Origins of the Origins of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
NC HistoryNC History
Mr. WoodsMr. Woods
James K PolkJames K Polk
The eleventh President of the The eleventh President of the United States of America.United States of America. Born in NC and graduated, with Born in NC and graduated, with
honors, from UNC.honors, from UNC. Wished to expand the borders of Wished to expand the borders of
the United States to reach from the United States to reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.oceans. Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny-The belief that -The belief that
the people of the United States had the people of the United States had been destined to spread across the been destined to spread across the entirety of the North American entirety of the North American continent.continent.
Acquiring New TerritoryAcquiring New Territory By 1845 thousands of Americans By 1845 thousands of Americans
had poured into two regions: had poured into two regions: The newly independent Republic of The newly independent Republic of
Texas and Oregon.Texas and Oregon. Polk swore to bring both areas into the Polk swore to bring both areas into the
United States.United States. To obtain Oregon, the United States To obtain Oregon, the United States
would have to once again challenge would have to once again challenge Great Britain (England.)Great Britain (England.)
Texas, though free, was still claimed Texas, though free, was still claimed by Mexico.by Mexico.
Acquiring OregonAcquiring Oregon
To avoid war, the United States and Britain To avoid war, the United States and Britain decided to divide the Oregon Territory between decided to divide the Oregon Territory between them.them.
The dividing line was set at the 49The dividing line was set at the 49thth parallel parallel (49(49° N Latitude.) This still forms the Northern ° N Latitude.) This still forms the Northern border between the U.S. and Canada.border between the U.S. and Canada.
War With MexicoWar With Mexico In 1845 Congress approved a treaty with Texas In 1845 Congress approved a treaty with Texas
that would pave the way for its statehood.that would pave the way for its statehood. AnnexationAnnexation-the addition of new territory to the -the addition of new territory to the
United States.United States. News of the U.S. annexation of Texas infuriated News of the U.S. annexation of Texas infuriated
Mexico.Mexico. Polk sent diplomats to offer to buy Mexico’s other Polk sent diplomats to offer to buy Mexico’s other
territories in the southwest (California, New Mexico, territories in the southwest (California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Colorado) enraging Mexico further.Nevada, and Colorado) enraging Mexico further.
Mexico refused to listen to the offer.Mexico refused to listen to the offer. In 1846 Polk moved U.S. troops into lands near In 1846 Polk moved U.S. troops into lands near
the Rio Grande river that were claimed both by the Rio Grande river that were claimed both by Mexico and Texas.Mexico and Texas. Provoked the conflict known as the “Mexican Provoked the conflict known as the “Mexican
American War.”American War.”
Results of the Mexican American Results of the Mexican American WarWar
Mexico ceded all lands North of the Rio Mexico ceded all lands North of the Rio Grande in the Grande in the Treaty of Guadalupe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.Hidalgo.
Established the Rio Grande as the Southern Established the Rio Grande as the Southern Boundary of the United States.Boundary of the United States.
Sectional DivisionSectional Division
Debates in congress in the 1800’s Debates in congress in the 1800’s often broke along sectional lines.often broke along sectional lines. The North wanted laws that would The North wanted laws that would
promote trade and the growth of industry.promote trade and the growth of industry. The South wanted laws that would protect The South wanted laws that would protect
slavery and the growth of agriculture.slavery and the growth of agriculture. As a result, both North and South As a result, both North and South
jealously watched the entry of new jealously watched the entry of new states into the Union.states into the Union. Both wanted the entry of new Western Both wanted the entry of new Western
states to benefit their section.states to benefit their section.
During the Nation’s early years, the During the Nation’s early years, the states managed to keep a balance states managed to keep a balance between Free and Slave states.between Free and Slave states.
However in 1818 the call for statehood However in 1818 the call for statehood came from the people of Missouri.came from the people of Missouri. Many people in Missouri owned slaves, so it Many people in Missouri owned slaves, so it
would enter the Union as a slave state.would enter the Union as a slave state. This would give the South the majority in the This would give the South the majority in the
senate, so many Northerners resisted the senate, so many Northerners resisted the entry of Missouri as a slave state.entry of Missouri as a slave state.
They did not want slavery, or Southern power, to They did not want slavery, or Southern power, to spread West.spread West.
Crisis With MissouriCrisis With Missouri
Missouri CompromiseMissouri Compromise For months the North and South argued over the For months the North and South argued over the
issue of Missouri.issue of Missouri. In 1820 the problem was solved when Maine (which at In 1820 the problem was solved when Maine (which at
this time was still part of Massachusetts) asked to this time was still part of Massachusetts) asked to become a separate state.become a separate state.
