Causes of the Civil War A Discussion

Prior to 1845, what were some main causes of tension between North and South?

The Mexican War How did the Mexican War bring the slavery debate to national attention? How did congressmen David Wilmot propose that the question be decided? How did advocates of popular sovereignty propose that the question be decided?

California creates a problem

Compromise of 1850 What were the major components of the Compromise of 1850?

TERMS OF THE COMPROMISE OF 1850 Admitted California to the Union as a free state. Organized the New Mexico & Utah territories with slavery to be decided by its residents. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850—Strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 by imposing heavy penalties on persons who aided runaway slaves or who blocked or refused to help in their capture. Outlawed the buying and selling of slaves, but not slavery itself, in the nation’s capital.

Conflict continues What were the primary objections of Northerners to the Compromise of 1850? What were the primary objections of Southerners?

The Demise of the Whigs How did slavery contribute to the destruction of the Whig party? How did the downfall of the Whigs make civil war more likely?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin What was the novel about? How did it affect public opinion in the North? How did it anger the South?

Kansas-Nebraska Act Who sponsored the Kansas-Nebraska Act? What were his motives? What were the terms of the Kansas- Nebraska Act?

Kansas-Nebraska Act It created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening up new lands for settlement. Settlers could decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. It repealed the Missouri Compromise (1820)

A Betrayal? How did Northerners feel betrayed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act? Who did they direct their anger at?

Bleeding Kansas How did popular sovereignty fail in Kansas? What does the term “bleeding Kansas” refer to? Examples…

Bleeding Kansas Timeline 1854—Kansas-Nebraska Act Passes 1854—New England Emigrant Aid Society to promote the settlement of anti-slavery groups in Kansas is founded —Pro slavery forces take control of Kansas politics. Pro-slavery Missourians flooded the state to vote, where armed pro-slavery advocates intimidated voters and stuffed ballot boxes.

Bleeding Kansas Timeline 1855—In retaliation of election fraud, the abolitionists set up a rival government at Topeka. 1856—A group of more than 500 armed proslavery enthusiasts raided Lawrence, the stronghold of the free-soil movement. They destroyed property, smashed the presses of two Lawrence newspapers, and killed one man. 1856—In retaliation for the Lawrence raid, a band led by the abolitionist crusader John Brown murdered five innocent pro-slavery men in the Pottawatomie massacre.

Bleeding Kansas Timeline 1857—Men in favor of slavery meet in Lecompton to hammer out a pro-slavery constitution. They then sought statehood. 1858—Despite the dubious validity of the Lecompton constitution, President James Buchanan recommended that Congress accept it and approve statehood for the territory. Instead, Congress returned it for another territorial vote. 1859—The fourth and last constitutional convention was assembled. This time free state advocates were solidly in control, and the document they drafted barred slavery. 1861—On January 29, Kansas becomes the 34th state after 3 unsuccessful constitutional conventions. Topeka is chosen as the state capital. Slavery is prohibited.

Results of Bleeding Kansas How did the violence in Kansas make a national civil war more likely? What was the political effect of the violence? How did Buchanan’s decision to endorse the Lecompton constitution help the Republicans?

Creation on the Republican Party 1854 the Republican Party was founded. The party opposed what it called the “Slave Power”, that is the political control over the national government exerted by southern slave owners. Besides opposition to slavery, the new party put forward a vision of modernization-- emphasizing higher education, banking, railroads, industry and cities, while promising free homesteads to farmers. They vigorously argued that free labor was superior to slavery.

Who is is being attacked?

Bleeding Sumner In 1856, during the Bloody Kansas crisis Senator Charles Sumner denounced the Kansas-Nebraska Act in the "Crime against Kansas" speech on May 19 and May 20, two days before the sack of Lawrence (May 21). Sumner attacked and insulted the authors of the act, Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois and Andrew Butler of South Carolina. Two days later, on the afternoon of May 22, Preston Brooks, a congressman from South Carolina and Butler's nephew, confronted Sumner as he sat writing at his desk in the almost empty Senate chamber. Preston said "Mr. Sumner, I have read your speech twice over carefully. It is a libel on South Carolina, and Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine—" As Sumner began to stand up, Brooks began beating Sumner on the head with a thick cane with a gold head. Sumner was trapped under the heavy desk but Brooks continued to bash Sumner. Brooks continued to beat Sumner until he broke his cane, then quietly left the chamber. It took three years before Sumner could return to the Senate.

Dred Scott Decision Why did Dred Scott sue for freedom? What did the Supreme Court rule? How did this embolden the South and enrage the North?

John Brown’s Raid What did John Brown try to do? How did Northerners and Southerners react to his actions? Why did his raid make the civil war more likely?

This is a painting of…

Election of 1860 Who were the candidates in the election of 1860? Who won? Why is this probably the most important lection in US history?

Secession

Lincoln’s Response Why did Lincoln refuse to allow secession?