Causes of the Civil War

**Missouri Compromise**

US in 1819: 11 Free & 11 slave states Conflict: Admission of Missouri

would upset the balance Solution: Missouri

Compromise ME=Free MO=Slave 36º30’ = N--> Free S--> Slave

A Divided Nation

Both North & South were equal when constitution was passed By 1850’s both developed differently

North: ______________________ South:______________________

Slavery in the Territories

1846: Wilmot Proviso David Wilmot Outlawed slavery in all land acquired from Mexico

CA, Utah & Mexico= no slavery

Wilmont Proviso

Not passed… why? Declared unconstitutional b/c slaves were

property Property was protected by constitution

The US in 1849

15 free states & 15 slave states Sept- Nov 1849: CA held constitutional

convention Applied for admission to the union

CA’s constitution forbid slavery Many southerners though MO Compromise would

protect CA from being free state

CA Statehood

President Zachary Taylor Owned slaves Thought CA should be free

Terrain did not suit slavery South began to question if they should remain in

Union Question of CA statehood topped Congress’

agenda in 1849

Compromise of 1850

CA= free UT/NM: use Stephen Douglas’s idea of

Popular Sovereignty No buying or selling of slaves in DC Fugitive Slave Law

Fugitive Slave Law

All runaway slaves must be returned to masters Fined/ jailed for helping

slaves Fugitives were not

entitled to a trial by jury

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Published in 1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe

Exposed the reality of slave life More people became

abolitionists

Underground Railroad

A system that helped slaves escape to the North or into Canada Along the way

slaves hid in houses, secret tunnels & false cupboards

US in 1854 _______ free states &

______ slave states Stephen Douglas

Wanted to organize the territory west of Iowa & Missouri

Motives: Wanted a R&R from

Chicago to San Francisco

Kansas-Nebraska Act: 1854

Divide into two territories, Kansas & Nebraska Would repeal the MO Compromise Establish popular sovereignty in both territories

“Bleeding Kansas” Series of riots & rebellions

broke out all over Kansas due to slavery issue/elections Sack of Lawrence Pottawatomie Massacre

Border “Ruffians”

(pro-slavery Missourians

)

Violence in the Senate

Charles Sumner verbally attacked supporters of slavery Especially Andrew

Butler, SC Butler’s cousin:

Preston S. Brooks, SC, defended him by beating Sumner

1856 Election

√ James Buchanan John C. Frémont Millard Fillmore Democrat Republican Know-Nothing

Election of 1856

Dred Scott v Sanford, 1857

Slave in MO Moved to IL with owner then

WI, both free Sued for his freedom

Dred Scott: Decision

Dred Scott vs. Sanford –1857 The Supreme Court Decision

African Americans, both free and slave were not American citizens, therefore, they could not sue in federal court.

The Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act were found unconstitutional, they violated the 5th Amendment (Congress had no power to deprive anyone of property)

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858

Lincoln- Douglas Debates

1858: Senate race in IL Democrat: Stephen Douglas

Strong believer in popular sovereignty Republican: Abraham Lincoln

Thought slavery was morally “evil” Douglas defeated Lincoln for the Senate seat

Split the Democratic party along sectional lines

John Brown’s Raid- 1859

Harpers Ferry – John Brown, led a rebellion at Harpers Ferry (federal arsenal in Virginia)

seized the weapons and waited for slaves to join in the rebellion

Rebellion failed Brown was captured by Robert E. Lee Hanged on Dec. 2, 1859

1860 Election

Abraham Lincoln Republican

Stephen DouglasDemocrat

John BellConstitutional Union

John C. BreckinridgeSouthern Democrat

1860: Election Results

Crittenden Compromise

Written to keep the South in the Union Protected slavery South of MO Compromise Line Didn’t allow congress to outlaw slavery in DC Northerners would pay Southerners for

unreturned slaves South REJECTED

Secession

South Carolina led the way- Dec. 20, 1860 One by one the southern states seceded They formed the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis was elected President

Secession!

South Carolina: December 20, 1860