The Succession of States Flashcards
how did succeeded states act
By February 1861 the secessionist governments ordered the seizure of federal property – post offices, customs houses, arsenals, the New Orleans mint and forts. However some forts decided to hold out against the secessionists, including Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour. Buchanan sent an unarmed ship for provisions to these forts but it was driven off by South Carolina’s cannon. The Union commander concentrated his 70 men in Fort Sumter and did not surrender.
How did Lincoln react to succession
Lincoln decided not take back federal property and only to provision Anderson’s men, not to reinforce them. Lincoln appealed for peace in a memorable phrase ‘to the better angels of our nature’.
As the provision ships were dispatched South Carolina decided to fire on Fort Sumter on 12th April 1861.
In response, there was a rapid deployment of Union forces to ensure that the border states of Missouri, Maryland, Kentucky, and West Virginia, where opinion was divided, did not join the upper South in seceding in April.
why did Lincoln act the way he did - confederate views
The Confederacy was willing to offer compensation for any federal property taken. In which case withdrawal might have left the way open for negotiation. Although withdrawal would have implied that Lincoln was recognising the Confederacy as a separate political entity in which US troops would have no right to garrison forts.
why did Lincoln act the way he did- republican policies
Lincoln had committed himself to a distinct policy towards secession and insisted that the Union was unbroken during his inaugural address. Lincoln was determined to not use force or invasion. If he did it would probably drive the Upper South to join the Confederacy.
why did Lincoln act the way he did - reputation
Lincoln could not be seen to be weak. He had not been the expected choice as president, he was not a well known national figure. After previous weak presidents he could not be seen to be another.
why did Lincoln act the way he did - support
Lincoln needed to be seen to support Anderson at Fort Sumter as he had been seen as a hero in the North for his actions. Whilst federal troops were at Fort Sumter, the point was being made that Lincoln saw South Carolina as US territory in which he as commander in chief had every right to maintain US troops.
Lincoln informed Governor Pickens of South Carolina that he was ordering provisions for Fort Sumter.
what were the confederate government views
When the Confederate government allowed South Carolina to fire the first fatal shot it had a lot to do with establishing the principle that US troops were essentially on foreign soil and that provisioning them was akin to warlike act against another power.
what were the confederate decisions the result of
These decisions were the result of a longer term breakdown of relations between sections. Lincoln was despised, feared and hated by the more extreme and determined Southern leaders that it was difficult for them to negotiate with him. He was seen as a representative of Northern attitudes that had become threatening and unpopular. However, Lincoln felt equally threatened by the South and the ‘peculiar institution’.
why did the option of peace breakdown
By April 1861 the options for a compromise were running out – Lincoln could hardly accept Seward’s views that he should simply hand over power to colleagues who might negotiate a settlement and cement it by starting a foreign war. (Secretary of State, Seward said he should take over the government and start a war with England in order to rally the nation)
Lincoln knew that sending ships to Sumter would result in war but was prepared to risk it as an option.
The Southern leaders knew that Northern opinion would not accept a direct attack on Sumter and that once the cannon had been fired there would be war.
Both sides had come to the view that conflict was inevitable and both thought they would win.
