a Republican victory would promote slave revolts as well as interfere with slavery. With the Democrats divided, Lincoln won a clear majority of electoral votes. Lincoln won 180 electoral votes out of 303. He received only 40 percent of the popular vote, but this was more than any other candidate. Douglas was second with 30 percent of the vote. Voting followed sectional lines. Lincoln’s name did not even appear on the ballot in most Southern states. He won every Northern state, however. So in effect, the more populous North outvoted the South. The Confederacy Is Established

READING STRATEGY Analyzing Key Ideas and Details As you read, take notes about the differences and similarities between the North and the South at the outset of the Civil War.

NORTH

SOUTH

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.5.1 • SS.8.A.5.2 • SS.8.A.5.3 • SS.8.A.5.4 • SS.8.A.5.5 • SS.8.CG.1.3 • SS.8.G.1.2 • SS.8.G.2.1 • SS.8.G.4.6

The Republicans had promised not to stop slavery where it already existed. Yet white Southerners did not trust the Republicans to protect their rights. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina voted to secede from the Union. » Southerners showed their support for secession by wearing ribbons, such as the one shown in this photograph, on their hats and coats.

• ELA.K12.EE.3.1 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1 • ELA.K12.EE.5.1

Historic Collection/Alamy Stock Photo

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