Causes of the American Civil War Ashley Jenkins Woodmont High School

Westward expansion Westward expansion Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean What should be done with the land? Industry vs. Agriculture What should be done with the land? Industry vs. Agriculture

Economic Differences Southern States Agriculture Cash crops: cotton tobacco tobacco Farming creates a necessity for cheap labor = slavery Northern States Industry with some farming(cold weather crops) Industrial labor requires skills and wage earning labor

Political Differences House of Representatives issue House of Representatives issue # of Reps. determined by population # of Reps. determined by population Northerners did not want the South Northerners did not want the South counting the slaves as part of the population. Without counting slaves, the South would have less Reps. in the gov’t, therefore less power. counting the slaves as part of the population. Without counting slaves, the South would have less Reps. in the gov’t, therefore less power.

Election of 1860 Abraham Lincoln elected as 16th president in Abraham Lincoln elected as 16th president in Opposed the spread of slavery. Opposed the spread of slavery.

Southern Secession 1861: 11 states led by SC withdrew and created their own nation 1861: 11 states led by SC withdrew and created their own nation called the Confederate States of America. called the Confederate States of America. CSA president was Jefferson Davis CSA president was Jefferson Davis

Shots are fired! Abraham Lincoln sent fresh troops to Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC. Abraham Lincoln sent fresh troops to Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC. Confederate troops invaded the fort before reinforcement troops got there. Fort Sumter surrendered to the South. Lincoln declares war and sends out the militia. Confederate troops invaded the fort before reinforcement troops got there. Fort Sumter surrendered to the South. Lincoln declares war and sends out the militia.

Checking Understanding How many causes of the American Civil War can you list? Which ones are short term and which ones are long term?

Credits All photos are courtesy of the Library of Congress All photos are courtesy of the Library of CongressLibrary of CongressLibrary of Congress And the American Memory Collection And the American Memory CollectionAmerican Memory CollectionAmerican Memory Collection