The Election of 1860 and Secession
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Questions and Answers

What strategy did Lincoln employ to increase his visibility during the 1858 Senate race?

  • He published a book outlining his views on slavery.
  • He staged a series of public debates with Stephen Douglas. (correct)
  • He formed alliances with influential party leaders.
  • He traveled extensively throughout Illinois promoting his campaign.

What consequence did Lincoln's emergence as a political figure during the 1858 election have on the Democratic Party?

  • The Democrats maintained their majority in the House of Representatives.
  • The party faced a division leading to the nomination of two separate candidates in 1860. (correct)
  • The party unified under Douglas's leadership.
  • The party gained significant support in Northern states.

Why did Southern Democrats oppose Stephen Douglas during the 1860 Democratic Convention?

  • His Freeport Doctrine challenged the idea of protecting slavery. (correct)
  • His policies favored Northern interests over Southern concerns.
  • He lost key debates against Lincoln, diminishing his credibility.
  • He was seen as too favorable towards the abolitionist movement.

Which candidate in the 1860 election secured the most electoral votes?

<p>Abraham Lincoln (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which state initiated the wave of secession following Lincoln's election?

<p>South Carolina (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Election of 1860 impact the political and social fabric of the United States?

<p>It exacerbated existing tensions surrounding slavery and ultimately led to the secession of Southern states, plunging the nation into civil war. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary intention behind the formation of the Constitutional Union Party in the 1860 election?

<p>To support a platform of sectional compromise and prevent the secession of Southern states. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the split within the Democratic Party during the 1860 convention?

<p>Debate over the expansion of slavery into the territories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did the 1858 Senate election between Lincoln and Douglas have on the national political scene?

<p>It brought Lincoln to national prominence, making him a prominent figure in the Republican Party. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the 1860 election considered a turning point in the sectional crisis?

<p>It further deepened existing sectional divisions and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these was NOT an advantage the Union had over the Confederacy at the start of the Civil War?

<p>Stronger military leadership (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the 'Anaconda Plan' during the Civil War?

<p>To cut off the Confederacy from supplies and trade through a blockade (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which Union general was successful in gaining control of the Mississippi River?

<p>Ulysses S. Grant (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the First Battle of Bull Run?

<p>It showed that the war would be long and bloody. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'total war' as practiced by General Sherman during the Civil War?

<p>A war fought with the goal of destroying the enemy's economy and infrastructure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the strategic importance of gaining control of the Mississippi River for the Union?

<p>It effectively cut off the Confederacy from its Western territories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these Union generals was known for his successful execution of 'Total War' against the Confederacy?

<p>William T. Sherman (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following the early success of relying on volunteers during the Civil War, what measure did the Union government adopt to increase troop numbers?

<p>A mandatory draft or conscription (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary factor contributing to the widespread opposition to the draft in the North?

<p>The perception that the draft unfairly targeted working-class and immigrant populations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of the Confederacy's extensive use of paper currency to finance the war?

<p>A widespread depreciation of the Confederate dollar. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the Confederacy's reliance on paper currency to finance the war?

<p>The Confederacy lacked sufficient gold reserves to fund the war effort. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were "Copperheads" opposed to the Union draft?

<p>They opposed the war itself and saw the draft as a means to prolong the conflict. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups were most likely to oppose the Union draft?

<p>Laborers, immigrants, and Democrats opposed to the war. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action did Lincoln initially take to address the low number of troops in the army in 1861?

<p>He called for an increase of 23,000 troops to the regular army. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the national draft law passed in March 1863?

<p>It allowed individuals to pay $300 to avoid service. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of inflation on the Confederate economy by 1865?

<p>Prices of goods experienced a 9,000% increase. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic groups showed significant opposition to the draft in the North?

<p>Laborers, immigrants, and 'Copperheads'. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

House Divided Speech

Lincoln's speech emphasizing the conflict between slavery and sectionalism.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas focusing on slavery.

Freeport Doctrine

Douglas's assertion that territories could decide on slavery despite the Dred Scott decision.

Election of 1860

Presidential election revealing major party divisions over slavery.

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Democratic Party Split

Division in the Democratic Party in 1860 over candidate nominations.

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Abraham Lincoln's Platform

A political platform focused on free soil, tariffs, immigrant rights, a transcontinental railroad, and western homesteads.

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Breckenridge's Support

Carried the South with 11 slave states, securing only 72 electoral votes.

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Constitutional Union Party

Formed by Whigs and moderates to prevent secession, nominated John Bell.

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Secession Trigger

South Carolina declared intention to secede from the U.S. on December 20, 1860.

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Confederate States Formation

Lower South states created the Confederacy and adopted a new constitution in February 1861.

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Jefferson Davis

Elected president of the Confederate States of America in February 1861.

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Lincoln's Inaugural Address

Lincoln assured Southerners about protecting their rights, especially regarding slavery.

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Fort Sumter

A U.S. fort in South Carolina, significant for being the first site of conflict in the Civil War.

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Relief Expedition

Lincoln sent supplies to Fort Sumter, which was running low just before the conflict started.

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Douglas-Lincoln Challenge

Lincoln challenged Douglas to seven debates to gain visibility in 1858.

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Emergence of Lincoln

Lincoln gained national recognition despite losing the 1858 senate election, focused on slavery's expansion.

