History P3 - Chapter 4.3 - The Drift to Civil War, 1859–1861

Who was John Brown?

A radical abolitionist who believed in armed insurrection to end slavery.

What was John Brown’s earlier involvement before 1859?

He led anti-slavery forces during “Bleeding Kansas.”

What happened at Harpers Ferry in October 1859?

Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal to arm enslaved people for rebellion.

Who stopped John Brown’s raid?

U.S. Marines under Robert E. Lee.

What happened to John Brown after the raid?

He was captured, tried for treason, and executed.

How did Northerners react to John Brown?

Mixed: some horrified by violence, others admired his moral courage; strengthened abolitionist resolve.

How did Southerners react to John Brown?

Outrage and fear; saw it as evidence of a Northern conspiracy to incite slave revolts.

Why was Harpers Ferry significant?

Showed violence over slavery was national, deepened mistrust, made Brown a martyr in the North and a terror figure in the South.

Why was the U.S. deeply divided before the 1860 election?

Over slavery and sectionalism.

How was the Democratic Party divided in 1860?

Northern Democrats supported Stephen Douglas; Southern Democrats supported John C. Breckinridge.

Who did the Constitutional Union Party nominate?

John Bell, who tried to preserve the Union.

What was Abraham Lincoln’s position in 1860?

Republican candidate opposing expansion of slavery into new territories.

What was the outcome of the 1860 election?

Lincoln won with only Northern electoral votes, but it was enough to secure the presidency.

How did the North react to Lincoln’s victory?

Celebrated; saw Republicans gaining power and preventing slavery’s expansion.

How did the South react to Lincoln’s victory?

Outrage; saw it as proof they were politically powerless, triggering secession.

Why was the election of 1860 significant?

Final political crisis leading to Civil War; showed compromise was impossible; directly triggered Southern secession.

Which state seceded first and when?

South Carolina, December 1860.

Which other states followed by February 1861?

Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas.

What new government was formed in February 1861?

The Confederate States of America.

Who became President of the Confederacy?

Jefferson Davis.

What did the Confederate constitution guarantee?

Protection of slavery and state sovereignty.

How did the North react to secession?

Shock and alarm; Lincoln sought to preserve the Union without immediate war.

How did the South view secession?

As necessary to defend slavery and their way of life; united politically under the Confederacy.

Why was secession politically significant?

Marked the collapse of national unity and failure of compromise.

How did secession set the stage for war?

Created a rival government; made conflict inevitable, leading to Fort Sumter in April 1861.

What was the overall significance of secession?

Final step in the drift to war; showed extreme polarization between North and South.