3.1. Causes
Already at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the society of the United States began to divide itself. The Northern States, that industrialized more and more, increasingly reject slavery. The sociopolitical and moral criticism grew since slavery was contradicted the spirit of the American constitution, where is appointed that all humans are born equal and free. The agricultural Southern States, which operated plantations, were dependent on the cooperation of slaves. So, they were not interested in social or legal changes. After the territorial expansion phase around 1850, the conflict occurred in the foreground since the spread and the connection of new states brought on disputes. In the “Compromise of 1850” was decided that …show more content…
They debated on the expansion of slavery in the west. In this party, Abraham Lincoln rose to the leading politician. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska act was adopted. It stated that the inhabitants of both territories can decide whether they need slaves or not. This implied the repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This compromise stipulated that Maine and North Louisiana are states without slavery and in Missouri slavery is allowed. In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled that black slaves have no civil rights. Besides they are not free by staying in a territory without slavery. James Buchanan was the president of the United States from 1857 to 1861. Thus, he was the last president before the outbreak of the war. His politics had a significant role in the development of the political crisis. He was a conservative Democrat, opposed the Abolitionists, nevertheless against the radical Southerners. However, his politics benefited the Southerners. In 1859 the Abolitionist John Brown and his troops attacked the arsenal Harper's Ferry in Virginia. He wanted to found a new independent state in the Appalachian together with freed slaves, but he was defeated by the military. He and six followers …show more content…
They stood up for the Union and did not want slavery in their territories, but tolerated it in the Southern States. The Democrats could not agree on one common candidate. On the one hand Stephen A. Douglas was nominated. He warned about the secession of the Southern States. He wanted the citizens of the individual territories to decide for themselves on slavery. On the other hand John C. Breckinridge was nominated. He wanted the protection of slavery in the territories. The fourth candidate was John Bell. He was nominated by the Constitutional Union Party, which was created from the remains of the old Whig Party and American Party. Primarily, he pursued the preservation of the Union. The election results were as follows: Lincoln won the election with 40%. Above all, he was chosen by 180 electors. Only a total of 23 electors voted for his opponents. Douglas got 29% of the votes, followed by Breckinridge with 18% and finally Bell with 13% of thr votes. Lincoln received the majority votes in 18 northern and western states. Breckinridge in eleven southern states and Bell in three states in the center. Douglas reached the majority just in Missouri and New Jersey. Consequently, Abraham was the new president of the United States of America since 4th March
Already at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the society of the United States began to divide itself. The Northern States, that industrialized more and more, increasingly reject slavery. The sociopolitical and moral criticism grew since slavery was contradicted the spirit of the American constitution, where is appointed that all humans are born equal and free. The agricultural Southern States, which operated plantations, were dependent on the cooperation of slaves. So, they were not interested in social or legal changes. After the territorial expansion phase around 1850, the conflict occurred in the foreground since the spread and the connection of new states brought on disputes. In the “Compromise of 1850” was decided that …show more content…
They debated on the expansion of slavery in the west. In this party, Abraham Lincoln rose to the leading politician. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska act was adopted. It stated that the inhabitants of both territories can decide whether they need slaves or not. This implied the repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This compromise stipulated that Maine and North Louisiana are states without slavery and in Missouri slavery is allowed. In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled that black slaves have no civil rights. Besides they are not free by staying in a territory without slavery. James Buchanan was the president of the United States from 1857 to 1861. Thus, he was the last president before the outbreak of the war. His politics had a significant role in the development of the political crisis. He was a conservative Democrat, opposed the Abolitionists, nevertheless against the radical Southerners. However, his politics benefited the Southerners. In 1859 the Abolitionist John Brown and his troops attacked the arsenal Harper's Ferry in Virginia. He wanted to found a new independent state in the Appalachian together with freed slaves, but he was defeated by the military. He and six followers …show more content…
They stood up for the Union and did not want slavery in their territories, but tolerated it in the Southern States. The Democrats could not agree on one common candidate. On the one hand Stephen A. Douglas was nominated. He warned about the secession of the Southern States. He wanted the citizens of the individual territories to decide for themselves on slavery. On the other hand John C. Breckinridge was nominated. He wanted the protection of slavery in the territories. The fourth candidate was John Bell. He was nominated by the Constitutional Union Party, which was created from the remains of the old Whig Party and American Party. Primarily, he pursued the preservation of the Union. The election results were as follows: Lincoln won the election with 40%. Above all, he was chosen by 180 electors. Only a total of 23 electors voted for his opponents. Douglas got 29% of the votes, followed by Breckinridge with 18% and finally Bell with 13% of thr votes. Lincoln received the majority votes in 18 northern and western states. Breckinridge in eleven southern states and Bell in three states in the center. Douglas reached the majority just in Missouri and New Jersey. Consequently, Abraham was the new president of the United States of America since 4th March