How did abraham lincolnʼs election lead to the civil war?

How did Abraham Lincoln’s Election Lead to the Civil War?

The election of Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President of the United States in 1860 was a turning point in American history, leading to the secession of 11 Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War. Lincoln’s victory was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery, which was a cornerstone of the Southern economy and way of life. In this article, we will explore how Lincoln’s election led to the Civil War.

The Issue of Slavery

The issue of slavery was a contentious one in the United States in the mid-19th century. The Northern states had abolished slavery, while the Southern states relied heavily on it as a source of labor. The debate over slavery had been ongoing for decades, with the abolitionist movement gaining momentum in the North.

Lincoln, a member of the newly formed Republican Party, was a strong opponent of slavery. He believed that it was morally wrong and that it was a threat to the principles of liberty and equality. In his famous "House Divided" speech, Lincoln declared that the United States could not long continue to exist half-slave and half-free.

The Election of 1860

The election of 1860 was a closely contested one, with four major candidates vying for the presidency. Lincoln, the Republican candidate, was seen as a long shot, but he won the election with a majority of the electoral votes.

The results of the election were as follows:

The Secession Crisis

The election of Lincoln was seen as a disaster by many in the South. They believed that his victory would lead to the abolition of slavery, which would be economically devastating for the region. In the weeks following the election, several Southern states seceded from the Union, including:

• South Carolina (December 20, 1860)
• Mississippi (January 9, 1861)
• Florida (January 10, 1861)
• Alabama (January 11, 1861)
• Georgia (January 19, 1861)
• Louisiana (January 26, 1861)
• Texas (March 2, 1861)
• Virginia (April 17, 1861)
• Arkansas (May 6, 1861)
Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns Now


• North Carolina (May 20, 1861)
• Tennessee (June 8, 1861)

The Formation of the Confederacy

The seceding states formed the Confederate States of America, with Jefferson Davis as its president. The Confederacy was a sovereign nation, with its own government, military, and economy.

The Start of the Civil War

The election of Lincoln and the secession of the Southern states led to the start of the Civil War. The war was fought between the Union (the Northern states) and the Confederacy (the Southern states) from 1861 to 1865.

Key Events Leading to the Civil War

Here are some key events that led to the Civil War:

• Fort Sumter: In April 1861, Confederate forces fired on Union troops at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, starting the Civil War.
• First Battle of Bull Run: In July 1861, Union forces were defeated by Confederate forces at the First Battle of Bull Run, near Manassas, Virginia.
• Emancipation Proclamation: In January 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in Confederate territory.
• Gettysburg Address: In November 1863, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a famous speech that redefined the purpose of the war as a struggle for freedom and equality.

Conclusion

The election of Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President of the United States in 1860 was a turning point in American history, leading to the secession of 11 Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War. Lincoln’s opposition to slavery and his commitment to preserving the Union were seen as a threat by the Southern states, leading to the formation of the Confederacy and the start of the war.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• The issue of slavery was a contentious one in the United States in the mid-19th century.
• Lincoln’s election as the 16th President of the United States in 1860 was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery.
• The secession of 11 Southern states from the Union led to the formation of the Confederacy.
• The Civil War was fought between the Union and the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865.
• Key events leading to the Civil War included the Fort Sumter, First Battle of Bull Run, Emancipation Proclamation, and Gettysburg Address.

I hope this article has provided a clear and concise overview of how Abraham Lincoln’s election led to the Civil War.