1860
Dear diary,
Something big has happened. A man named Jefferson Davis convinced Congress to end federal interference with slavery. Father has been on a rampage ever since this occurred, he claims that his way of life is under attack, as do most southerners. As the Election of 1860 has been going on, the democrats couldn't make up their minds on if they wanted a platform supporting federal protection over slavery or not. In the end they ended up splitting into the northern and southern democrats. My Father is a southern democrat, for the campaign they elected a man named John C. Beckinridge. The Republicans ended up nominating Abraham Lincoln. The Republicans wished to block slavery in the territories, yet Lincoln did not touch slavery in the south.
In conclusion, Lincoln ended up winning. This came as a great surprise to the south as Lincoln was not even on the poles here, he did not receive a single vote from the south. Here at home there has been many riots and rampages of anger, the south as a whole felt like they weren't even part of the Union if their votes didn't matter. Personally I am glad Lincoln is president, if he can end slavery at least somewhere, such as the territories, then its a start to ending something that is such a bug issue in the United States.
I have attached map showing each states votes: here you can clearly see not one person in the south voted for Lincoln as it was either Breckinridge (southern democrat) or Bell (Whigs):
Love, Florence
1861Dear Diary, A few weeks ago South Carolina decided to leave the United States! Their secession has been a huge influence on other states, here is the article in the newspaper that father came home with today, followed by a politicaal cartoon that was also in the newspaper, depicting Lincoln walking a tight rope with the weight of an African American on his shoulders:
SOUTH CAROLINA SECEDES: THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA
Infuriated with the election of Lincoln, South Carolina's legislator summoned a state convention, ending with the declaration of separation with the US. They claim they cannot be under the control of a president whose "opinions are so hostile towards slavery". In the next few weeks six other states joined South Carolina's secession. This new country has been titled the Confederate States of America. The newfound constitution stresses the imprortance of slavery and the independence of each stated. Written By John Smith
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1861
Dear Diary,Father came home with the news that President Lincoln stated that there would be no war unless the south begins it. Father scoffed at this news and implied that Lincoln was asking for it. Even though father didn't completely agree with the secession, he ultimately opposed Lincoln.
When the Southern states seceded, they seized federal forts and there remained four left. The newspaper said that the most important of which was Fort Sumter. After Buchanan's failed attempt to send troops to the fort, Licoln, intending to keep the Union together, had to decide wether or not to surrender.
In April, the Confederate troops lacked necessities and Lincoln decided to aid them with food. The soldiers were suspicious of his acts and engaged in more warfare, leading the Union to surrender.
To explain what this surrender caused the Union, I found this nifty audio/video file to explain...
(http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/us-inches-closer-to-war)
Love, Florence
1861
Dear Diary,In school, we were to make a list of the advantages of both sides of the war: the Union and the Confederacy. I enclosed my list Below:
Advantages of the Union Advantages of the Confederacy
- Bigger population ( 22 mil vs 9 mil) - - Psychological advantage (fought only for
- The advantage of a well-organized navy - survival
- The advantage of a well-organized navy - survival
(250 warships = Blockading) - - Strong military tradition
- Industry helps withs warfare necessities - - Strong leaders (Robert E. Lee : outstandi-- Has an established/strong government as - ng record/ inspiring military leadership)
the Confederacy has a weaker - - only had to avoid defeat
government - - North has to protect their Capitol (DC)
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| Union vs Confederacy: Sart to the Civil War |
It appears that Robert E. Lee might even be one of the biggest advantage that the South has. His leadership throughout the upcoming war is sure to help them. Personally, it just doesn't make sense to me why Lee is helping the South, he opposes slavery yet leads the side that is fighting for it. He claims he is doing it for his family and therefor must fight for them. It disappoints me seeing people like this, Lee has a chance to do good as the North has no commander as good as he is yet he remains on the wrong side of this war...
Love, Florence
Works Cited
"Annotated Bibliography on South Carolina's Secession." Alfredoannotated Bibliography.
Alfredoannated Bibliography, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
(https://alfredoannotatedbib.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/annotated-bibliography-on-south- carolinas-secession/)
"United States Presidential Election, 1860." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 4 Aug. 2009. Web. 3 Feb. 2016.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860)
"Wade-Davis Bill." LSAUSHistory. LSAUSHistory13, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
(http://lsaushistory13.wikispaces.com/Wade-Davis+Bill)
VCH, Jef. "Tag Archives: John C. Breckinridge." Vermont Humanities. Civil War Books of Days, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
(http://civilwarbookofdays.org/tag/john-c-breckinridge/)
"HarpWeek | Elections | 1860 Large Cartoons." HarpWeek | Elections | 1860 Large Cartoons. Harp Week, n.d. Web. 03 Feb.
2016. (http://elections.harpweek.com/1860/cartoon-1860-large.asp?UniqueID=12&Year=1860)
"The Path to Civil War Video." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
(http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/us-inches-closer-to-war)
What were the platforms of the parties in the 1860 election? what were the south's feelings after the election?
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