Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Outgoing President James Buchanan wraps up his term by creating the Dakota and Nevada territories, and approving increased import taxes. Buchanan then reflects upon his handling of the secession crisis.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln finalizes his cabinet choices and prepares for his inauguration. Meanwhile, Winfield Scott offers four options on how to deal with the southern secession amid concerns about possible violence in Washington.
The Senate takes up last-minute measures in hopes of finally reconciling North and South and restoring the Union.
Major Robert Anderson’s Federal garrison at Fort Sumter faces isolation while South Carolina officials seek its surrender. But the South Carolinians will need the new Confederate government to back them up.
Efforts in the U.S. Congress to adopt the Crittenden compromise failed. Constitutional amendments are introduced meant to define Federal involvement with slavery, but by the end of February, nobody feels confident that these measures would preserve the Union.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln engages in various meetings in Washington, visits the U.S. Capitol to hold discussions with key politicians, and finalizes his inaugural address. Lincoln also faces pressure to compromise on slavery, but he hold firm against allowing slavery to spread.