GIRDING FOR WAR: THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH
Abraham Lincoln took office on March 4, 1861. He became president of the disunited states because 7 states had already seceded.
THE MENACE OF SECESSION
*Lincoln's inaugural address stressed that there would be no conflict unless the S. provoked it. He said that secession was wholly impractical and he was right because the N&S were bound inseparably 2gether. If the S. were to depart would the S. be forced to pay their debt to the N and would they receive any of the jointly held federal lands?
*If the US were to break up this would benefit European imperialists
*SOUTH CAROLINA ASSAILS FORT SUMTER
*Fed. Forts in the S. seized arsenals, mints, and other public property w/in their borders. There remained only 2 forts that still flew the US flag in the S. 1 of which was Fort Sumter
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