Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
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.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln reaches the capital after traveling through Baltimore in the middle of the night to avoid a possible assassination attempt. The move sparks laughter from his opponents and embarrassment from his supporters.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln is presented evidence of a potential assassination plot against him, and he makes a fateful decision regarding the rest of his trip to Washington.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln travels to New York City, where he receives a lukewarm reception amid rising tensions over secession. Lincoln then continues on to New Jersey and Philadelphia.