AIM 3: Why did the South Secede?

In the election of 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President on a platform of opposing the spread of slavery into the new territories. Southerners did not believe Lincoln'’ promise not to abolish slavery. Lincoln realized that slavery was vital to the economic health of the entire US because the US, at that time, was primarily an agricultural nation whose major exports were agricultural products grown in the South.

On Dec 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. Within 6 weeks 6 more seceded, and on Feb 1, 1861 these states created a new nation called the Confederated States of America. A total of 11 southern states would join the Confederacy, however not every slave state seceded. The Confederacy said that the individual states were more powerful than the federal govt., and since they had voluntarily joined the Union, they had the right to leave.

Lincoln desperately wanted to avoid a war and begged the Confederacy to reconsider their actions. He believed that the US could not exist as a divided nation.

After Fort Sumter, Confederate forces destroyed a Union fort located in Charleston, South Carolina; Lincoln asked congress for troops to put down what he called a rebellion. The US Civil War began on April 12, 1861 as an effort by Lincoln to force the South to return to the Union. Slavery was a contributing factor but the main reasons for Lincoln’s actions was to reunite the Union.

Border States: Four slave states that did not secede were Missouri, Maryland, Kentucky & Delaware. A portion of northwest Virginia, a mountainous area not suited for plantations, broke away from Virginia & was admitted to the Union as West Virginia, a free state.

COMPARISON OF THE UNION & CONFEDERACY

UNION ADVANTAGES CONFEDERATE ADVANTAGES

A. 22 million people 9 million including 3 1/2 million slaves

B. 85% of US factories, most of the steel production. Small factories primarily making furniture, clothing & some farm equipment.

C. Most of the naval & merchant ships. Few ships or shipyards.

D. Double the railroad mileage.

E. The govt. was in place & had the ability to tax. New govt. had to be created.

F. More capital was available. The South had better soldiers & generals & knew the territory better; most of the fighting was done in the south. Greater patriotism & desire to fight.

HOMEWORK: Read pgs. 503 – 506 & 507 to the top of 510 & pg. 511. Do pg. 485

Ques 3A & 4. Do pg. 507 Terms & Names # 1 – 4 & 6.