Senator Henry Clay then proposed the Senator Henry Clay then proposed the Missouri Missouri CompromiseCompromise which would admit Maine as a free which would admit Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state.state and Missouri as a slave state. This would maintain the balance of Free states and This would maintain the balance of Free states and
Slave states in congress.Slave states in congress. The compromise also drew an imaginary line The compromise also drew an imaginary line
corresponding with the Southern border of Missouri. corresponding with the Southern border of Missouri. Any state North of that line would be admitted as a free Any state North of that line would be admitted as a free state, any South of the line would be open to slavery.state, any South of the line would be open to slavery.
Key Points ReviewKey Points Review Mid-1800’s North was industrial while the South Mid-1800’s North was industrial while the South
was Agricultural.was Agricultural. North and South were linked by cotton.North and South were linked by cotton. Debates in congress in the 1800’s often broke Debates in congress in the 1800’s often broke
along sectional lines.along sectional lines. 1818-the call for statehood came from the 1818-the call for statehood came from the
people of Missouripeople of Missouri Senator Henry Clay proposed the Senator Henry Clay proposed the Missouri Missouri
CompromiseCompromise which would admit Maine as a which would admit Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. free state and Missouri as a slave state.
1845-James K Polk wins Oregon from England 1845-James K Polk wins Oregon from England and Texas from Mexico.and Texas from Mexico.
The South wanted to extend slavery into Texas The South wanted to extend slavery into Texas and Oregon, the North did not.and Oregon, the North did not.
Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny-The belief that the people of -The belief that the people of the United States had been destined to spread the United States had been destined to spread across the entirety of the North American across the entirety of the North American continent.continent. AnnexationAnnexation-the addition of new territory to the -the addition of new territory to the United StatesUnited States 4949thth Parallel- Parallel-formed the Northern Border b/t the formed the Northern Border b/t the U.S. and CanadaU.S. and CanadaTreaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo-Ended the Ended the Spanish American War and made the Spanish American War and made the Rio Grande Rio Grande RiverRiver the Southern Border b/t the U.S and Mexico. the Southern Border b/t the U.S and Mexico.Sectionalism-Sectionalism-Strong loyalty to one’s own region Strong loyalty to one’s own region or sectionor sectionMissouri CompromiseMissouri Compromise which would admit Maine which would admit Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state.as a free state and Missouri as a slave state.36°30’-36°30’-The “Missouri Compromise line” formed The “Missouri Compromise line” formed by the southern border of Missouri. States North of by the southern border of Missouri. States North of the line would be free, states South of the line the line would be free, states South of the line would be open to Slavery.would be open to Slavery.
Trouble with CaliforniaTrouble with California The Missouri Compromise effectively The Missouri Compromise effectively
maintained the balance of power in the maintained the balance of power in the United States from 1820-1850.United States from 1820-1850. In 1850, one year after the In 1850, one year after the California Gold California Gold
Rush (1849), Rush (1849), California requested entry into California requested entry into the Union as a free state.the Union as a free state.
The acceptance of California as a free The acceptance of California as a free state would upset the delicate balance state would upset the delicate balance between the 15 free states and the 15 between the 15 free states and the 15 slave states.slave states.
A War of WordsA War of Words
The North and the South would battle The North and the South would battle over California in the legislature.over California in the legislature. Henry ClayHenry Clay would once again step forward would once again step forward
with a compromise, earning him the with a compromise, earning him the nickname nickname “The Great Compromiser.”“The Great Compromiser.”
Clay knew that if Congress failed to Clay knew that if Congress failed to reach an agreement, some Southern reach an agreement, some Southern States might States might SECEDE.SECEDE. SECESSION: TO LEAVE THE UNIONSECESSION: TO LEAVE THE UNION
Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850
In order to satisfy both the North and In order to satisfy both the North and South, Henry Clay proposed South, Henry Clay proposed The The Compromise of 1850.Compromise of 1850. Under the compromise, California would be Under the compromise, California would be
admitted as a free state.admitted as a free state. To satisfy the South Clay suggested that two To satisfy the South Clay suggested that two
other territories, Utah and New Mexico, other territories, Utah and New Mexico, decide the slavery issue for themselves.decide the slavery issue for themselves.
Utah and New Mexico would be able to vote on Utah and New Mexico would be able to vote on whether they would be free or slave.whether they would be free or slave.
The Compromise of 1850 also called for The Compromise of 1850 also called for stronger stronger Fugitive Slave LawsFugitive Slave Laws.. Fugitive slave laws forced people to return Fugitive slave laws forced people to return
runaway slaves and made it illegal to help runaway slaves and made it illegal to help runaways escape to the North.runaways escape to the North.
