Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The 37th Congress of the United States assembles at President Abraham Lincoln’s request. The Republicans hold a strong majority, but they are split between conservatives wanting to wage war only to reunite the Union and radicals seeking to wage war to end slavery.
By the end of 1860, several proposals to keep the Union intact have been proposed, including the complex compromise plan from Senator John J. Crittenden. But none of these proposals seem to be popular enough for both North and South to support.
Senator John J. Crittenden introduces a complex program designed to end the sectional crisis and preserve the Union. This plan is opposed by President-elect Abraham Lincoln, who refuses any compromise that might allow slavery to expand into the new territories.
The last annual message of James Buchanan’s presidency acknowledges that North and South are “now arrayed against each other.” He offers suggestions on how to resolve the crisis, but he leaves both sections dissatisfied.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes a constitutional amendment permanently abolishing slavery in America. This significant legislation marked the first constitutional restriction on individual rights, solidifying emancipation.
The U.S. House of Representatives opens debate on a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery that had been defeated last year. Supporters highlight moral imperatives, while opponents raise concerns about implications for states’ rights.