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Freeport Response

Douglas's Freeport Doctrine defended territorial rights over federal decisions regarding slavery.

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Lincoln's Following

Lincoln's stance against slavery helped him gain a following after the 1858 elections despite his loss.

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Union Advantages

Key strengths of the North in the Civil War, including industry, population, and transport.

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Confederate Advantages

Strengths of the South, such as skilled generals and home-field advantage.

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Anaconda Plan

Union strategy to blockade Southern ports and cut off supplies, like an anaconda choking its prey.

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First Battle of Bull Run

First major battle of the Civil War, revealing it would be a long and brutal conflict.

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Total War

Strategy employed by Sherman to attack not only enemy troops but also civilians and infrastructure.

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Union Population Advantage

The North had a population of 20 million compared to the South's 9 million, providing more soldiers.

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Southern Generals

The Confederacy had well-trained generals leading their armies, boosting military effectiveness.

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Home Soil Advantage

The Confederacy fought primarily on their own territory, boosting morale and local support.

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Control of the Mississippi

A Union strategy to gain control of the Mississippi River to disrupt Southern supply routes.

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Sherman's March to the Sea

General Sherman employed total war tactics, destroying both military targets and civilian infrastructure in the South.

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Union Industrial Advantage

The North had a significant lead in industry and manufacturing, vital for war production.

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Southern Troop Morale

The Confederate soldiers had high morale and enthusiasm, aided by their attachment to home soil.

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Control of the Mississippi River

Gaining control of this river was crucial for Union supply lines and military strategy.

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Four-Phased Plan

The Union developed a strategy including blockades, control of rivers, and total war tactics.

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Draft Law of 1863

Congress instituted a national draft law, requiring young males to serve in the army.

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New York City Draft Riots

Riots in July 1863 caused by opposition to the draft, leading to violence against Black Americans.

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Confederate Currency

The South financed its war through paper money, leading to severe inflation by 1865.

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Conscription Act (1862)

Law requiring all white males aged 18-35 in the South to serve for 3 years in the military.

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Inflation in the Confederacy

By 1865, prices rose by 9,000% due to excessive money printing.

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Lincoln's Draft Law

In 1863, Congress passed a draft law requiring young men to serve in the army.

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Confederate Currency Inflation

By 1865, the South experienced a 9,000% increase in prices due to excessive currency printing.

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Union Volunteer Challenges

Initial reliance on volunteers faltered, leading to the need for a draft by 1863.

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Northern Draft Opposition

Widespread resistance to the draft in the North, especially among laborers and immigrants.

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Southern Financing Methods

The Confederacy financed the war through paper currency, leading to extreme inflation.

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Inflation Impact in Confederacy

Severe inflation in the South, with prices skyrocketing by 9,000% due to excessive money printing.

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Study Notes

The Election of 1860 and Secession

  • Lincoln's "House Divided" speech highlighted sectionalism and the issue of slavery in the 1858 Illinois Senate race.
  • The Lincoln-Douglas debates drew national attention to the slavery debate, focusing on the issue's expansion into territories.
  • The 1860 presidential election saw a divided Democratic Party, with Northern and Southern Democrats nominating different candidates: Douglas (North), winning Missouri and parts of other states, Breckenridge (South) carrying Southern states, and Bell (border states) winning those.
  • Lincoln won the 1860 election, securing 40% of the popular vote, 18 free states, and 180 electoral votes.
  • Other candidates were Breckenridge (South), carrying 11 slave states and 72 electoral votes, and John Bell, winning 39 votes in border states, and Douglas (North), securing 12 electoral votes..
  • Following the election, South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, followed by other Southern states (Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas) over fears of losing their way of life to the increasingly powerful Republican Party and federal interference.
  • In February 1861, the Confederate States of America was formed with Jefferson Davis as its President.
  • Lincoln's inaugural address attempted to reassure Southern states regarding their rights, but acknowledged secession as insurrection, acknowledging he had no intention of interfering with slavery in existing states.
  • The attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 marked the start of the American Civil War.
  • Additional states (e.g., Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina) seceded by May 1861 out of fears over their way of life and the growing Republican power, and the perception of federal interference.
  • Four remaining slave states remained in the Union (Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri), but with significant debate within their populations.
  • Western Virginia sided with the Union, forming a new state in 1862, due to strong support for the Union among significant segments of its population.
  • Lincoln's victory in 1860 was accomplished without any Southern electoral votes.
  • Southerners' secession followed contentious debates, primarily over issues of slavery and states' rights, particularly over the perceived threat of Republican opposition to the expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories, and a fear of federal interference. Southerners feared that Republicans threatened their way of life and the continuation of their economy based on enslaved labor.

Key Vocabulary

  • Emergence of Lincoln: Lincoln-Douglas Debates/House Divided Speech/Freeport Doctrine
  • 1860 Nominations: Lincoln/Republican Platform/Constitutional Union Party
  • The Election: Election of 1860/Secession
  • Secession & War: South Carolina Secession/Confederate States of America/Fort Sumter

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Description

Explore the pivotal events surrounding the 1860 presidential election, including Lincoln's campaign and the nation's response to sectionalism and slavery debates. This quiz covers the aftermath of the election and the initial steps towards Southern secession, highlighting key figures and events that shaped this critical era in American history.

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