The Causes of the Civil War

Fundamental Confusion Article 1: Section 8 of US Constitution  “Necessary and Proper Clause” 10 th Amendment to the Bill of Rights  Power to the States if Constitution doesn’t mention it  Lays groundwork for “States Rights” Conflict over slavery during 1776 debate for Declaration of Independence

Slavery and the Territories 1820 Missouri Compromise- Slave below ’ line of latitude, free states above line Keep the balance of power… What should happen in the new territories from the Mexican War?  Wilmont Priviso (1846) FAIL  Compromise of 1850 FAIL  Crittenden Amendments (1860) FAIL

Why did we keep failing? Fugitive Slave Law- South thought that the North wasn’t enforcing law Pressure from Abolitionists Dred Scot slaves are property  Overturns Missouri Compromise  Sets the slave hounds loose!  Solution: Popular Sovereignty: EPIC FAIL

Bleeding Kansas Popular Sovereignty results in fraudulent voting Political fights become physical “Free Staters” vs. Border Ruffians John Brown and the Pottawatomie Massacre

Slavery and Abolitionism Harriet Beecher Stowe Uncle Tom’s Cabin October 1859: John Brown raids Harper’s Ferry  Wanted to start and arm a slave revolt William Lloyd Garrison’s The Liberator

Economic Policy Slavery and agriculture dominate the South (lots trade in terms of cotton) but not much diversity Industry and Trade dominate the North  Immigration influx Protective Tariffs anger South  Tariff of Abominations (1828)  South Carolina tries to nullify the law- military mobilized to force them  Compromise eases the tax

Lincoln’s Election Elected in 1860  South says, “He isn’t my president!”  Lincoln says he just wants to contain slavery and not touch it If slavery is contained, South loses political influence, fields decrease in performance, if contained in South- can’t grow in the desert Lincoln uses force to keep military installations example: Fort Sumter December 24, 1860: South Carolina secedes March 4, 1861 Lincoln sworn into a broken Nation