The Great Debate: Lincoln Versus Douglas
The Lincoln-Douglas debates, particularly the one in Freeport, Illinois, highlighted the key issues surrounding slavery and popular sovereignty. Douglas's "Freeport Doctrine" attempted to reconcile popular sovereignty with the Dred Scott decision, ultimately costing him support in both North and South.
John Brown: Murderer or Martyr?
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was a failed attempt to incite a slave rebellion. Brown and his followers killed innocent people and were eventually captured, tried, and executed. While some viewed Brown as a martyr for the abolitionist cause, others saw him as an insane criminal.
Quote: John Brown's last words before his execution: "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood."
The Disruption of the Democrats
The 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, exposed deep divisions within the party over slavery. Southern Democrats walked out, leading to a split convention and ultimately two separate Democratic candidates: Stephen Douglas for the Northern Democrats and John C. Breckinridge for the Southern Democrats.
A Rail-Splitter Splits the Union
The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860. His election victory in November, despite not even appearing on the ballot in most Southern states, led to the secession crisis.
Vocabulary: "Rail-splitter" - A nickname for Abraham Lincoln, referring to his humble origins and work splitting wood rails for fences.
The Electoral Upheaval of 1860
The 1860 election saw four major candidates: Lincoln (Republican), Douglas (Northern Democrat), Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). Lincoln's victory, achieved without winning a single Southern state, precipitated the secession crisis.
The Secessionist Exodus
Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina voted to secede from the Union in December 1860. Six more states – Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas – soon followed. In February 1861, these seven states met in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America, setting the stage for the impending Civil War.
Highlight: The secession of Southern states marked the culmination of decades of sectional tensions and the failure of compromise efforts to preserve the Union.
