Civil War: Lincoln's Inaugural Address & Secession

Study Notes

Lincoln's Inaugural Address & Secession

Lincoln's first inaugural address was calm and reassuring to the South, emphasizing that secession would not be tolerated.
He appealed to the states to not be enemies, but friends.
He stated that states needed approval from other states before secession.

Fort Sumter & War Beginning

Fort Sumter supplies were refused by South Carolina.
Lincoln tried again, but the South fired the first shots, marking the beginning of the war.
Fort Sumter was surrendered to the Confederacy without any casualties.

Secession of Southern States

Lincoln called for volunteer troops.
As a result, four more states (Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina) seceded from the Union.

War's Onset and Advantages

The South viewed secession as a violation of rights, and Lincoln's actions as a threat to democracy.
Lincoln aimed to preserve the Union.
South had advantages like defensive war, military leadership, and tactics.
The South hoped for foreign aid and Northern weariness.
North had advantages like superior population, larger economy, more states, access to resources, industry, transportation, and a stronger navy and banks.

First Battle of Bull Run

The Confederacy successfully defended the Confederate capital, Richmond, VA.
The Union army retreated and panicked, driven back to Washington.
This battle showed that the war wasn't as easy as expected. Confederates felt confident but didn't push the advantage.

Description

Explore the key themes in Lincoln's inaugural address and the events leading to the Civil War. This quiz covers the secession of Southern states, the beginning of hostilities at Fort Sumter, and the contrasting views on democracy and rights in this pivotal moment of American history.