Abraham Lincoln, an anti-slavery candidate from the Republican Party, secured an Electoral College victory defeating Stephen Douglas from the Northern Democrats, John C. Breckinridge from the Southern and pro-slavery Democrats, and John Bell from the Constitution Union Party which favored preservation of the union while opposing expansion of slavery in new territories.
Secession Crisis (December 1860-February 1861)
- South Carolina declared its secession from the Union (December 20, 1860).
- Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas followed SC example
The Attack on Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861)
Fort Sumter, a union held installation in the Carolina state, surrendered to confederate forces after a fierce bombardment.