Changes

*the United States government would pay off up to $3.25 million worth of debts owed by Mexico to U.S. citizens, relieving Mexico of those obligations

*the United States government would pay off up to $3.25 million worth of debts owed by Mexico to U.S. citizens, relieving Mexico of those obligations

Polk was unhappy with the terms of this Treaty.  He wanted even more Mexican territory.  But he felt he had little choice other than submit this Treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification, which it did on March 10, 1848 by a margin of 38 to 14.  The 2/3rd minimum required for ratification was 2/3rd of 52, or 35.  The Treaty had passed by a margin of only 4 votes.

Polk was unhappy with the terms of this Treaty.  He wanted even more Mexican territory.  But he felt he had little choice other than submit this Treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification, which it did on March 10, 1848 by a margin of 38 to 14.  The 2/3rd minimum required for ratification was 2/3rd of 52, or 35.  The Treaty was ratified by a margin of only 4 votes.

Soon after the war began in 1846, Congressman David Wilmot introduced a rider (Aug. 1846) to an appropriations bill stipulating that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist" in any territory acquired from this war. Southern senators (especially South Carolina Senator John Calhoun) blocked this "Wilmot Proviso," but its concept was so powerful that it captured the abolutionist sentiment all the way until (and through) the Civil War.  The Wilmot Proviso had an influence on politics much as the call to stop abortion (and overturn ''Roe v. Wade'') does today.

Soon after the war began in 1846, Congressman David Wilmot introduced a rider (Aug. 1846) to an appropriations bill stipulating that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist" in any territory acquired from this war. Southern senators (especially South Carolina Senator John Calhoun) blocked this "Wilmot Proviso," but its concept was so powerful that it captured the abolutionist sentiment all the way until (and through) the Civil War.  The Wilmot Proviso had an influence on politics much as the call to stop abortion (and overturn ''Roe v. Wade'') does today.

In addition to all of Polk's accomplishments in adding territory, he also had a habit if seeing every single visitor that came to the White House!  Still a young man, Polk died shortly after leaving office of an exhaustion-induced illness.

In addition to all of Polk's accomplishments in adding territory, he also had a habit if seeing every single visitor who came to the White House!  Still a young man, Polk died shortly after leaving office of an exhaustion-induced illness.

==Taylor, Fillmore and the Compromise of 1850==

==Taylor, Fillmore and the Compromise of 1850==

*Texas received $10M to pay off its debt in return for accepting a narrower western boundary and give up claims to New Mexico and territory that became other states

*Texas received $10M to pay off its debt in return for accepting a narrower western boundary and give up claims to New Mexico and territory that became other states

Senators Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and Stephen Douglas argued for this Compromise; South Carolina (and pro-slavery) John Calhoun was against it.

Senators Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and Stephen Douglas argued for this Compromise; South Carolina (and pro-slavery) Senator John Calhoun opposed it.<ref>http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar18.html</ref>  This was the last great issue for the longtime Senators Calhoun, Clay and Webster.  Calhoun died a few weeks later.

The Fugitive Slave Act was particularly offensive to northerners and especially outrageous to abolitionists.  It amended the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 in order to appoint federal commissioners to catch slaves who fled to northern states, without giving them due process.

The Fugitive Slave Act was particularly offensive to northerners and especially outrageous to abolitionists.  It amended the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 in order to appoint federal commissioners to catch slaves who fled to northern states, without giving them due process.

=="Bleeding Kansas"==

=="Bleeding Kansas"==

The Republican Party was founded in 1854 in a reaction and opposition to the concept of "popular sovereignty" pushed into law by Douglas in the Kansas-Nebraska Act. "Popular sovereignty" meant that each new territory should make its own decision, by popular vote, whether to allow slavery. The new Republican Party took its name from Jefferson's Republican Party because, like Jefferson, the new Republican Party opposed slavery in the new territories. The Party brought in Whigs and members of the small "Free Soil Party," which had been based on the Wilmot Proviso (which passed the House but not the Senate). The Wilmot Proviso stated that none of the territory acquired from Mexico should be opened to slavery.

