The Civil War Summary

Long-Term Causes Conflict over slavery in territories Economic differences between North and South Conflict between states’ rights and federal control

Immediate Causes Election of Lincoln Secession of southern states Firing on Ft. Sumter

Immediate Effects Abolition of slavery Widening gap between economies of North & South Physical devastation of the South Reunification of the country

Long-Term Effects Reconstruction of the South Industrial boom Increased federal authority

Lincoln’s Legacy Poet Walt Whitman made the following observation about Lincoln: “He leaves for America’s history and biography, so far, not only its most dramatic reminiscence-he leaves, in my opinion, the greatest … personality…By many has this Union been … helped; but if one man, must be picked out, he, most of all, is the conservator of it, to the future. He was assassinated-but the Union is not assassinated.” – Walt Whitman, Specimen Days Do you agree or disagree about Lincoln’s legacy? Explain why.

Reconstruction and Its Effects Foundations Presidents Lincoln and Johnson propose lenient policies toward the former Confederate states. Radical Republicans gain control of Congress and pass the Reconstruction Act of 1867. Conflict over approach leads Congress to Impeach Johnson.

Reconstruction Progress States ratify the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Republicans control most state governments in the South. States start public works programs and public schools. Former slaves reunite families, work for wages, and build African-American culture.

Reconstruction Collapse War debt and low demand for cotton slow the South’s recovery. African Americans are terrorized by racist violence. Supreme Court decisions undermine 14th & 15th Amendments. Republican Party is weakened by internal conflict, scandal, and financial panic. Republicans withdraw troops from the South to gain Hayes the presidency in 1876. Democrats control governments, weaken civil rights, and eliminate public schools and programs.

Historical Perspective What might Americans today learn from the civil rights experiences of African Americans during Reconstruction?