Lincoln spoke for three hours about "whether a Negro is not or is a man". Lincoln said, "If African American are men then the words of the declaration of independence apply to them, they are created equal and have right to life, liberty. And the pursuit of happiness.".
After many political battles Abraham Lincoln was elected for president in November 1860 and took office in March 4, 1861.political leaders in the south feared that Lincoln and his republican part would end slavery. The political leaders urged their states to secede from the union. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana declared their independence and formed the Confederate States of America. The confederate states became to take over federal arsenals and military bases in their territory. Fort Sumter, in South Carolina was still being occupied by union troops. Major Anderson was running out of food in Fort Summers and requested for more supplies. President Lincoln agreed to send more supplies. The confederates were not pleased and demanded major Anderson to surrender. Major Anderson refused and the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter, which lead the beginning of the civil war.
The begging of the war cause Texas, Arkansas, Virginia, north Carolina and Tennessee to secede from the union as well. The union forced attacked the confederate army near Manassas, Virginia on July 1861. The plan was to drive the Confederate army southward towards Richmond, but the union failed. On February 6, General Grant attacked Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River and on February 16, the fort surrendered and General Grant took in prisoners. This battle was one of the first important union victories. Lincoln spent every moment working. He spent hours each day meeting with any citizen lined up at the white house. He also met with military advisers. His cabinet and wrote all his speeches. Lincoln's eleven-year-old son, William died in 1862.
