Aim: What were the social, political, and economic causes of the Civil War?

Social Uncle Tom’s Cabin causes moral outrage in North Abolitionist crusade strengthened by resistance to the fugitive slave act Underground RR helps slave escape to the north Personal Liberty Laws help runaways remain free.

The South wanted to preserve their way of life and maintained their belief in states rights Nullification: a states refusal to recognize an act of Congress

SECTIONALISM (Economic) Placing the interests of one’s own region ahead of the interests of the nation as a whole The North and The South developed differently North: Industry and Manufacturing South: Plantation Agriculture and Cash Crops

POLITICAL THE CIVIL WAR WAS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCH

The Executive Branch Presidents did little to solve the growing sectional struggle in the United States A string of mediocre presidents felt it was not the presidents job to settle the various issues that caused tension Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan were all elected because they weren’t controversial

The Legislative Branch Congress failed to deal with the question of slavery through compromise and popular sovereignty Various attempts to settle the issue of slavery only caused more tension.

Examples: The Wilmot Proviso: Stated that no slavery would be permitted in lands won from Mexico The Lecompton Constitution: Supported by the President and stated that slavery would be protected in Kansas

Popular sovereignty and the Kansas Nebraska act led to fighting in Kansas “Bleeding Kansas” “Bleeding Sumner”

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH The Dred Scott v Sanford Case Supreme Court ruled that slaves are property, and no law can deny a citizen of their property Slaves are property Opened all territories to slavery Repealed Missouri Compromise