This created the opening for the newly reformed Republican Party, mainly Abraham Lincoln, to win the White House.

The election of Lincoln, who was clearly opposed to slavery spreading to the outside of the existing states, was the last step as far as the South was concerned in proceeding with secession and eventually war.

In the six weeks following the election of Lincoln South Carolina seceded from the Union and over the next month five more states would follow.

James Buchanan, a now lame duck president, took no action against the South which only straighten the confidence of the already seceding states allowing them to set up a government and establish a military. Buchanan, a southern sympathizer, wanted to stay at arms length and do the minimum towards the treasonous South. He apparently wanted to up hold what he thought was the minimum standard under his presidential oath till he could vacate the White House.

When he finally did leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue he va

Some topics in this essay:
Robert Toombs, Oval Office, Nebraska Kansas, William Yancy, James Buchanan, President Buchanan, GienappP60 Stevens, Jefferson Davis, House Representatives, Sumter April, president buchanan, southern leaders, election lincoln, slave holding, power oval office, oval office, white house, non-slave holding, buchanan southern, throughout south, lame duck,