1. The 12 Steps to Civil War

2. Step 1: Slavery Strong issue in 1800’s
Political & Social issue between the North & South
North against it & South was for it
Split the country

3. Step 2: Missouri Compromise
Passed in 1820
Kept balance of power between slave & free states-11 free/11 slave states until Missouri applied for statehood
Missouri admitted as slave; Maine as free.
Worked for a short time
Tensions grew as war with Mexico in 1846 brought land

4. Step 3: Fugitive Slave Law
From Compromise of 1850
Helped slave owners recapture runaways
Rewards provided for returned slaves
No arrest warrant needed
Angered Northerners
Citizens must assist owner

5. Step 4: Compromise of 1850
Law passed by Congress to settle tensions between slave & free states
Thought to save the Union by making compromises
California admitted as free
For Mexican Cession, use
popular sovereignty
Worked for 10 years

6. Step 5: Uncle Tom’s Cabin
1852 Novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Revealed evils of slavery
Popular in the North, but South was angry; felt it was a lie

7. Step 6: Kansas-Nebraska Act
1854 Made territories & gave citizens right to decide on slavery –popular sovereignty
Belief was it would stop the fighting caused by the Fugitive Slave Law
Got rid of the Missouri Compromise
Caused violent fighting in Kansas/Nebraska

8. Step 7: Dred Scott Decision
1856 Slave, Scott, sued for freedom in Missouri because he had lived as a slave in free territories
1857 Case went to Supreme Court; they ruled against Scott--he was property
Enraged North because could extend slavery

9. Step 8: John Brown’s Raid
1859 Brown captured arsenal and inspired slaves to fight for freedom
Harper’s Ferry, VA was captured by Brown & 17 followers; quickly defeated
All killed/captured by Lee; Brown was tried & hanged
North--Brown was a hero

10. Step 9: Lincoln’s Election
1860 Lincoln (a Republican) vs. Breckinridge
North supported Lincoln & they had more voters; Lincoln also won because
Democratic party split
Lincoln advocated abolition -- Emancipation Proclamation 1863

11. Step 10: Confederate States
1860’s Southern states starting to secede: South Carolina was 1st to leave
The Confederate States of America was formed
Jefferson Davis became the Confederate President
Drafted their own constitution bases on states’ rights

12. Step 11: Fort Sumter April 12, 1861: first battle of the Civil War
No casualties, only wounded
Confederate victory
SC attacks Union fort; Union fights back

13. Ulysses S. Grant Union-North
Step 12: Civil War
Massive loss of life
The bloodiest war in US history
Grant (North)
Lee (South)
Ulysses S. Grant Union-North
Confederate-South