Road to Civil War 1820-1861

Sectionalism An exaggerated loyalty to a particular region of the country Distinct division are formed Beliefs Policies 1819 – there is a balance of “free” and “slave” states Missouri (“slave” state) asks for admission into the US.

Missouri Compromise Henry Clay’s proposal To keep the balance, Missouri admitted as “slave” and Maine as a “free” state All future states below the 36 degree parallel would be “slave” states Compromise worked for next 25 years…

Great Race… 1840s, New territories are growing Convert new territories Texas won Independence from Mexico US Mexican war would free other territories (California & New Mexico) Oregon & Utah territory Convert new territories Introduce slavery in hopes of that it will join the US as a “slave” state Others fought hard to keep slaves out of new territories in hopes that it would be a “free” state

Compromise of 1850 No balance of states, South might secede To leave or withdraw from union Henry Clay suggested: California enters as a free state New Mexico will decide dispute Strong fugitive (runaway) slave law Disagreement From John C. Calhoun Support From Daniel Webster

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 Underground Railroad New Fugitive Slave Act Network of “safe” houses used to harbor runaway slavers that were owned by anti-slavery blacks and whites New Fugitive Slave Act All people (from North and South) must assist in the capture of runaway slaves People will be convicted of a crime for assisting runaway slaves This gave slave-owners and slave catchers a great deal of power in the North

New Powers granted by Fugitive Slave Act Slave catchers went to extreme lengths Sometimes captured long-time escaped slaves Sometimes freed blacks were taken back and enslaved Extreme nature of capture upset many Northerners to not support the Act Disregard for the law upset many Southerners since right to property were key

Kansas-Nebraska Act Kansas-Nebraska Act Franklin Pierce – 1853 Allow for Popular sovereignty People will vote to pick if state will become “free” or “slave” state Many northerners were upset, the Act opened a large territory to slavery The Act barely passes in Congress Franklin Pierce – 1853 Seeking statehood: Kansas and Nebraska North of line established in Missouri Compromise

Kansas vote: “free” or “slave” Violence erupts in Kansas People (pro and anti slavery) rush to Kansas for vote 1500 registered voters 6000 people casts votes Pro-slavery groups hire thugs to roam borders Anti-slavery groups attack towns and groups John Brown (abolitionist) leads a little civil war in Kansas.

The Division spreads further John Brown’s raids cause division Political party division Whig party is gone Northern and Southern Democrats split over issue Republican party (anti-slavery) forms Election of 1856 Democrat James Buchanan wins presidency

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Dred Scott Case Scott was a slave who lived in Missouri In 1830, this master, took him to Illinois, a “free” state for several years. He would later return w/ his owner back to Missouri Under Missouri law, “once free, always free” Scott (w/ anti-slavery lawyers) sued for his freedom His claim: He was not a slave anymore because he lived in a “free” state for several years and was now free because of that

Scott decision Living in a “free” state does not make you free Slaves are property 5th amendment protects the government from taking away property No state has the power to ban or outlaw slavery is it against the law to bring your car into another state? Popular sovereignty was not legal because not even the voters could decide if slavery was okay

Supreme Court ruling makes things worse This was the Supreme Court suggested Many Northerners were upset by court ruling Constitution protects slavery!!

Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 – Race for Senator of Illinois Lincoln believe that Slavery was wrong Douglas won election, but Lincoln’s stance on Slavery gained him national reputation

John Brown raids again John Brown attacks A strong supporter of anti-slavery (abolitionist) movement This time he raids Harpers Ferry, Virginia He and his troops are caught and sentenced to hang His death inspired some to continue the fight to abolish slavery

Election of 1860 Lincoln represents Republicans Stance: Leave slavery alone, but don’t allow it to spread Lincoln wins presidency South saw victory as the end of slavery Threats to secession change to reality!

South Secedes December 1860 Was secession the only option? South Carolina hold special convention Votes to secede from Union (US) Many wanted to save the Union, but how? The issue has been compromised for nearly 40 years and nothing had worked Was secession the only option?

The Confederacy 1861 Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, & Georgia had joined S. Carolina The CSA (Confederate States of America) was formed Jefferson Davis was elected president WHY? The justification was State’s Rights States were being denied their right to freedom of choice (choice to have slavery) Being denied property (5th Amendment)

Not all left, but now what? Not every state left Virginia, Kentucky, N. Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, & Arkansas Every one is anxious to see what newly-elected President A. Lincoln will say or do “We are not enemies, but friends. Though [things] may be strained, it must not break our bond...” President A. Lincoln “I see only that a fearful calamity is upon us.” Robert E. Lee

Fort Sumter U.S. had forts all through South South took control of forts Lincoln as not content in allow that to happen Fort Sumter, in S. Carolina was low in supplies Lincoln told S. Carolina he was going to send an unarmed expedition with supplies The decision to attack the expedition or Fort was left up to the Confederacy and S. Carolina

Fort Sumter April 1861 Confederacy (south) attacks Fort Sumter before supplies arrive Nobody is killed, but Confederacy (south) captures the fort

Shots are fired Lincoln calls for 75,000 Union (north) troops Remaining Southern states join the Confederacy The Civil War has officially started!