Causes of the Civil War part 2

The Republican Party Forms Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 split the Whig party Northern Whigs formed the Republican party “Bleeding Kansas” key to Republican rise Many people blamed Democrats for violence Nominated John C. Fremont for President in 1856 Republican position on slavery so unpopular in South that his name didn’t appear on the ballot

The Election of 1856 Democrats nominated James Buchanan Had been out of the country since 1853 His goal was to maintain the Union Didn’t speak out against or for slavery Know-Nothing Party nominated Millard Fillmore Party split over slavery North: Buchanan vs. Fremont South: Buchanan vs. Fillmore Buchanan won but Fremont won 11 Northern states

The Case of Dred Scott Owner had taken him into territories where slavery was illegal After owner’s death he sued for his Freedom Case reached the Supreme Court in 1856 Ruled against him since he was not a U.S. citizen and was considered property by the 5 th Amendment Ruled that ALL African Americans, slave or free, were not citizens. Northerners outraged and turned to the Republican party to halt power of Southern slaveholders

How did it Contribute to the Cause of the Civil War? Said African American’s were not citizens Angered the North Showed what South could do about slavery if they got held of the government

Lincoln and Douglas Debate 1858 Republicans nominated Lincoln to run against Democrat Douglass for IL seat in Senate Lincoln stood against expansion of slavery, “a moral, a social and a political wrong” but didn’t suggest abolishing it. Douglas argued that popular sovereignty was the best way to address it, most democratic way Lincoln lost but became popular and strengthened the Republican party

John Brown Attacks Harpers Ferry Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom Wanted to capture weapons at the U.S. arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA October 18, 1859, 13 whites and 5 blacks killed 4 people in the raid Sent out the word for slaves to join them but none came U.S. Marines attacked and Brown and 6 others were captured

Reaction to Harper’s Ferry John Brown was tried and hanged Abolitionists tolled bells and fired guns in salute. Southerners were enraged by Brown’s actions and horrified by Northern reactions

How did it Contribute to the Cause of the Civil War? South was furious that someone was trying to rally the slaves North was happy that Brown tried to do something about slavery.

Political Parties Splinter Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for election of 1860 Democratic party split on slavery and popular sovereignty Northern Democrats nominate Stephen A. Douglass Southern Democrats nominate John Breckinridge Constitutional Union Party nominates John Bell

The Election of 1860 North race and South race Lincoln won North Wanted to stop expansion of slavery, not outlaw it. Breckinridge carried most of South North had more people so Lincoln won Presidency South felt Republicans wanted to ban slavery so saw the victory as a threat to the Southern way of life

Southern States Secede Southerners had threatened to secede if Lincoln won. Felt they voluntarily joined the Union so they had right to leave December 20, 1860 South Carolina seceded from the Union Within 6 weeks: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas

How did it Contribute to the Cause of the Civil War? Lincoln not voted in by the South (not allowed on Ballot) Showed what North would do if they held power (vote in a anti slave president) South secedes

Confederate States of America February 1861 became the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis elected President Drafted a Constitution modeled after the Union one Supported state’s rights

The Union Responds to Secession Secession raised issue of majority rule Southerners were afraid Northerners would use majority rule to abolish slavery Northerners felt Southerners did not want to live by rules of democracy.