The Republican Party was founded in 1854 in a reaction and opposition to the concept of "popular sovereignty" pushed into law by Douglas in the Kansas-Nebraska Act. "Popular sovereignty" meant that each new territory should make its own decision, by popular vote, whether to allow slavery. The new Republican Party took its name from Jefferson's Republican Party because, like Jefferson, the new Republican Party opposed slavery in the new territories. The Republican Party brought in Whigs and members of the small "Free Soil Party," which had been based on the Wilmot Proviso (which passed the House but not the Senate). The Wilmot Proviso stated that none of the territory acquired from Mexico should be opened to slavery.

Almost immediately after enactment of popular sovereignty in the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), it was put to the test in 1855 in Kansas. Civil war in Kansas broke out between free and slave forces. In early 1856, pro-slavery forces burned down the "Free State Hotel" and destroyed the offices and presses of antislavery newspapers. A man was killed.  

Almost immediately after enactment of popular sovereignty in the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), it was put to the test in 1855 in Kansas. Civil war in Kansas broke out between free and slave forces. In early 1856, pro-slavery forces burned down the "Free State Hotel" and destroyed the offices and presses of antislavery newspapers. A man was killed.  

In retaliation, the fanatical white John Brown took four of his sons and two others and went to Pottawatomie in Kansas and executed five (5) pro-slavery colonists.  This event became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre.  Unlike most abolitionists, Brown supported violent action against slavery.  As time went on, more and more blood was shed in Kansas.

In retaliation, the fanatical white John Brown took four of his sons and two others and went to Pottawatomie in Kansas, and executed five (5) pro-slavery colonists.  This event became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre.  Unlike most abolitionists, Brown supported violent action against slavery.  As time went on, more and more blood was shed in Kansas.

In the "Crime against Kansas" speech, an abolitionist Senator from Massachusetts Charles Sumner described the slave oligarchy and insulted and humiliated the absent and elderly Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina. In retaliation, Butler's nephew, Preston Butler, who was a congressman, went into Sumner's chambers and beat him senseless with a cane.  It took Sumner many years to recover. Preston Butler immediately resigned but became such a hero to the South that he was unanimously reelected by his district.

In the "Crime against Kansas" speech, an abolitionist Senator from Massachusetts Charles Sumner described the slave oligarchy and insulted and humiliated the absent and elderly Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina. In retaliation, Butler's nephew, Preston Butler, who was a congressman, went into Sumner's chambers and beat him senseless with a cane.  It took Sumner many years to recover. Preston Butler immediately resigned but became such a hero to the South that he was unanimously reelected by his district.

The Lecompton Constitution was an effort to stop the violence in Kansas.  This pro-slavery document was designed as a response to the positions of the abolitionists.  The Lecompton Constitution never took effect as it was first rejected by Congress and then defeated by a referendum (vote) in the state of Kansas.

The Lecompton Constitution was an effort to stop the violence in Kansas.  This pro-slavery document was designed as a response to the positions of the abolitionists.  The Lecompton Constitution never took effect as it was first rejected by Congress and then defeated by a referendum (vote) in the state of Kansas.

By the end of his Administration, Pierce could claim "a peaceful condition of things in Kansas." But the Democrats refused to renominate him for a campaign for a second term, turning to the less controversial James Buchanan. Pierce returned to New Hampshire, leaving his successor to face the rising fury of the sectional whirlwind. He died in 1869.

By the end of his Administration, Pierce could claim "a peaceful condition of things in Kansas." But the Democrats refused to renominate him for a campaign for a second term, turning to the less controversial James Buchanan. Pierce returned to New Hampshire, leaving his successor to face the rising fury of the sectional whirlwind. Pierce died in 1869.

==Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln: Irreconcilably Different==

==Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln: Irreconcilably Different==

But real leaders were arising outside of the presidency:  Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.  Douglas was the Jacksonian Democrat, while Lincoln was initially the anti-Jackson Whig.  Everything between President Jackson (1836) and the Civil War (1861) can be understood through the eyes of Douglas and Lincoln.  Both were from Illinois, a state that was ideologically in the middle between the North and the South.   

