Events Leading to The Civil War

Four Factors of Division Economic Interests Westward Expansion Slavery Debates over the nature of the Union

Slavery and States’ Rights Trying to work out these issues led to a series crises and compromises developed Admission of new states – crisis Would it be admitted as “free” or “slave” state? Failure to settle these differences will lead to Civil War

The Northern states became increasingly industrial - based on manufacturing. They favored high protective tariffs to protect Northern manufacturers from foreign competition. However, these tariffs are so high, that Americans cannot, for the most part, afford to buy foreign, imported goods.

The Southern - agricultural economy based on a labor force of slaves on plantations in the lowlands along the Atlantic and in the Deep South, and small subsistence farmers in the foothills and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. The South strongly opposed high protective tariffs, which raised the price of imported manufactured goods. These divisions so great that by 1830, many began to identify more with their region or state than the nation as a whole.

Balance of Power Escalation of Tensions 30 years before the Civil War Crises often related to the number of “Free” versus “Slave” states because of balance of power this would give in Congress between the North and South As we move West, becomes more of a crisis Abolitionist movement grows in the North after 1830

Slavery and States’ Rights The abolitionist (wanted to end slavery) movement grew in the North, led by William Lloyd Garrison, editor of The Liberator, an antislavery newspaper, and many New England religious leaders, who saw slavery as a violation of Christian principles. Garrison declared, "I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD."

The Abolitionist Movement Harriet Beecher Stowe, wife of a New England clergyman, wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which showed the cruelties of slavery Best-selling novel that caused many Northerners to join the anti-slavery cause. Abolitionists received a positive response in the North Southerners were frightened by the growing strength of the abolitionist movement and Threat of slave rebellions

Gabriel’s Rebellion and Nat Turner’s Rebellion (Virginia) Gabriel Prosser Virginia Slave Planned Rebellion in Richmond, Virginia Prosser and 34 other slaves killed after their plot was uncovered

Nat Turner’s Rebellion 1831 Turner a slave in Southampton County, Virginia, claiming divine inspiration, armed recruits with axes and clubs and traveled through the county, killing 55 whites in his attempt to lead Virginia slaves into freedom. Slave owners in Virginia crushed Nat Turner’s Rebellion, killing Turner and more than 100 of his slave-recruits. The largest and bloodiest slave revolt in the South

Effects of Rebellions Increased white southerner’s fears of slave rebellions Southern state legislatures pass stricter slave codes (the laws that governed lives of African-American slaves) After rebellions, those Southerners who did harbor anti-slavery feelings became silent

Missouri Compromise Missouri applied for admission as a slave state. Henry Clay proposed the Missouri Compromise (1820) Missouri admitted as slave state, Maine as free state - Equal at 12 free, 12 slave states – Senate Equal Drew an east-west line through the Louisiana Territory at 36° 30’ with states north of the line free and south of the line, slave, except that slavery was allowed in Missouri, north of the line. North and South argued about whether new states would allow slavery Admission of states could change the balance of power in Congress

So…. After the Missouri Compromise, it was important for Congress to keep number of slave and free states even As long as this was true, US Senate remained evenly divided between slave South and free North.

But then, there’s California 1849, the Gold Rush occurs in California when gold is discovered Thousands move to California California asks to be admitted to the union as a free state. Threatens balance between free and slave states. Again.

Henry Clay – “The Great Compromiser” allowed California to become a state. Congress almost rejected California's constitution in Southerners argued that the Missouri Compromise of 1820 should be extended to divide California in half. They would have allowed slavery in the southern region. But the southerners finally agreed to admit California as a part of a deal worked out by Senators Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. Proposed the Compromise of 1850 Previously Proposed the Missouri Compromise 1833 Tariff Compromise

Four Part Deal – Compromise of 1850 California entered as a free state New Mexico and Utah territories created with *popular sovereignty provision Abolished the slave trade, but not slavery itself in Washington, DC Stricter *Fugitive Slave law Popular sovereignty – Under this provision, each territory would decide if they would allow slavery in their territory Tougher fugitive slave laws – easier for owners and slave catchers to capture and return fugitive slaves

Fugitive Slave Law Northerners HATED the new, tougher Fugitive Slave Law It returned runaway slaves from the free North to the slave South It pitted Southern slave owners against outraged Northerners who held opposite views of the fugitive slave law

Slavery and States’ Rights The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise line by giving people in Kansas and Nebraska the choice whether to allow slavery in their states (“popular sovereignty”). This law produced bloody fighting in Kansas as pro- and anti-slavery forces battled each other. It also led to the birth of the Republican Party that same year to oppose the spread of slavery. The Kansas turmoil led to open warfare after John Brown sought revenge for the "sack of Lawrence" by murdering five proslavery settlers in cold blood at Pottawatomie Creek in May, In retaliation against Brown's raid, the proslavery forces killed five free-soilers.

Slavery and States’ Rights Southerners argued that individual states could nullify laws passed by the Congress. John C. Calhoun had put forth the idea of “Nullification” in 1832 in response to the Tariff of Abominations

Slavery and States’ Rights They also began to insist that states had entered the Union freely and could leave (“secede”) freely if they chose. Senator Daniel Webster responded in the Senate that Calhoun's theory of nullification would destroy the Union, saying "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable“. Webster and Clay worked out the Compromise of 1850.

Slavery and States’ Rights

Lincoln warned, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The nation could not continue half-free, half-slave. The issue must be resolved. Abraham Lincoln, who had joined the new Republican Party, and Stephen Douglas, a Northern Democrat, conducted numerous debates when running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois in Lincoln opposed the spread of slavery into new states; Douglas stood for “popular sovereignty.”

Slavery and States’ Rights The Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court overturned efforts to limit the spread of slavery and outraged Northerners, as did enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, which required slaves who escaped to free states to be forcibly returned to their owners in the South. Dred Scott, shown with Harriet Scott, his wife, brought suit against Scott's former owner who had taken him from Missouri into the Wisconsin Territory where slavery was prohibited. Taney's Supreme Court held that slaves such as Dred Scott were not citizens; despite the fact that such a ruling meant he had no status to sue, Taney then proceeded to argue that the Missouri Compromise had unconstitutionally restricted the property rights of slave owners.

Slavery and States’ Rights The effects of the Fugitive Slave law: A handbill dated April 24, 1851, warning the "Colored People" of Boston to beware of infringement of their freedoms by the fugitive slave law.