Chapter 15Chapter 15

Secession and Civil War, 1860-1862

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The Election of 1860The Election of 1860

Democrats endorse popular sovereignty rather than an overtly pro-slavery platform Nominated Stephen Douglas

Southern Rights Democratic Party bolted convention Nominated John C. Breckinridge

Constitutional Union Party coalition of former Whigs Nominated John Bell

Republican platform pledged exclusion of slavery from territories and other issues to appeal to different groups in North Nominated Abraham Lincoln

Southerners saw Lincoln’s nomination as threat to slavery Lincoln won with 40% of popular vote

The Secession of the Lower The Secession of the Lower SouthSouth Lincoln’s election sparked fears of a total assault on slavery Brought to fore southern thinking on the nature of the Union

Saw as a voluntary compact Any state could leave whenever it wished

Seven southern states had seceded by Lincoln’s inauguration Most northerners saw secession as unconstitutional and

treasonable Failed attempts at compromise through late 1860 and earl 1861

Crittendon Compromise most notable

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Election of 1860 and Southern

Secession

Establishment of the ConfederacyEstablishment of the Confederacy

Constitution protected slavery in both the states and the territories Strengthened state sovereignty and limited governmental

power Limited president to a single six-year term

Sought to encourage upper South to secede

Fort Sumter and First Shots of Fort Sumter and First Shots of Civil WarCivil War Confederates demanded federal withdrawal from fort

in Charleston Harbor Federal forces hung on, but ran short on supplies

Reaching crisis point when Lincoln was inaugurated in March 1861 Decided to send unarmed supply ships to fort

Confederacy attacked fort before supplies could arrive Started what became the Civil War in April 1861

Immediate Reaction to War, Immediate Reaction to War, North and SouthNorth and South In North, Lincoln issued immediate call for volunteers

Response was overwhelmingly

In South, public responded enthusiastically Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina seceded

Border states torn by divided sentiments Only Delaware remained firmly in the Union Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri contested ground

West Virginia created in 1863 Anti-slave in orientation, loyal to Union

Comparing Northern and Comparing Northern and Southern Readiness for WarSouthern Readiness for War North superior in almost every category of measurement

Higher population Larger military manpower Almost all of nation’s industrial capacity and registered shipping

South did have some advantage Greater military experience among its commanders Rural nature of southern life provided civilians with valuable skills Had begun preparing for war earlier than the North Had home-front advantage in defending own territory Higher morale and deeper commitment to cause of war

Mobilizing for War, North and Mobilizing for War, North and SouthSouth Military forces largely volunteers on both sides New Military technology utilized

Infantry rifle was most lethal weapon of war Infantry tactics gradually adjusted to new weapon

General technology shaped course/outcome of war Railroad and steamship transported supplies and soldiers Telegraph provided for better communication

War generally financed through a number of methods

Mobilizing for War, North and Mobilizing for War, North and South South (cont.)

Confederacy experienced problems funding the war Slow to raise taxes Little public capital available for purchase of war bonds Largely relied on limited issue of treasury notes Instituted comprehensive tax program in 1863

– Generated significant public opposition– Too little, too late to really solve war funding problem

Union more successful in funding war Two-thirds of funding came from war bonds Other funding sources were taxes and treasury note issues

International The Side of the Civil International The Side of the Civil WarWar South employed “King Cotton diplomacy”

Hoped to win British support through lure of cotton exports Exports complicated by northern blockade of southern ports

South legitimized by keeping 1861 cotton crop home Blockade seriously crippled southern economy

Confederacy sought international recognition Largely unsuccessful Trent Affair illustrated frustration of Confederate diplomacy

Confederate naval strategy focused on breaking Union blockade Commissioned two commerce raiders from British shipbuilders

Naval technology advanced both sides’ capabilities Monitor v. Virginia, 1862

Initial Military EncountersInitial Military Encounters

Union employed Anaconda Plan to squeeze Confederacy into submission

Virginia would be key battleground, especially after Richmond became capital of Confederacy Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) 1861

String of Union naval victories in 1861 and 1852 Captured New Orleans in April 1862

Combined Union naval/ground operations important victories Forts Henry and Donelson

Pitched battles throughout 1862 Battle of Shiloh Battle of Vicksburg Seven Day’s battles Second Battle of Bull Run

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Principal Military Campaigns of the Civil WarWeb