History Storyboard

Lincoln Elected

The South Secedes

Attempt at Compromise

The Confederacy

Reactions to Secession

Presidential Responses

With the Democrats divided, Lincoln won a clear majority of the electoral votes- 180 out of 303. Lincoln's name didn't even appear on the ballot in most Southern states, but he won every Northern state.

Lincoln and the Republicans had promised not to disturb slavery where it had already existed. On December 20, 1860, the South's long standing threat to leave the Union became a reality when South Carolina held a convention and voted to Secede.

As other Southern states debated secession, leaders in Washington D.C worked quickly to make a last-minute compromise. Kentucky's Senator wanted to protect slavery in a new southern territory and the Republicans were not happy about that idea. The Republicans were told that slavery would not be extended.

By February of 1861, 6 other southern states joined South Carolina and also seceded. That is when the Confederate States of America was born, when delegate's from those 6 states and South Carolina met in Alabama. They chose the Mississippi Senator as their president.

Many southerners welcomed secession. In South Carolina, people rang church bells, fired cannons, and celebrated in the streets. Other southerners were disappointed at how divided the U.S was becoming because of the Union.

Lincoln had won the election, but he was not yet president. Buchanan's term ran until March 4, 1861. Buchanan wrote a letter to Congress stating that the South had no right to secede but he had no power to stop them. Once Lincoln was inaugurated, he said that seceding was not permitted.