The Election of 1860 and SECESSION [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 7] Period 5: 1844-1877

What Were the Effects of the Election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860?

Overview of the Election

• The video discusses the growing tensions in the U.S. regarding slavery, focusing on the election of 1860 as a pivotal event leading to secession and Civil War.

• The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln, who ran on a free soil platform aimed at preventing the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Key Political Dynamics

• The Free Soil Movement sought to limit slavery's spread rather than abolish it where it already existed; Lincoln assured Southerners he would not interfere with existing slavery.

• The Democratic Party was divided into northern and southern factions, complicating their position in the election. Northern Democrats supported popular sovereignty while Southern Democrats wanted federal protection for slavery.

Election Results and Implications

• Lincoln won 40% of the popular vote but secured enough electoral votes to win without any support from Southern states, highlighting regional divisions.

• Despite his assurances about existing slavery, Lincoln's victory signaled an end to its expansion, which alarmed Southern states concerned about losing political power.

Secession Crisis

• Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860, followed by six other states within weeks. This led to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

• The Confederacy adopted a Constitution that limited federal power and enshrined slavery as a perpetual institution.

Reasons for Secession

• Two main interpretations exist regarding why Southern states seceded: one argues it was to protect slavery; another claims it was based on states' rights.

The Justifications for Secession: Analyzing Southern Arguments

Doctrine of Equality and Slavery

• The doctrine asserting the equality of all men, regardless of race, is described as being in conflict with nature and divine law. This perspective was used to criticize Republican views on slavery.

• Accusations against Republicans included intentions to abolish slavery and promote political equality between white and Black individuals, highlighting deep-seated racial tensions.

South Carolina's Position

• South Carolina's articles of secession articulated a strong defense of states' rights, claiming that their constitutional rights were violated by Northern antislavery sympathies.

• They warned that the Republican Party aimed to dominate the government, exclude the South from common territories, and wage war against slavery until it was eradicated nationwide.

Mississippi's Clear Stance

• Mississippi’s articles of secession explicitly stated their identity was tied to the institution of slavery, showcasing a direct link between state identity and the practice of slavery.