The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion (Interdisciplinary)

Crash Course: The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion (Interdisciplinary)

The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion: A Crash Course

Introduction Imagine a country on the brink of collapse, where the very fabric of its unity is about to be torn apart. This was the United States in 1860, on the eve of a presidential election that would change the course of history forever.

The Core Idea The Election of 1860 was a pivotal moment in American history, where the country's deepening divisions over slavery and states' rights ultimately led to the secession of 11 Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. This event marked the beginning of the American Civil War, a conflict that would claim the lives of over 600,000 soldiers and forever alter the nation's trajectory.

Key Facts & Figures

• The Election of 1860: The 16th presidential election, held on November 6, 1860, saw four major candidates vying for the top spot: Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Unionist).
• The Candidates: Abraham Lincoln, a relatively unknown lawyer from Illinois, won the election with just 40% of the popular vote, but carried all 180 electoral votes in the North.
• The Southern States: 11 Southern states seceded from the Union in the months following Lincoln's election, citing states' rights and the threat to their institution of slavery.
• The Secession Timeline: South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860; Mississippi on January 9, 1861; Florida on January 10, 1861; Alabama on January 11, 1861; Georgia on January 19, 1861; Louisiana on January 26, 1861; Texas on March 2, 1861; Virginia on April 17, 1861; Arkansas on May 6, 1861; North Carolina on May 20, 1861; and Tennessee on June 8, 1861.
• The Border States: Four slave-holding states in the North remained in the Union: Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware.
• The Election's Impact: The election of 1860 marked the beginning of the American Civil War, which would last for four years and claim the lives of over 600,000 soldiers.
• The Fugitive Slave Act: The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, which required Northerners to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves, was a major point of contention leading up to the election.
• The Dred Scott Decision: The 1857 Supreme Court decision, which ruled that slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court, further polarized the country.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act: The 1854 law, which allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, led to pro-slavery and anti-slavery violence in the Kansas territory.
• The Underground Railroad: A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
• The Compromise of 1850: A series of laws passed to address the issue of slavery in the territories, but ultimately failed to resolve the issue.

Thought Bubble Imagine you're a young lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, in 1860. You've just heard that Abraham Lincoln, a relatively unknown lawyer from your town, has won the presidential election. You're excited, but also worried – what does this mean for the future of the country? You remember the heated debates you've had with your friends and family about slavery and states' rights. You've seen the tensions rise in the South, and you know that the election of Lincoln has only made things worse. As you walk through the streets of Springfield, you notice the sense of unease in the air. People are talking about secession, and the possibility of war. You wonder what the future holds for your country, and for your own family.

Why This Matters

• The Civil War's Lasting Impact: The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in American history, leading to the abolition of slavery and a more centralized federal government.
• The Reconstruction Era: The period following the Civil War, during which the South was occupied by federal troops and attempted to rebuild its economy and society.
• The Rise of Jim Crow Laws: The laws passed in the South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to disenfranchise African Americans and maintain white supremacy.
• The Civil Rights Movement: The movement of the 1950s and 1960s, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., to end segregation and secure equal rights for African Americans.
• The Legacy of Slavery: The ongoing impact of slavery on American society, including issues of racial inequality and economic disparities.
• The Importance of States' Rights: The ongoing debate over the balance of power between the federal government and individual states.
• The Role of the Supreme Court: The Court's role in shaping American history, including landmark decisions like Dred Scott and Brown v. Board of Education.

Crash Course Recap

• The Election of 1860 was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the beginning of the American Civil War.
• Abraham Lincoln won the election with just 40% of the popular vote, but carried all 180 electoral votes in the North.
• 11 Southern states seceded from the Union in the months following Lincoln's election.
• The Fugitive Slave Act, the Dred Scott Decision, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act were all major points of contention leading up to the election.
• The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
• The Compromise of 1850 failed to resolve the issue of slavery in the territories.
• The American Civil War was a four-year conflict that claimed the lives of over 600,000 soldiers.
• The Reconstruction Era followed the Civil War, during which the South was occupied by federal troops and attempted to rebuild its economy and society.
• The Rise of Jim Crow Laws and the Civil Rights Movement were both responses to the ongoing legacy of slavery and racial inequality.
• The Supreme Court has played a crucial role in shaping American history, including landmark decisions like Dred Scott and Brown v. Board of Education.

Quiz Yourself

1. Who won the 1860 presidential election? a) Abraham Lincoln b) Stephen A. Douglas c) John C. Breckinridge d) John Bell

Answer: a) Abraham Lincoln

1. How many Southern states seceded from the Union in the months following Lincoln's election? a) 5 b) 10 c) 11 d) 15

Answer: c) 11

1. What was the name of the network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North? a) The Underground Railroad b) The Freedom Trail c) The Escape Route d) The Secret Path

Answer: a) The Underground Railroad

1. What was the name of the law passed in 1850 that allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery? a) The Kansas-Nebraska Act b) The Fugitive Slave Act c) The Compromise of 1850 d) The Dred Scott Decision

Answer: a) The Kansas-Nebraska Act

1. How many soldiers died in the American Civil War? a) 100,000 b) 200,000 c) 600,000 d) 1,000,000

Answer: c) 600,000