Lecture/presentation exploring the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, the events surrounding the mail-steamer the Trent, and the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter.

1. Reflect:
Summarize the Election of 1860 (who was involved?) and the events
which occurred following that pivotal election.
The Outbreak of Civil War
Political cartoon referencing the candidates in
the 1860 election (above) and Abraham
Lincoln, circa 1860 (right)

2. 1
Lincoln’s First Inaugural
Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln at the Capitol, March 4, 1861
March 1861, Lincoln
was sworn in as
president
Lincoln declared
secession was
impossible, he would
not attack/invade the
South, and he had no
intention of ending
slavery where it already
existed
Lincoln closed with a
plea for a restoration
of the Union

3. 4:26The Secret Plot to Kill Abraham
Lincoln

4. 3
Lincoln and the Constitution
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution Lincoln, circa 1861
Lincoln swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, but proceeded to
violate the Constitution
Lincoln’s violations of the Constitution:
Lincoln boldly proclaimed a blockade
Lincoln increased the size of the Federal army
Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus
#1:
#2:
#3:

5. 4
Europe and the Trent Affair
C.S.A. diplomat,
James M. Mason
C.S.A. diplomat,
John Slidell
Artistic depiction of the boarding of the C.S.A. Trent
If U.S. should break into two parts, Europe would be delighted –
Europe could easily defy the Monroe Doctrine
Europe’s ruling classes were openly sympathetic to Confederates,
while Europe’s working classes were often supportive of the North
1861, Union warship stopped British mail steamer, the Trent and
took into custody two C.S.A. diplomats headed for England –
England was furious and tensions eventually eased (“One war at a
time” - Lincoln)

6. 5
The Attack on Fort Sumter
The bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston
Harbor, April 12 and 13, 1861
5 days after South Carolina
seceded Union troops led by
Robert Anderson took hold of
Fort Sumter in Charleston
Harbor, SC
C.S.A. called for the Union to
evacuate the fort
Lincoln adopted a middle-of-the-road solution, sending an expedition
to provision Fort Sumter (South didn’t care it was just “provisions”)
April 12, 1861, at 4:30am, the C.S.A batteries opened fire – the Civil
War had begun

7. 2:41PBS: The Civil War, Fort Sumter

8. 7
Reactions to the Fort Sumter Attack
Confederate Flag over fallen Fort Sumter, 1861 Union troops cross into Northern Virginia following
the secession of Virginia
Assault on Fort Sumter provoked North’s will to fight – April 15, 1861,
Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 militiamen (volunteers answered call!)
Lincoln’s call for troops angered the South – April 17, 1861, Virginia
seceded, followed by AK, TN, and NC
Richmond, Virginia, then replaced Montgomery, Alabama, as the
Confederate capital

9. 2:23Sound Smart: Fort Sumter & the
Civil War

10. 2:29How The Civil War Got Its Start

11. Homework:
Reflect
In two paragraphs, summarize the debate surrounding the
Confederate flag and explain where you stand (and why).
Wrapping-Up
Do you think the Civil War could have been avoided,
or, was it inevitably going to occur? Explain.
Brief video discussing the legacy of the
Confederate flag (above) and a man
carries a Confederate flag (left)