Reasons that Led to the American Civil War

What is Sectionalism? loyalty to the interest of your own region or section of the country, rather than to the nation as a whole.

Differences Were Looming By the late 1820’s, different life styles in the sections of the US became more pronounced. Regional differences of opinion emerged, and the nation debated over the issues of: Slavery Tariffs (taxes) States’ Rights

Slavery The North In the 1840’s and 1850’s they began to oppose slavery. Abolitionists believed that slavery was morally wrong and wanted to abolish (end) slavery.

Slavery The South Slavery was an important part of the Southern economy. Southerners wanted to protect slavery in the South and felt that slavery must follow westward expansion.

Lower Class – Had No Slaves Slavery Middle class farmers and lower class farmers supported slavery even though few had more than twenty slaves. They hoped to have slaves themselves. They were afraid of slave rebellion and competition from free blacks. Upper Class Many slaves Middle Class Had Few Slaves Lower Middle Class Had 1 or 2 Slaves Lower Class – Had No Slaves Slaves

Protective Tariffs The North Manufacturing was a growing industry in the North In 1828, Congress passed a very high protective tariff to protect Northern industries from European competition.

Protective Tariffs The South Southerners hated the tariff, calling it the “Tariff of Abominations” High rates increased the cost of foreign manufactured goods in the South

States’ Rights: the belief that the Federal government should not interfere with the states’ exercise of their constitutional powers

State’s Rights The North The South Northerners believed that supreme power rested in federal government. They believed the Union was unbreakable. Southerners argued that this allowed them to ignore laws on slavery and tariffs if it conflicted with their beliefs. They thought this also granted the right to secede from the Union.

War Begins! The Civil War begins at April 12, 1861, at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina Confederate forces fire on a Union fort in the harbor and war begins.