Background to the Conflict Pre-Civil War Days

The Slave Economy & King Cotton Many people began to turn against slaveryMany people began to turn against slavery Cost of owning slaves was too high for mostCost of owning slaves was too high for most Most slaves worked on large plantations.Most slaves worked on large plantations. Very few white Southerners could afford to own slaves.Very few white Southerners could afford to own slaves. Cotton was hard to prepare for marketCotton was hard to prepare for market –The little seeds had to be separated from the cotton. –This was very hard to do and took a LOT of TIME –Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin Made cleaning cotton easierMade cleaning cotton easier Farmers grew more cotton and made more moneyFarmers grew more cotton and made more money Needed more slaves to work the cottonNeeded more slaves to work the cotton

North and South Disagree States’ RightsStates’ Rights –South didn’t like depending on the North’s manufactured goods –Thought the North was getting RICH off of them –Settlers from the South who moved west took their slaves –Settlers from the North didn’t own slaves and thought slavery was wrong. –WHO would WIN??? –Would there be slavery in the new territories or NOT???

The Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to free states in the US and to Canada with the aid of abolitionistsThe Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to free states in the US and to Canada with the aid of abolitionists Harriet Tubman is the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad.Harriet Tubman is the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad.

Fugitive Slave Laws Fugitive Slave Laws make escaping even harder. A new law that said: –A–A–A–Anyone caught helping slaves escape would be punished. –I–I–I–If you found a runaway slave, you had to return them to their owner.

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 – 1896) So this is the lady who started the Civil War. -- Abraham Lincoln So this is the lady who started the Civil War. -- Abraham Lincoln Sold 300,000 copies in the first year. 2 million in a decade! Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852

John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry, 1859 John Brown’s rebellion at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia *A white abolitionist *Stole guns from Harper’s Ferry warehouse to give to slaves *Caught by Robert E. Lee, tried, warehouse to give to slaves *Caught by Robert E. Lee, tried, and hanged and hanged

Presidential Election of 1860

Worried White Southerners Many in the South were afraid if Lincoln were elected, slavery would be outlawed. Some even said they would LEAVE the Union if Lincoln was elected.

Election Results: Lincoln WINS November 6, 1860 December 20, 1860 South Carolina’s leaders seceded from the Union. Later SIX other southern states secede and form the Confederate States of America.

The Confederate States of America South Carolina Mississippi Florida Louisiana Alabama Georgia Texas

What to Do about the CSA? Some advised Lincoln to “Let the states go” Others said, “Give in on the slavery question.” Still others said, “Use the ARMY to end their revolt!” He wanted to prevent war. He wanted to prevent war. “We are not enemies, but friends.” “We are not enemies, but friends.” THE VERY NEXT DAY an important message came THE VERY NEXT DAY an important message came from Major Robert Anderson commander at Fort from Major Robert Anderson commander at Fort Sumter. Sumter.

Urgent! The message from Commander Anderson to President Lincoln was:The message from Commander Anderson to President Lincoln was: Supplies at the Fort are almost gone. If new supplies are not sent soon, we will be forced to surrender the fort to the Confederacy. If I send supplies…Southerners might attack. If I send troops….Southerners WILL attack. If I do nothing…the commander will have to surrender. What should Lincoln do??? Lincoln’s Decision Lincoln decided to send supply ships and see what the Southerners would do.

Confederate President Davis Davis decided to take over the fort BEFORE the supply ships arrived. He demanded them to surrender. Their response: NEVER! The Confederate troops FIRED on the fort, Major Anderson and his men ran out of ammunition and had to give up.

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861

The Civil War has Begun! Lincoln called for Americans to join the army to stop the rebellion. Frightened southern states not in the Confederacy now joined with the other 7 states. Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina Now the CSA is 11 States Strong