Major Events/Causes Leading to The Civil War

 New additions to America (1820-1850): As new states are added to the Union (Louisiana Purchase territory slowly becoming individual states), congress had to decide if each state would be a free or slave state.

Each new addition threatened the delicate balance of free and slave states, infuriated one side or the other, and led to heated debate. For a good example, let’s

take a look at The Missouri Compromise 1820 and the Compromise of 1850:

In spiral #1 NOTES:The decision as to whether a state The decision as to whether a state should be free or slave becomes an should be free or slave becomes an issue of state (popular sovereignty) issue of state (popular sovereignty) vs. federal power (Congress).vs. federal power (Congress).

It did accomplish the following:It did accomplish the following:•Added Missouri as a slave state.Added Missouri as a slave state.•Added Maine as a free state.Added Maine as a free state.

•This made the balance of power in theThis made the balance of power in theSenate at 12 states each.Senate at 12 states each.

•A line across the Louisiana Territory at 36°30’A line across the Louisiana Territory at 36°30’North of this line, slavery was to be forever North of this line, slavery was to be forever banned (except in Missouri).banned (except in Missouri).South of this line, slaveholding was permitted.South of this line, slaveholding was permitted.

The decision as to whether a state should be free or The decision as to whether a state should be free or slave becomes an issue of state vs. federal power. slave becomes an issue of state vs. federal power. How to keep representation in Congress balancedHow to keep representation in Congress balanced

#2 Notes:#2 Notes:Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty: The idea that : The idea that political authority belongs to the political authority belongs to the people; principle that would allow people; principle that would allow

voters in a territory to decide voters in a territory to decide whether to ban or permit slavery.whether to ban or permit slavery.

It did accomplish the following:It did accomplish the following:

•California is admitted as a free state.California is admitted as a free state.North is happy.North is happy.

•New Mexico & Utah would be organized into territory open to New Mexico & Utah would be organized into territory open to slavery.slavery.

South is happy.South is happy.

•Slave trade (not slavery) would be abolished in Washington, D.C.Slave trade (not slavery) would be abolished in Washington, D.C.Both happy.Both happy.

Although slave trade continued illegally.Although slave trade continued illegally.•A strong fugitive slave law was created.A strong fugitive slave law was created.

South is happy.South is happy.

#3 Notes The Compromise of 1850#3 Notes The Compromise of 1850

#4 NOTES Fugitive Slave Law (1850): Law

stating that all citizens had to help catch runaway slaves or face a

$1000 fine or 6mos in jail.

Northerners resented being forced to help capture runaway slaves, and Southerners were elated to get slaves back but angry at lack of Northern support. (Judges who

sent slaves back to the South were awarded with $10 for their work; but only

$5 if person in question was freed!!)

#5  NOTESUncle Tom’s Cabin (1852): Outraged by the Fugitive Slave Law, Harriet Beecher Stowe addressed the cruelty of slavery in the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. It sold over 300,000 copies in its first year. This book created more abolitionists. 

““Bleeding Kansas”Bleeding Kansas”What do you see?What do you see?

 Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): The remainder of the

Louisiana Purchase was divided into two separate territories, Kansas and Nebraska. Several other proposed causes:

• In each territory, popular sovereignty (voters) would decide the question of slavery.

• This act repealed the earlier Missouri Compromise where slavery was banned North of Missouri.

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act led to violence between proslavery and anti-slavery groups who each rushed to the new territory to support their cause. Over 200 people died in pro-slavery vs. anti-slavery skirmishes-- some call the Kansas-Nebraska Act the official start of the Civil War.

• Federal Government continued to recognize the proslavery legislature as government of Kansas.

#6 Bleeding Kansas NOTES:EFFECT:

a. The Kansas-Nebraska Act led to violence between proslavery and anti-slavery groups who each rushed to the new territory to support their cause. b. Over 200 people died in pro-slavery vs. anti-slavery skirmishes.c. Kansas adopts a free state Constitution and applies to become a state.

