Unit 10, Lecture 1 Tensions Leading up to the Civil War Mr. Smith 8th grade U.S. History February 8th & 9th, 2012

Sectionalism During Andrew Jackson’s presidential tenure, the country was being pulled apart by conflicts among the three main sections: The Northeast, the South, and the West Additionally, there were three main issues The sale of public lands, internal improvements, and tariffs

Tariff of Abominations Southerners were outraged They had to sell cotton at low prices to be competitive, yet pay high prices for Northern manufactured goods. South Carolina was experiencing a slumping economy John C. Calhoun brought up the doctrine of nullification A state has the right to nullify, or reject, a federal law that it considers unconstitutional Nullification is a direct challenge to the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution

The States’ Rights Debate Mixed attitudes Some supported strong federal government Others defended the rights of the states 1830, Webster-Hayne debate Hayne = supported nullification Webster = against nullification

Antislavery and Racism Antislavery movement gained strength since the 1830s Abolitionists believe slavery was immoral and it should be abolished immediately Northern workers opposed slavery because it was an economic threat to them – cheaper labor Some even felt that eventually they might be forced into slavery to find work Make no mistake about it, Northerners were still racist. They refused to go to school with, work with, or live near African Americans Reason Southerners justified the institution of slavery. White were superior to blacks (in their opinion) Introduced them to Christianity Provided food and shelter

The North With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, the Northerners were industrialists. Numerous factories  requiring labor (usually young women) and huge amount of raw materials  finished product = manufactured goods

The South The Southerners were agrarians. The wealthy, elite Southerners had vast plantations that required in excess of over 100 laborers, in some cases almost 400 laborers. Economical and efficient to adopt and run the slavery system. Take away slavery – the South would be drastically different

The Cotton Boom Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin in 1793 Made cotton cleaning far more efficient Changed Southern life by Began a westward movement Caused greater growth of cotton Native Americans were pushed off Southern lands Slaves in the east region were sold to the west and south regions

Slavery “_ _ _ _ _ _ _” With Whitney’s invention, the South could now use less slaves and still get the same amount of cotton or even more, so they stopped…right? Actually they did the opposite… Slavery E X P A N D E D (fill in above) from 1793 to 1860 Cotton export earnings change: 1820 - $22 million 1830s - $200 million Slave field hand price change 1790s - $300 1830s - $1000