Increasing confrontation within and between the North and the South

Significance of States’ Rights

Growing strength of abolitionism (e.g., John Brown)

The Lincoln—Douglas Debates (1858)

Emerging notion of ‘slave power’ (e.g., Dred Scott)

Reactions to the 1860 presidential election results

Secession of the seven Deep South States

The aims of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis

The election campaign of 1860 and the divisions of the Democratic Party

The Battle of Fort Sumter and its impacts

Changing approaches of political and military leadership

Changing military strategies