•Got rid of the Missouri Got rid of the Missouri Compromise by making both Compromise by making both Kansas Kansas and and Nebraska Nebraska open to open to slaveryslavery..•Northerners had nightmares of Northerners had nightmares of slavery spreading.slavery spreading.•In May of 1856, an army of In May of 1856, an army of 800 800 pro-slaverypro-slavery settlers invades settlers invades Lawrence.Lawrence.

•John BrownJohn Brown gets revenge, gets revenge, hacking 5 pro-slavery men to hacking 5 pro-slavery men to death with their death with their saberssabers..

•Senator Senator BrooksBrooks attacked attacked Senator Senator SumnerSumner with his with his canecane on on the floor of the floor of CongressCongress!!

•Southerners sent Southerners sent BrooksBrooks replacement replacement canescanes as gifts. as gifts.•Northerners viewed this as Northerners viewed this as yet another example of yet another example of Southern Southern brutalitybrutality..

FalloutFallout

 

TheDred Scott Decision (1857): A slave named Dred Scott sued for his freedom after his owner died. He claimed that because his owner had once taken him to free states, he was entitled to his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and therefore could not sue. The court also ruled that the restriction of slavery is unconstitutional because the 5th amendment states that no one may be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” Because slaves were property this meant that Congress had no power to ban slavery anywhere. This reversed earlier decisions and was an enormous step back for abolitionists (state legislatures could still ban but anything Congress had decided was null and void.)

 

#7 NOTES

#8 NOTESa. Harper’s Ferry, VA (1859): John Brown, abolitionist, attempted to start a slave revolt with 22 others at Harper’s Ferry, VA by raiding a federal arsenal and taking hostages.

b. The plan failed and Brown was hanged, but Southerners began to fear abolitionists and slave rebellions.

 

 Lincoln was elected President in 1860 with just 40% of the vote (all from the Northern states.The Southern states felt they had lost their voice in government and no longer wanted to be a part of the U.S.A. Our UNION of states will be broken apart!!! 

#9 NOTES:#9 NOTES:The election of The election of

LincolnLincoln

The Confederate States of America (CSA) formed in 1861-- even before Lincoln’s

inauguration, seven states seceded from the Union. Secession means

The act of formally withdrawing from the Union.a.   South Carolina (1st one to seceed)b.  Mississippic.   Floridad.  Alabamae.  Georgiaf.   Louisianag.  Texas 

#10 NOTES:#10 NOTES:SecessionSecession

1858 Lincoln responded by 1858 Lincoln responded by saying…saying…“A house divided against itself can not stand.I believe this government cannot endure,Permanently half slave and half free.”

#10 NOTES CONT.There will be a total of 11 states leaving the

Union.

The CSA chose Jefferson Davis as their President, wrote their own Constitution which guaranteed

citizens could hold slaves, printed their own money…..

This Means WAR!!Civil War on our own turf!

Ways secession benefit the SouthThink $$$$ economy, free labor,

unrestricted trade with Europe, revive African slave-trade, necessity would compel South to manufacture/develop,

and keep the southern way of life!

BORDER STATES• Border States were on the Border of the USA and CSA.

• Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland, and W.Virginia

• The border states did have slavery but chose not to secede because they couldn’t agree on which side to fight.

• Virginia ended up splitting into two because Lincoln sent troops into Western VA due to their Union Loyalty and they set up their new gov’t and joined the Union as W. VA (1863). So now there are two states, VA and West VA.

EXTRA INFO…• MO and KY controlled key stretches of the Ohio and Mississippi

rivers.

• Washington DC was bordered on three sides by MD. DC is the capital for the Union, yet it’s surrounded by a lot of people that are pro-South.

• DEL- slave holders supported secession but they were outnumbered.

• KY, MO, MD people were deeply divided on the issue of secession and some fought for Union and Some Confederate.

• Important to note that slavery WAS NOT the only issue states were

fighting about. #11 NOTES:

• States Rights was the main issue. Voting by the people/representatives in Congress for or against slavery.

COLOR MAPASSIGNMENT

Start of War