Road to Civil War

Sectionalism Southern Cotton North and the South divided over the issue of slavery. South needed slavery for its farming and cotton. North was afraid slavery would leave them jobless if it spread north. Southerners were angry because they thought the states should be able to settle slave laws.

Compromise of 1850 4 Compromises passed under the name “Compromise of 1850” California came into the Union as a free-state. Territories of Utah and New Mexico will let the people decide (vote) whether they want slavery or not. Slave-trade (not slavery) is abolished in Washington D.C. New Fugitive Slave Law was passed (recapture slaves that escaped) “A nation divided against itself cannot stand.” -Sam Houston

How did the book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” influence America at the time?

Kansas-Nebraska Act Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska Repealed (cancelled) the Compromise of 1820 Allowed the settlers in those territories to have Popular Sovereignty What is Popular Sovereignty?

Bleeding Kansas Pro-slavery Missourians came into Kansas and voted for a pro-slavery government. Anti-slavery Kansans argued for new elections but were denied. Missourians launched canons into Lawrence, Kansas and burned homes, and killed men.

John Brown (abolitionist) came in and executed pro-slavery settlers. More raids happened, and about 200 people died before the government came in.

Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina, attacking Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts over issues in Bleeding Kansas.

Violence in Harper’s Ferry John Brown will issue the start of a slave revolt in the city of Harper’s Ferry, VA. (U.S. armory) Slave revolt will not be successful; he’s captured 36 hours later.

SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH Slaves had no rights in the South and were subject to physical and mental abuse. The Underground Railroad helped get slaves to freedom from the South. Harriet Tubman is the most famous “conductor” of the railroad.

Dred Scott Decision The Dred Scott Decision was a major turning point. Scott sued for his freedom. (1857) Courts said Scott couldn’t sue because he was property-no rights. Court also said the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional; this angered the North.

1860 Election pg.449 Abraham Lincoln is elected from the Republican party. Not popular in the south. people viewed him as trying to end slavery. South decides they might want to secede. In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, and defend it."

After South Carolina, six other states secede.

Attack at Ft. Sumter December 1860- South Carolina secedes from the Union. First objective: Seize control of Ft. Sumter in S.C. (Union) Started firing on the fort until they surrendered. The South is upset that Lincoln has fired upon them.  states formed the Confederate States of America (CSA)

The War Begins Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion. Because of this, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina joined the CSA.