Causes of the Civil War

Important Terms Abolitionist – someone who fought to end slavery Proslavery Activist – someone who wanted to expand slavery Free Soil Party – opposed expansion of slavery Secession – breaking away Union – the North Confederacy – the South

Fugitive Slave Act Runaway slaves everywhere No trial Slave returned to owner immediately People who helped fugitive slaves fined and jailed North – very angry

Personal Liberty Laws Reaction to Fugitive Slave Laws Forbid imprisonment of runaways Guaranteed a trial

Underground Railroad Not underground Not a railroad Symbolic for route to freedom Conductors Harriet Tubman Fredrick Douglas

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe White abolitionist Story – Uncle Tom whipped to death Reaction – North mad and South felt attacked

Bleeding Kansas Fighting between proslavery and abolitionists in Kansas The Sack of Lawrence Tried to arrest all abolitionists Pottawatomie Massacre John Brown 5 men pulled from bed and hands cut off and stabbed with swords Revenge called for by proslavery activists – fighting continues

Creation of Republican Party Founder – Horace Greeley Wanted to end slavery Competition – Know Nothing Party Candidate - John C. Fremont

Dred Scott Decision Lawsuit to gain his freedom Lost – not a citizen didn’t have the right Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional North – stunned South – happy

Harper’s Ferry John Brown 21 men (black & white) Goals: Seize the arsenal Distribute it to slaves Start an uprising 10 of Brown’s men killed Caught and hung for treason

Nat Turner’s Revolt Preacher from Virginia 80 followers Attacked 4 plantations Killed 60 whites Captured and hanged Retaliation 200 blacks killed Inspired South to defend slavery

Election of 1860 Lincoln vs. 4 other candidates Southerners felt they lost political voice South Carolina secedes from the Union Dec. 20, 1860 Goal – Preserve the Union IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE WAR!!!!!!!