Causes of The Civil war

Sectionalism Rivalry based on the special interests of different areas Agriculture South (Slavery) Industrial North (Free Labor)

Cotton Gin A machine that cleans seeds from cotton invented by Eli Whitney. Slavery expanded in the South.

Fugitive Slave Act Mandated harsh penalties for those who assisted runaway slaves. Escaped slaves captured in Free States

Slave Codes Laws that denied enslaved Africans most of their rights

Nat Turner I was a popular religious leader among my fellow slaves. On August 21, 1831, I, along with my followers, killed my master and his family. We murdered family after family until about 60 whites were dead.

William Lloyd Garrison I was an abolitionist who became unpopular in the North and South. My fiery declarations against slavery raised tensions between Northerners and Southerners. I founded the Liberator.

Underground Railroad Series of houses where “conductors” hid runaway slaves

Harriet Tubman I worked very hard to help slaves reach freedom. I guided slaves all the way to Canada. I was also one of the best known conductors of the Underground Railroad.

Senator John Calhoun I was a South Carolina Senator. I called a caucus of the Southern members of Congress. In addition, I warned that the South would secede if Northern-sponsored measures continued.

Frederick Douglas I was born into slavery before escaping in 1838. I spoke at meeting and church services. I published an anti-slavery newspaper called the North Star.

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin Bestselling novel that humanized slaves and caused many northerners to hate slavery.

The Dred Scott Case In the 1830s an army doctor bought me in Missouri. The doctor moved with his household to Illinois, a free state. Later the family returned to Missouri where he passed away. I sued for my freedom.

Kansas-Nebraska Act In 1854, this repealed the ban on slavery north of the Missouri Compromise line. Soon after proslavery and freesoil militias battled in “Bleeding Kansas”.

John Brown I was a fanatical abolitionist from the Northeast. I went to Kansas with my 5 sons to join antislavery forces. We murdered 5 proslavery settlers. Years later, along with 18 followers, we invaded Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

Mural at the Kansas State Capital

Election of 1860 Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln, who promised no new slavery in the territories, won in a 4 way race. South Carolina succeeded from the union before he took office.