1. Entry 5/07
What was the Underground Railroad? Would you be willing to risk your life for something you believed in?

2. Causes of the Civil War
Social Studies

3. Overview-Causes
Simplest answer is there is no simple answer. (Many Causes)
Two sides grew up with different values, philosophies, and economies.
States Rights
Slavery-balance of power
Cotton Gin, New territories, Fugitive Slave Act, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott Decision, election of Lincoln.

4. Compromise of 1850 Written by Henry Clay
California would become a free state
New Mexico/Utah no restrictions on slavery
New Mexico-Texas border would be settled in favor of New Mexico
Slave Trade but not slavery would be abolished in Washington D.C.
Strong Fugitive Slave Law

5. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Most important book in 19th Century (maybe ever)
Over 2 million copies in U.S.
Changed people’s idea about slavery by

6. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
Encourage settlement in west. (Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska).
abandoned the Missouri Compromise and let settlers in each territory decide on whether or not to allow slavery.
Lead to Bleeding Kansas

7. Conflict in Kansas
Anti-Slavery and Proslavery groups rushed supporters into territory.
Border Ruffians from Missouri crossing just to vote (Corrupt)

8. Bleeding Kansas
Slavery supporters attacked the town of Lawrence, the antislavery capital
John Brown heard the news and led a raid with his five sons killing 5 men who supported slavery.
Violence was seen throughout territory

9. Dred Scott Decision
He claimed he should be free since he once lived on free soil.
Supreme Court ruled he was a slave and had no right to bring a lawsuit. (Property)
Many antislavery groups called the decision wicked and false judgment.

10. Raid on Harper’s Ferry

13. Election of 1860 Abraham Lincoln (Rep.) vs. Stephen Douglas (Dem.)
North had greater population (all voted Lincoln)
South doesn’t trust Republican Party and feels they’ll try to end slavery.

14. Attack on Ft. Sumter Seen as the start of the Civil War
Confederacy attacked Union fort while low on supplies

15. Questions
What did the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 have in common?
Why was Uncle Tom’s Cabin such a powerful book?
What impact did John Brown have on U.S. History?
Who was Dred Scott and why did he go to the Supreme Court?