Abraham Lincoln: Peacemaker Or Catalyst?

Abraham Lincoln: Peacemaker or Catalyst?

The increasingly diverging economies of the North and South resulted in the development of different political and social ideologies. The South’s agrarian economy resulted in wealthy plantation owners investing their money into slaves, leading to weak institutions and little innovation. While New England’s economy benefited from factories and business ventures. New Englanders invested in transportation and internal improvements. Divisions surrounding taxes, tariffs, internal improvements and states rights versus federal rights was most prominent during the 1850’s. This period was most renown for it’s political compromises and violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery figures. Growing sectionalism

resulted in the formation of new parties based on geographical location and ideology. This led to the formation of the Republican Party, which nominated Lincoln for presidency. Although Abraham Lincoln’s goal was to preserve the Union, his election in 1860 ultimately made the Civil War inevitable. With Lincoln in power, compromise was unlikely, only adding to Southern fears of abolition. Southerners found themselves unable to block any pro-north legislation in the House or Senate leading to one option: secession. With the Union broken apart, there was only one method to reconcile the nation, means by force. The election of Lincoln led to a series of events that conclusively led to the American Civil War.

Before Lincoln was elected the North and South had vigorously attempted to reconcile relations through a multitude of compromises that might have made the war avoidable.

Although the two regions had always been divided, their intentions were never for war. Slavery proved to be an economic issue for the South, while Northerners viewed it as a moral dilemma. Failed compromises such as the Missouri Compromise, Wilmot Proviso, and the Compromise of 1850 demonstrated the desire for peace, but their inability to find compromise led to violence. The Civil War could’ve been avoided up to the Election of 1860 if any capable politician had provided reasonable terms for a compromise between the North and South. In addition, if any other candidate had been elected whose position on slavery wasn’t as firm and were more willing to compromise, solutions could’ve been found through politics instead of violence. However, once Lincoln was elected, any hopes for compromise or negotiation were shattered. Lincoln was firm in his beliefs and wasn’t willing to compromise with the South, ultimately leading to the Civil

War.

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 demonstrated the growing sectionalism within America.

Lincoln's election lead to the belief that Southern interests were no longer considered in the federal government, and that the government would outlaw slavery. However, Lincoln's only agenda was to preserve the union and restrict slavery where it already resided. Despite receiving no votes from Southerners, Lincoln was still able to win the election. Southerners viewed this as Northern conspirators planning the destruction of Southern institutions. Southerners virtually lost all political power due to the influx of immigrants in the North and the election of Lincoln. Southerners feared Lincoln would use federal power to push through the abolition of slavery. Lincoln’s desire to restrict slavery caused many Southerners to feel as though their constitutional rights were violated. With no representation in government Southerners felt the only solution was to secede from the Union and form their own government. In addition, Lincoln’s inaugural address made it clear that “the Union of these states is perpetual,” making clear that secession would not be tolerable. Lincoln's attitudes and policies after winning the Election of 1860 fueled the secessionist’s arguments of the South. If any other candidate had been elected, who was more willing to compromise, war would’ve been avoided and concessions could’ve been made to both sides. However, Lincoln couldn’t compromise with the South,

because the basis of his ideology rested on the restriction of slavery, leaving him with one option. When South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1861 it was the result of years of anger, fear, and their belief in nullification. Even if Southerners hadn’t attacked Fort Sumter in 1861, Lincoln would’ve been forced to become the aggressor leading to war in any foreseeable situation.