The coming of the Civil war, 1787-1861

The constitution of 1787 Protected the interests of Northerners and Southerners The Constitution protected slavery Northern states chose to abolish it Southern states allowed it to exist – and spread

in early America The Federal Government did not deal with slavery very often Laws governing labor fell within STATE jurisdiction Federal government COULD regulate interstate trade 1808 -- Outlaws international slave trade Federal government HAD JURISDICTION in territories 1787 – Northwest Ordinance

An uneasy peace between North and South Free states and slave states Leaders avoided talking about slavery But the nation was changing Congress could no longer avoid the issue One crisis followed another Each was resolved, but left deep scars Until 1861: Slave states attempt to leave the union President Lincoln won’t allow it Civil War!

I. The Expansion of the Economy 1800-1850 US economy undergoes major transformation From isolated self-sufficient farmers To a nation of consumers, manufacturers, factor workers, and traders All taking part in national and international markets All because of canals, rails, telegraphs, and machines

Northern Free states become more modern The first factories Wage labor Mechanized farming Long distance communication Trains and canals The North becomes more urban The North becomes more diverse

Southern states Become more dependent on slavery Social and political power linked to owning slaves The Cotton Gin -- 1793 Cotton cultivation more cost effective and profitable Economic impact of the cotton gin is HUGE Cotton cultivation requires lots of slaves Cotton cultivation requires lots of land (moving west) The domestic slave trade became more profitable (after 1808) Southern wealth and power intertwined with slavery and the need to expand westward Talk of abolishing or containing slavery becomes dangerous

2. The rise of popular democracy 1820-1840 Most states eliminate property qualifications for voting By 1840 more than 90% of adult white men could vote This changed the nature of American politics ● Lots of poorly educated, passionate people vote ● Politicians stirred their passions to win votes ● Campaigns became dirty, rowdy, often violent ● less reason, more passion – less light, more heat

3. Territorial expansion In 1783 – Western Border was Mississippi River Federal government managed “national domain.” Congress settles slavery issue without much trouble Slavery not a very explosive issue in 1787

By 1850, the USA extended to the Pacific ocean The Louisiana Purchase (1803) The Mexican Cession (1848) The federal government managed western territories Congress could NOT easily settle the issue of slavery west of the Mississippi River Much more was at stake See “economic expansion” “Sectional politics” -- sectionalism

Creating states west of the Mississippi river The Missouri Crisis, 1819-1820 Many southerners want more slave states Some northerners oppose adding slave states Crisis resolved, but scars remain. It would become harder and harder to add states in the West

4. The rise of political abolitionism Helps explain why passions become enflamed Southerners see abolition as a threat to their way of life Abolitionists see slavery as a sin that must be outlawed

A new generation of leaders The first generation of leaders avoided talking about slavery A new generation took charge at a time when the nation was rapidly changing The economy – expanding and changing The electorate – expanding and more demanding People moving west into new territories Religious revival and abolition They were forced to talk about slavery

political abolitionism, 1840 - 1860 Moderate abolitionists form three political parties before the Civil War ★ The Liberty Party – 1840 and 1844 ★ The Free Soil Party – 1848 and 1852 ★ The Republican Party – 1856, 1860, and beyond Similar objectives: ❶ Outlaw slavery wherever Congress had jurisdiction ◆ DC and the federal territories ❷ No extension of slavery – contain slavery – no new slave states ● Keep the West free for WHITE settlers. ● this is not abolition – slavery would be allowed to exist in South

Slavery came to the forefront of politics A “blundering generation” of politicians made one tragic mistake after another They elected terrible presidents Franklin Pierce James Buchanan They passed bad laws Fugitive Slave Act (1850) Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) They stood by as the people of Kansas killed on another They beat each other on the floor of the United States Senate Ruled in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) that black people could not be citizens They started a bloody Civil War

“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand.” Abraham Lincoln “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand.”