Alexander Stephens, the Georgia Platform, and Secession
In the 1840s, the two major political parties in Georgia were the Democrats and the Whigs. Robert Toombs and Alexander H. Stephensled the Whigs. Although there was little real difference in what the two parties believed, each wanted to govern the state. During the 1840s, most governors were Democrats. Most members of the legislature were Whigs. In larger Georgia towns, there were two newspapers: one for Democrats and one for Whigs.
Most Georgians did not like the Compromise of 1850. However, Democrat Cobb and Whig Alexander Stephens asked the citizens of Georgia to accept it. The Georgia Platform supported the Compromise of 1850. The platform stated that the compromise was necessary if Georgia was to stay in the United States. The Georgia Platform gave support to the compromise to keep the United States together. Not long after the platform was adopted, some Georgians formed the Constitutional Union party. Howell Cobb, an Athens lawyer who had been a Democrat, joined the Constitutional Union party along with Alexander Stephens and Toombs.
Joseph E. Brown, Herschel V. Johnson, and C. B. Strong did not agree with the Compromise of 1850. They formed the States’ Rights Party. The party did not want to leave the Union, but its members thought southern states should not accept the Compromise of 1850. They wanted Congress to protect slavery and states’ rights. Immediately after Lincoln’s election in 1860, Georgia’s Democratic governor, Joseph E. Brown, called a legislative session to determine the question of secession, leaving the United States. The legislature chamber was buzzing with arguments and memos. Notes were passed back and fortharguing about whether Georgia should stay or leave the United States.Speakers rose quickly to argue their views. Alexander Stephens was convincing with his arguments against leaving the United States. Stephens’s speech was interrupted many times by people who strongly supported secession. Many conservative legislators loudly clapped for Stephens. But his speech was no match for the leadership of Toombs, Cobb, and Governor Brown. On November 21, 1860, Governor Brown called for a secession convention.
1.What were the two major political parties in Georgia in the 1840’s?
2.Who led the Whig party?
3. What were three events in Alexander Stephens’ life? Put them in the correct order.
A.
B.
C.
4.What was the Georgia Platform?
5. Why did the Georgia Platform say that the Compromise of 1850 was important?
6.Why were some Georgians against the Georgia Platform?
7.What is the definition of secession?
8.What Georgian was against secession?
9.What did he do to fight against secession?