Chapter 10 Section 5

A Nation Divided Against Itself

Border States

• Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri

• Held moderate views on slavery

Lower South

• Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina

• Voted for John C Breckinridge for President in 1860– Favored aggressively

expanding slavery

Why did the Democratic Party Split in 1860?

• Over the issue of slavery

• This split allowed a Republican, Abraham Lincoln, to win the Presidency without a majority

Secessionist

• Those who wanted the south to secede

• They argued that since they voluntarily entered the union, they could also choose to leave it

• South was outraged that a President (Lincoln) could be elected without winning a single Southern state

Confederate States of America

• South Carolina leave the U.S. on 12/20/1860

• Rest of Lower South follows over the next few weeks

• Created the Confederate States of America

• Elected Jefferson Davis as President

How did President Buchanan react to the secession of the southern states?

• He said it was illegal, but refused to take any action

Fort Sumter

• Federal fort off the coast of South Carolina

• Running out of supplies• Confederates would not

allow supplies to be delivered

• Lincoln said he would send in supplies, but no troops

Fort Sumter

• Confederates said the Fort should be handed over, or they would be forced to take it

• Lincoln refused to hand it over

• 4/12/1861 Confederates bombard the Fort and seize it

• Civil War begins

Upper South- Virginia, North Carolina,

Tennessee, and Arkansas

How did the Lower South respond to Lincoln’s election and the attack on Fort Sumter?

• The Lower South seceded when Lincoln was elected without any southern votes.

• Senator Crittenden from Kentucky attempted unsuccessfully to mediate

How did the Upper South respond to Lincoln’s election and the attack on Fort Sumter?

• After the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, Southerners saw Lincoln’s call for volunteers as an act of war against them

• This caused the Upper South to secede and join the Lower South in the Confederacy

How did the Border States respond to Lincoln’s election and the attack on Fort Sumter?

• The Border States remained temporarily uncommitted to either side