1. Causes of the American Civil War 1850-1861

2. Economic Differences of the North and South Northern Economy – In the 1800’s the U.S. started to industrialize. Most factories were built in the Northern states. Many Northern cities started to build infrastructure to support the factories. Infrastructure – buildings, roads, bridges, train tracks, telegraph lines, ect.

3. Economic Differences of the North and South Southern Economy – Relied on agriculture and large plantations that produced cash crops. Example = cotton, tobacco, indigo Cotton plantations grow rapidly in the south due to the invention of the cotton gin in the early 1800’s Increase in cotton led to an increase in slavery in the U.S.

4. The Debate over Free and Slave States Sectionalism – loyalty to the interests of your own region or section of the country, rather than the nation as a whole. Missouri Compromise – Maine would be admitted to the U.S. as a free state while Missouri would be a slave state. Banned slavery north of 36 degrees 30’.

5. The Debate over Free and Slave States Wilmot Proviso – outlawed slavery in any territory the U.S. might acquire from the war with Mexico. Does not pass. - fuels debate for free vs. slave states. Creation of Free-Soil Party – political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery. - Made the issue of slavery a key political issue.

6. The Debate over Free and Slave States The U.S. had a balance between slave an free states. As new states attempted to join the Union there was a debate on whether that state would be a free state or slave state. Compromise of 1850 – (Proposed by Henry Clay) - California would be admitted as a free state and the slave trade would be abolished in Washington D.C. - Congress would not pass laws regarding slavery for the rest of the territories won from Mexico. Congress would pass a stronger law to help slaveholders recapture runaway slaves.

7. The Debate over Free and Slave States