VUS.7a Causes of the Civil War Mounting sectional tensions and a failure of political will led to the Civil War.

Sectional Debates: Tariffs – Many Southerners opposed tariffs, claiming it as a form of economic imperialism passed by the North. Extension of Slavery – Many Southerners supported extension of slavery as a means of protecting economic interests. States’ Rights – Many Southerners believed the central government was exercising too much power, and the states had the right to nullify a law if it harmed a state.

Northern Abolitionists vs. Southern Defenders of Slavery Many Southerners relied on slavery as the basis of the large-scale agricultural economy. Viewing it as a “necessary evil” – and pointing to the hypocrisy of the poor labor class in the North. Many Northerners opposed slavery on moral reasons. The slave-based agricultural system of the South did not seem “modern”.

The Dred Scott Decision: 1857 The Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court overturned efforts to limit the spread of slavery. The court ruled that no black man was a citizen, and that slaves could be taken to free territories because they were property This literally nullified the Missouri Compromise Line. Northerners were outraged!

“The Little Lady who Started the war.” Abraham Lincoln Harriet Beecher Stowe, wife of a New England clergyman, wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a best-selling novel that inflamed Northern abolitionist sentiment. Southerners were frightened by the growing strength of Northern abolitionism. The book itself was based on stereotypes and imagination, as Stowe had never been to a plantation.

The “Failed” Compromises: Compromise of 1850 Kansas-Nebraska Act

President Lincoln: Elected to presidency in 1860 South Carolina and the “deep South” seceded, forming the Confederate States of America. Lincoln called to raise troops in 1861

the major events and the roles of key leaders VUS.7b The Civil War 1861-1865 the major events and the roles of key leaders

Keep these questions in mind as you view this presentation: What were the major military and political events of the Civil War? Who were the key leaders of the Civil War? Why did Southern states secede? Did any state have a right to leave the Union? Was Lincoln right to use military force to keep the Union intact?

The Civil War The secession of southern states triggered a long and costly war that concluded with Northern victory, a restoration of the Union, and emancipation of the slaves.

The Civil War The Civil War put constitutional government to its most important test as the debate over the power of the federal government versus states’ rights reached a climax. The survival of the United States as one nation was at risk, and the nation's ability to bring to reality the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice depended on the outcome of the war.

Major Events

Election of Lincoln (1860), Triggered the secession of South Carolina, followed by other Southern States (deep South) The South feared abolition of slavery

Ft. Sumter: Opening confrontation of the Civil War April 12, 1861 South attempted to take the fort Sparked secession of VA and upper South

Antietam McClellan attacked Lee, September 1862 Bloodiest day of battle in American History Prompted Lincoln to consider the Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg: Turning point of the Civil War July of 1863 Lee attacked North to relieve pressure on Richmond Several fatal mistakes were made by South Ended any hope of Southern advance This is turning point of the war

Appomattox: Site of Lee’s surrender to Grant on April 9, 1865 This formally ends the war Generous terms were offered by Lincoln and Grant “With malice toward none…”

Key leaders and their roles

Abraham Lincoln President of the United States during the Civil War, Insisted that the Union be held together, by force if necessary.  Issued the Emancipation Proclamation The U.S. was not a collection of states but an indivisible nation!

Jefferson Davis U.S. Senator before the war Selected to be the President of the Confederacy in 1860

Ulysses S. Grant: Union commander who took over late in war Won victories over the South after several Union commanders had failed Gained early success in West Eventually defeated Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee: Confederate General of the Army of Northern VA Opposed secession as well as force to keep Union together Sided with South after Ft. Sumter Urged reunification after the war

Frederick Douglass Former slave who became prominent abolitionist Urged Lincoln to recruit former slaves to fight in Union Army