Real leaders were arising outside of the presidency:  Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.  Douglas was the Jacksonian Democrat, while Lincoln was initially the anti-Jackson Whig.  Everything between President Jackson (1836) and the Civil War (1861) can be understood through the eyes of Douglas and Lincoln.  Both were from Illinois, a state that was ideologically in the middle between the North and the South.   

Illinois was a key state because it was just across the Mississippi river from Missouri, which was a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820.  There was a good deal of violence there leading up to the Civil War.

Illinois was a key state because it was just across the Mississippi river from Missouri, which was a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820.  There was a good deal of violence there leading up to the Civil War.

Elijah Lovejoy was a pastor in St. Louis, and in 1837, he started a newspaper called the ''St. Louis Observer'' which published articles against slavery.  The opposition to his paper was so great that he had to move to Alton, Illinois.  There, he kept publishing articles against slavery.

Elijah Lovejoy was a pastor in St. Louis, and in 1837 he started a newspaper called the ''St. Louis Observer'', which published articles against slavery.  The opposition to his paper was so great that he had to move to Alton, Illinois.  There, he kept publishing articles against slavery.

But the opposition didn't cease, and Lovejoy's printing press was thrown into the river three times.  The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society gave him a new printing press, and local slave owners decided to destroy it.  A mob came over from St. Louis and Lovejoy was killed trying to protect his press.  This violence shocked the North.

But the opposition didn't cease, and Lovejoy's printing press was thrown into the river three times.  The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society gave him a new printing press, and local slave owners decided to destroy it.  A mob came over from St. Louis and Lovejoy was killed trying to protect his press.  This violence shocked the North.

On economic issues, Lincoln sought national unity (remember, he represented railroads).  Douglas did not care much for economic issues, but also wanted to keep the nation together.

On economic issues, Lincoln sought national unity (remember, he represented railroads).  Douglas did not care much for economic issues, but also wanted to keep the nation together.

Consider for yourself which person, Lincoln or Douglas, is likely to be more sympathetic to slavery?  Is either going to be entirely pro-slave or abolitionist?  No, both were in the middle on the slavery issue, neither entirely for or against slavery.

Consider for yourself which person, Lincoln or Douglas, was likely to be more sympathetic to slavery?  Is either going to be entirely pro-slave or abolitionist?  No, both were in the middle on the slavery issue, neither entirely for nor against slavery.

Both Lincoln and Douglas looked for ways to avoid the coming Civil War.  Many Americans, beginning with Jefferson, started to worry about how slavery was ripping the country apart.  Jefferson used to wake up in a cold sweat after having nightmares about the tragic future that the United States faced over the issue.

Both Lincoln and Douglas looked for ways to avoid the coming Civil War.  Many Americans, beginning with Jefferson, started to worry about how slavery was ripping the country apart.  Jefferson used to wake up in a cold sweat after having nightmares about the tragic future that the United States faced over the issue.

In 1858, Lincoln and Douglas ran against each another for Senate.  Their debates that year became known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and they dealt primarily with slavery.  In the end, Douglas won the race by a vote in the legislature (at that time legislatures, not the public, picked the U.S. Senators).  But Lincoln gained valuable publicity which helped him succeed later.  The presidential debates that are held today were inspired by the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

In 1858, Lincoln and Douglas ran against each another for Senate.  Their debates that year became known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and they dealt primarily with slavery.  In the end, Douglas won the race by a vote in the legislature (at that time legislatures, not the public, picked the U.S. Senators).  But Lincoln gained valuable publicity that helped him succeed later.  The presidential debates that are held today were inspired by the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

==The Debate over Slavery==

==The Debate over Slavery==

The debate over slavery was a prolonged battle with many people involved.

The debate over slavery was a prolonged battle with many people involved.

