1. Causes of the
Civil War

2. I. Growing Sectionalism
Sectionalism - loyalty to your own region instead of to the nation as a whole.
During the 1800’s the United States was divided into 3 regions.
North – Northern states, Free States, against slavery, economic base was industry and manufacturing
South – Southern states, Slave States, supported slavery, economic base was production of cotton on plantations
West – Western States, Primarily Free states but some slave states, economic base was farming.

3. II. 3 Main Causes
The main issues dividing the North and the South were differing views regarding states’ rights, the expansion of slavery and the existence of slavery
States’ Rights – Powers reserved for the individual states and state governments rather than the federal (nation) government
10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights
Each state has power and authority to choose its own course.
Belief in self governance.
Nullification – do states have the right to reject federal laws – Y or N
Slavery – Force servitude, based on race. Morally wrong based on our core beliefs in freedom and self governance.
Slavery’s Expansion – Should slavery expand into new territories?
Loss of governmental power if slavery is not allowed to expand.

5. Fugitive Slave Laws
1850
It was a law that required all citizen in the United States to help in the recovery of runaway slaves. Captured persons did not get a jury trial.
Slavery becomes a national topic of conversation and more people start standing up against slavery.

6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin
1852
Was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted slavery and the life of a slave in the South
Brought the evils of slavery to the attention of many Americans who were once neutral. Southern’s denied the validity of the book.

7. Kansas-Nebraska Act “Bleeding Kansas”
1854
Congress passed a law that allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise
Pro-slavery and Anti-slavery people rushed to the territories and a bloody mini civil war started in the two territories

8. Court Case: Dred Scott v. Sandford
1857
A court case where a slave was suing for his freedom after his owner had died.
Widened the political gap between the North and the South by encouraging the growth of slavery by not giving people rights.

9. John Brown & Harper’s Ferry
1859
John Brown and 21 others attempted to capture a store of weapons that would be used to destroy slavery by attacking slaveholders and helping runaway slaves
Northern Abolitionist hailed Brown a martyr while the South labeled Brown villan.