Causes of the Civil War

People who wanted to end slavery were called abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison Frederick Douglass Sojourner Truth

In 1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin In 1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Her novel told the story of slaves who were badly treated by a cruel owner. The book became a best-seller and made millions of people aware of the evils of slavery.

In 1859, a white abolitionist, John Brown lead a raid on a government storehouse in Harper’s Ferry, what is now West Virginia. The plan was to give guns from the storehouse to slaves so they could fight for their freedom. He was caught, tried, and hanged.

How do you think white Southerners felt about Stowe’s book and the raid on Harper’s Ferry?

Many Southerners believed in states’ rights, or the idea that the states have final authority over the national government.

Northerners preferred a strong federal government.

Congress passed high tariffs, or taxes on European factory goods, and this helped Northern factory owners. It hurt Southerners by making European goods cost more

The North had a lot of factories where steel, cloth, and other goods were made.

The South had a lot of plantations were cotton, rice, and tobacco were grown.

The South used slaves to work in the fields.

In our democracy, why would Southerners be worried about the future of their society?

The WAR

Inauguration In November 1860, Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United States. He is a member of the Republican party, which is in favor of outlawing slavery.

Lincoln’s first inauguration 1861

In December 1860, South Carolina secedes, or withdraws from the United States. Soon after other Southern states join South Carolina and form the Confederate States of America, or Confederacy. They elect Jefferson Davis as president

In April 1861, Confederates open fire on fort Sumter in Charleston, SC and the start the Civil War.

General Robert E. Lee leads the Confederate troops throughout the Civil War.

Another important Confederate general was “Stonewall” Jackson Another important Confederate general was “Stonewall” Jackson. He lead the Confederacy to many victories and was accidentally killed by his own troops.

Lincoln chooses General Ulysses S. Grant to lead the Union troops.

The Battle of Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania is a huge victory for the Union and a crushing defeat for the confederacy. It is the turning point of the war.

Photo taken after the battle

Photo taken after the battle

In 1864 the union general, William T In 1864 the union general, William T. Sherman lead his army into Georgia. He pushed to Atlanta, the railroad center for the South. Much of Atlanta was burned to the ground.

Union lines around the Oakhurst neighborhood of Atlanta

Atlanta after Sherman’s capture

Civil War era Atlanta

Before and after

From Atlanta he headed toward Savannah, GA From Atlanta he headed toward Savannah, GA. This march became known as the March to the Sea. The goal of this march was to destroy everything that could be used to help the South win the war.

Sherman’s army destroyed the railroad tracks and burned houses and towns on its way to Savannah.

Refugees from Sherman’s march

The chimneys left standing were called “Sherman Sentinels.” Railroad ties were heated and wrapped around tree trunks and called “Sherman Bowties.”

In April 1865, Lee’s army was starving and their clothes were in rags In April 1865, Lee’s army was starving and their clothes were in rags. His army became trapped in Virginia. General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia and the war ended.

Mansions on New York City’s 5th Ave, where America’s wealthiest people lived after the Civil War. The war caused the Northern economy to grow, and the idea of a strong federal government won out over states’ rights.

Charleston, SC 1865 The Southern slaves were freed, and the Southern economy is ruined by the war.