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'', a novel which criticizes slavery by painting a very unfavorable picture of life as a slave.  The book had an enormous impact on public sentiment and the Civil War.  Harriet Beecher Stowe was the white daughter of a prominent New England congregational minister.  When Abraham Lincoln later met her in 1862, he described her as "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!"<ref name="Uncle Tom">http://www.africanaonline.com/slavery_toms_cabin.htm</ref>  Then southerners criticized (and banned) the book by claiming it was horribly exaggerated; today the book is criticized for its racist stereotypes about African Americans.<ref name="Uncle Tom"/>  But no one doubts its huge impact on America, and Europe.  It may have been the best-selling book of the entire 19th century, other than the Bible.<ref name="Uncle Tom"/>

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'', a novel that criticizes slavery by painting a very unfavorable picture of life as a slave.  The book had an enormous impact on public sentiment and the Civil War.  Harriet Beecher Stowe was the white daughter of a prominent New England congregational minister.  When Abraham Lincoln later met her in 1862, he described her as "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!"<ref name="Uncle Tom">http://www.africanaonline.com/slavery_toms_cabin.htm</ref>  Then southerners criticized (and banned) the book by claiming it was horribly exaggerated; today the book is criticized for its racist stereotypes about African Americans.<ref name="Uncle Tom"/>  But no one doubts its huge impact on America, and Europe.  It may have been the best-selling book of the entire 19th century, other than the Bible.<ref name="Uncle Tom"/>

''Dred Scott v. Sanford'' was a Supreme Court case in 1857, and (along with Roe v. Wade a century later) the most notorious Supreme Court case in history.  The ''Dred Scott'' decision ruled that blacks have no rights and cannot sue, and are not even real citizens.  It also established that Congress cannot grant freedom to slaves, because slaves are the "property" of slaveowners.  Through this decision, the court sought to put an end to the questions about slavery, but the exact opposite occurred.  The ''Dred Scott'' case greatly heightened conflict and outrage about slavery.  Historians speculate that President James Buchanan secretly played a role in the pro-slavery outcome by communicating with Justices on the Supreme Court.

''Dred Scott v. Sanford'' was a Supreme Court decision in 1857, and (along with ''Roe v. Wade'' a century later) the most notorious Supreme Court case in history.  The ''Dred Scott'' decision ruled that blacks have no rights and cannot sue, and are not even real citizens.  It also established that Congress cannot grant freedom to slaves, because slaves are the "property" of slave owners.  With this decision, the Court sought to put an end to the questions about slavery, but the exact opposite occurred.  The ''Dred Scott'' ruling greatly heightened conflict and outrage about slavery.  Historians speculate that President James Buchanan secretly played a role in the pro-slavery outcome by communicating with Justices on the Supreme Court.

The ''Dred Scott'' decision played a part in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.  At the debate in Fremont, Illinois, Lincoln asked Douglas if a territory could exclude slavery under the decision.  Douglas said that a territory could exclude slavery if it created laws which made it impossible to enforce slavery.  This was consistent with his idea of "popular sovereignty", but this "Freeport Doctrine" caused South to turn against Douglas because it meant that slaves could be freed from slaveowners if a majority voted that way.

The ''Dred Scott'' decision played a part in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.  At the debate in Freeport, Illinois, Lincoln asked Douglas if a territory could exclude slavery under the decision.  Douglas said that a territory could exclude slavery if it created laws that made it impossible to enforce slavery.  This was consistent with his idea of "popular sovereignty", but this "Freeport Doctrine" caused the South to turn against Douglas because it meant that slaves could be freed from slave owners if a majority voted that way.

Others resorted to violent means to end the disagreement over slavery.  In 1859, John Brown <ref>John Brown had previously killed 5 men in Kansas, as explained in our section on "Bleeding Kansas."</ref> led a raid on Harper's Ferry.  Brown hoped that his actions would spark a slave rebellion in Virginia.  But Brown was caught and tried and hanged.  At all times he remained defiant, refusing attempts to characterize him as insane.

Others resorted to violent means to end the disagreement over slavery.  In 1859, John Brown<ref>John Brown had previously killed 5 men in Kansas, as explained in our section on "Bleeding Kansas."</ref> led a raid on Harper's Ferry.  Brown hoped that his actions would spark a slave rebellion in Virginia.  But Brown was caught and tried and hanged.  At all times he remained defiant, refusing attempts to characterize him as insane.

'''Which brings us to the biggest debate question of the entire course:  Could the Civil War have been avoided?  Historians just took a poll on the biggest presidential blunders.  At the top of the list is the failure of President James Buchanan for keeping the Union together just prior to the Civil War.  What do you think?'''

