The Civil War Chapter 16 Part 1

Causes of the Civil War T--Tariffs I--Industry S--States’ Rights S--Slavery U--Uncle Tom’s Cabin/Abolitionist movement E--Election of 1860

Causes of the Civil War Between 1850-1860, slavery and economics divide the nation. The North’s desire for tariffs on imported goods to protect its industry economy clashed with the South’s agricultural economy since the South imported much of their goods. Southerners advocate for states’ rights over federal law and ignore the tariffs.

Causes of the Civil War The concept of new states determining their slave status via popular sovereignty through the Compromise of 1850 temporarily eases tensions. The Fugitive Slave Act (1850)—forcibly compelled citizens to assist in capturing runaway slaves Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)—allowed the Kansas and Nebraska Territories to decide whether to be free or slave states. This violated the Missouri Compromise (no slavery above the 36’30” parallel) causing the Whig Party to break apart and create the Republican Party that opposed slavery

Causes of the Civil War Dred Scott Decision (1857)—Supreme Court states African Americans aren’t citizens and can’t sue. The decision also rules that Congress can’t ban slavery in any federal territory. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, an anti-slavery novel, fired up the abolitionist movement (movement to end slavery). Abolitionist John Brown intensifies things with a revolt at Harper’s Ferry, VA. He’s captured and hung for treason

Causes of the Civil War Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, is elected in 1860, upsetting Southerners who fear Lincoln would support the abolishment of slavery.

Secession Secede—to formally withdraw December 20, 1860—South Carolina decides to secede from the Union. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana also secede Texas leaders call fro a special meeting to consider secession

Secession Governor Sam Houston and many other Texans want to stay in the Union—called Unionists Gov. Houston tries to delay the meeting, but on January 28, 1861, Texans favoring secession meet in Austin. Delegates approve secession with the Ordinance of Secession February 23, 1861—Texans overwhelmingly approve secession (45,153 for/12,747 against)

Texas Joins the Confederacy March 2, 1861—Texas becomes the 7th state to secede, followed by Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina Texas sends 7 delegates to Montgomery, AL to create a new nation, the Confederate States of America (Confederacy). The Confederacy gave states more power, federal govt. less, and Constitution protected slavery. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi elected president.

Texas Joins the Confederacy March 5, 1861—The Texas Session Convention reconvenes to write a new constitution Basically the same as the 1845 (state) constitution except all references to the United States are replaced with Confederate States of America Texan leaders are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy with Gov. Houston refuses to do. He is removed from office. Lt. Governor Edward Clark assumed Houston’s position. Houston retires to Huntsville where he remains until his death in 1863.