Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
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.
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.