'''Which brings us to the biggest debate question of the entire course:  Could the Civil War have been avoided?  Historians just took a poll on the biggest presidential blunders.  At the top of the list is the failure of President James Buchanan for keeping the Union together just prior to the Civil War.  What do you think?'''

The Panic of 1857 caused financial panic throughout the United States when the New York City branch of Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. failed. It caused a sudden recession in the economy, but recovery came quickly afterward.   

The Panic of 1857 caused financial panic throughout the United States when the New York City branch of Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. failed. It caused a sudden recession in the economy, but recovery came quickly afterward.   

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  "a house divided against itself cannot stand," quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.  Lincoln's words were prophetic.  But Douglas, perhaps an even smoother debater, elicited a chuckle from the crowd when he said he would speak without claiming to have special authority from God.

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  "a house divided against itself cannot stand," quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.  Lincoln's words were prophetic.  But Douglas, perhaps an even smoother debater, elicited a chuckle from another crowd when he said he would speak without claiming to have special authority from God.

Meanwhile, two new states were added to the Union while Buchanan served as president: Minnesota was admitted in 1858, and Oregon was admitted in 1859.

Meanwhile, two new states were added to the Union while Buchanan served as president: Minnesota was admitted in 1858, and Oregon was admitted in 1859.

In 1856, Lincoln had switched from Whig to Republican, and this may have helped him when he won the election of 1860.

In 1856, Lincoln had switched from Whig to Republican, and this may have helped him when he won the election of 1860.

Douglas lost the support of both the North and South due to his "Freeport Doctrine," which was described above.  After the Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that a slave is property who cannot be taken away from the slave owner, Lincoln asked Douglas, "Can the people of a United States Territory, in any lawful way, against the wish of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from its limits prior to the formation of a State Constitution?"  In his answer, Douglas adopted a position in the middle between Lincoln's view that slavery should not be allowed in territories and the Supreme Court's view that slavery must be protected everywhere as pure property.  Douglas said that the people in each territory can decide whether to allow slavery, and if they prohibited it then as a practical matter the slave owner could not keep a slave there.  This angered the South, which became afraid that a popular vote could deprive them of their slaves (each slave was worth $30,000 in today's money, and slaveowners often had many slaves).  Douglas's position also cost him votes in the North.  By trying to take a middle position, Douglas lost support on both sides and could win only one state, Missouri, in the presidential election of 1860.  Lincoln coasted to victory in the presidential election.

Douglas lost the support of both the North and South due to his "Freeport Doctrine," described above.  After the Supreme Court ruled in the ''Dred Scott'' decision that a slave is property who cannot be taken away from the slave owner, Lincoln asked Douglas, "Can the people of a United States Territory, in any lawful way, against the wish of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from its limits prior to the formation of a State Constitution?"  In his answer, Douglas adopted a position in the middle between Lincoln's view that slavery should not be allowed in territories and the Supreme Court's view that slavery must be protected everywhere as pure property.  Douglas said that the people in each territory can decide whether to allow slavery, and if they prohibited it then as a practical matter the slave owner could not keep a slave there.  This angered the South, which became afraid that a popular vote could deprive them of their slaves (each slave was worth $30,000 in today's money, and slave owners often had many slaves).  Douglas's position also cost him votes in the North.  By trying to take a middle position, Douglas lost support on both sides and could win only one state, Missouri, in the presidential election of 1860.  Lincoln coasted to victory in the presidential election.

'''Question:'''  Why did the South think it could win the Civil War?<ref>The South assumed that Britain would come to its aid because it was an important manufacturer of cotton.  But the South didn't take into account that Britain already got plenty of cotton from India, and thus could do without American cotton.</ref>

Within 5 years of the election of 1860, both Lincoln and Douglas had passed away.  The task of rebuilding the nation would fall on others.

