Causes of the Civil War

Compromise of 1850 What is it? Proposed by Henry Clay Opposed by John C. Calhoun Cal. Would be a free state New Mexico voters would decide to have/ or not have slavery = popular sovereignty All citizens would be required to apprehend runaway slaves and return them to their owners. Those who failed to do so would be fined or imprisoned = Fugitive Slave Act

Compromise of 1850 How did it lead to the Civil War? Did not solve the question of slavery in the USA spreading to new land Allowed a state to determine it’s slave status,

Kansas – Nebraska Act What was it? Proposed in 1854 by Stephen Douglas Allowed voters in each state to choose to have/not have slavery Can Congress decide or should citizens decide slavery issue, Fed Gov vs. States Rights Northerners hated it because slavery could spread to both states Southerners loved it because slavery could spread to both states

Kansas – Nebraska Act How did it lead to the Civil War? Overturned the Missouri Compromise by allowing slavery to possibly spread to free areas Intended to unite nation but caused further division and led to the creation of the Republican party Republicans felt slavery was wrong and should not spread into the new territories

Failure of Popular Sovereignty What is it? Allowing the voters of each state decide to have/not have slavery

Failure of Popular Sovereignty How did it lead to the Civil War? Bleeding Kansas: northerners and southerners moved to Kansas to out number and out vote the other. Two governments were created: proslavery in Lecompton and antislavery in Topeka. Both cities petitioned the Federal government for statehood Each side started to attack the other, reporters called it “Bleeding Kansas” Popular sovereignty didn’t work

Dred Scott Case What was it? Dred Scott was a Missouri slaved who had sued for his freedom His master had moved to Illinois, a free state U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott Court said slaves were property not citizens therefore were not entitled to sue in court

Dred Scott Case How did it lead to the Civil War? Lead to more division between North and South South loved the decision – Court upheld their right to own slaves North hated it

John Brown’s Raid What was it? Led by John Brown in 1859 Brown wanted to start a slave revolt in the south so a group of people attacked a federal arsenal and attempted to steal the weapons No slaves joined the attempted revolt Put down by Robert E. Lee Brown was captured and hanged

John Brown’s Raid How did it lead to the Civil War? Increased suspicion and rumors between north and south Some thought Brown was a martyr who died for a worthy cause Others felt he had gone too far Southerners prepared for war