==The North and South: Strengths and Weaknesses==

==The North and South: Strengths and Weaknesses==

The South had a feeling of invincibility from its tremendous economy, which was based on high prices for "King Cotton" and other crops, such as tobacco and sugar cane.  The South also felt that the North lacked a will to fight and, if it did, Britain and France would recognize and help the South due to their dependence on its exports like cotton, tobacco, rice and sugar cane.  The South also had strategic advantages:  it controlled the mouth of the Mississippi and needed only to defend rather than conquer.  The South considered its men, who spent more time outdoors, to be in much better condition to fight.  The South had better generals, and would have done far better had its generals like Stonewall Jackson not died in battle.

The South had a feeling of invincibility from its tremendous economy, which was based on high prices for "King Cotton" and other crops, such as tobacco and sugar cane.  The South also felt that the North lacked a will to fight and, if it did, Britain and France would recognize and help the South due to their dependence on its exports like cotton, tobacco, rice and sugar cane.  The South also had strategic advantages:  it controlled the mouth of the Mississippi and needed only to defend rather than conquer.  The South considered its men, who spent more time outdoors, to be in much better condition to fight.  The South had better generals, and would have done far better had its generals like Stonewall Jackson not died during the Civil War.

But the North benefited from the railroad system, heavy immigration and a much more balanced economy.  German and Irish immigrants came in large numbers before and during the 1850s, and in the 1850 census, 10% of the male population over 23 was foreign born, mostly from Germany and particularly Ireland.  The "Know-Nothing" or American Party arose as anti-immigration, anti-Catholic organization (most of the Irish were Catholics), given its name because its members would pretend not to "Know Nothing" when asked about their views.<ref>In 1855 the Know-Nothing Party successfully elected its candidate for mayor of Chicago, who then banned immigrants from city jobs.  The Know-Nothing Party was most successful statewide in Ohio, before disappearing everywhere before 1860.</ref>  But the greater numbers from immigration ended up helping the North in the war, as large numbers of immigrants fought for the North against the South.  Overall, the population of the North was 22 million compared with only 9 million in the South, 3.5 of whom were slaves whom the South were reluctant to arm.  Large populations have proportionately more people to use as soldiers and support the war in other ways.  The North also had control of the United States Navy, which proved to be useful in the war.   

But the North benefited from the railroad system, heavy immigration and a much more balanced economy.  German and Irish immigrants came in large numbers before and during the 1850s, and in the 1850 census, 10% of the male population over 23 was foreign born, mostly from Germany and particularly Ireland.  The "Know-Nothing" or American Party arose as anti-immigration, anti-Catholic organization (most of the Irish were Catholics), given its name because its members would pretend not to "Know Nothing" when asked about their views.<ref>In 1855 the Know-Nothing Party successfully elected its candidate for mayor of Chicago, who then banned immigrants from city jobs.  The Know-Nothing Party was most successful statewide in Ohio, before disappearing everywhere before 1860.</ref>  The greater numbers from immigration ended up helping the North in the war, as large numbers of immigrants fought for the North against the South.  Overall, the population of the North was 22 million compared with only 9 million in the South, 3.5 million of whom were slaves whom the South were reluctant to arm.  The North also had control of the United States Navy, which proved to be useful in the war.   

Finally, the North was successful in keeping border slave states -- Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and the to-be-formed West Virginia -- from joining the Confederacy and fighting against the North.  Abraham Lincoln said about Kentucky, "Kentucky gone, we can not hold Missouri, nor as I think, Maryland. These all against us, and the job on our hands is too large for us. We would as well consent to separation at once, including the surrender of this capitol."<ref>http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=31&subjectID=3</ref>  Had those border states sided with the South, as it expected, the outcome may have been different.

Finally, the North was successful in keeping border slave states -- Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and the to-be-formed West Virginia -- from joining the Confederacy to fight against the North.  Abraham Lincoln said about Kentucky, "Kentucky gone, we can not hold Missouri, nor as I think, Maryland. These all against us, and the job on our hands is too large for us. We would as well consent to separation at once, including the surrender of this capitol."<ref>http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=31&subjectID=3</ref>  Had those border states sided with the South, as it expected, the outcome may have been different.

'''Debate: Do you think the South could have won the Civil War, or at least fought off the North enough to secede?'''

'''Debate: Do you think the South could have won the Civil War, or at least fought off the North enough to secede?'''