The Compromise of 1850 satisfied no one The Compromise of 1850 satisfied no one completely.completely. Many lawmakers hated slavery, but wanted Many lawmakers hated slavery, but wanted
to keep the country together.to keep the country together. The Compromise passed by only a narrow margin.The Compromise passed by only a narrow margin.
Abolition and the Underground Abolition and the Underground RailroadRailroad
Some Northerners had no intention of Some Northerners had no intention of following new Fugitive Slave laws.following new Fugitive Slave laws. Many were Many were Abolitionists,Abolitionists, people that wanted people that wanted
to see slavery ended.to see slavery ended. Not all Southerners wanted slavery.Not all Southerners wanted slavery.
North Carolina had several Anti-Slavery North Carolina had several Anti-Slavery groups.groups.
ABOLITIONISTABOLITIONIST Someone who wanted to see slavery Someone who wanted to see slavery
ended ended RADICAL ABOLITIONISTRADICAL ABOLITIONIST
Someone who wanted to see slavery Someone who wanted to see slavery ended AND WOULD DO ANYTHING TO ended AND WOULD DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!MAKE IT HAPPEN!
““The Underground Railroad”The Underground Railroad” Runaway slaves could find their way to Runaway slaves could find their way to
freedom along the freedom along the Underground Underground Railroad, Railroad, which stretched from the rim which stretched from the rim of the South all the way to Canada.of the South all the way to Canada. Its “tracks” consisted of trails through forests Its “tracks” consisted of trails through forests
and fields.and fields. Its “stations” were the barns, attics, and Its “stations” were the barns, attics, and
cellars of abolitionists along the route.cellars of abolitionists along the route. Its “conductors” were the courageous people, Its “conductors” were the courageous people,
including former slaves, that risked including former slaves, that risked everything guiding escaping slaves North.everything guiding escaping slaves North.
Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman
The most famous The most famous conductor on the conductor on the underground underground railroad.railroad.
Guided more than Guided more than 300 people to 300 people to Freedom.Freedom.
Southern Authorities Southern Authorities placed a $40,000 placed a $40,000 reward for her reward for her capture, but she was capture, but she was never caught.never caught.
Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin In 1852, author In 1852, author Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe
published published Uncle Tom’s Cabin.Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book was filled with tales of the cruelty, The book was filled with tales of the cruelty,
suffering, and desperate escapes of slaves.suffering, and desperate escapes of slaves. The book was so moving that it sold The book was so moving that it sold
400,000 copies within months, and 400,000 copies within months, and inspired thousands to join the Abolitionist inspired thousands to join the Abolitionist movement.movement.
Southern states branded the book “a Southern states branded the book “a pack of lies” and banned its sale in the pack of lies” and banned its sale in the South.South.
Thunderbolt from the Thunderbolt from the Supreme CourtSupreme Court
On March 6, 1857 a decision was On March 6, 1857 a decision was made by the U.S. Supreme Court in made by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of the case of Dred Scot v. SandfordDred Scot v. Sandford The case involved two enslaved The case involved two enslaved
Africans, Dred and Harriot Scot.Africans, Dred and Harriot Scot. Dred was suing for his freedom.Dred was suing for his freedom.
He and his wife had lived for several He and his wife had lived for several years with their owners in free years with their owners in free territories.territories.
Dred felt that since they had lived on Dred felt that since they had lived on free soil, he and his wife should be free.free soil, he and his wife should be free.
The Supreme Court ruled that people of The Supreme Court ruled that people of African descent-both free and slave-were African descent-both free and slave-were not considered citizens under the not considered citizens under the constitution.constitution. Therefore African Americans could not sue in Therefore African Americans could not sue in
federal courtsfederal courts The court went on to find that slaves were The court went on to find that slaves were
“property.”“property.” Since people could take their property Since people could take their property
anywhere the court said Congress had no right anywhere the court said Congress had no right to ban slavery in the territories.to ban slavery in the territories.
The ruling was a huge victory for the The ruling was a huge victory for the South.South.
To radical Abolitionists such as To radical Abolitionists such as John John BrownBrown it seemed that abolition would it seemed that abolition would have to come at the point of a gun.have to come at the point of a gun.
John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid In October of 1859 a radical abolitionist In October of 1859 a radical abolitionist
named John Brown attacked and seized the named John Brown attacked and seized the federal arsenal at federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry VaHarpers Ferry Va.. Radical Abolitionist-Radical Abolitionist-Person who was willing Person who was willing
to take extreme measure to end slavery.to take extreme measure to end slavery. Arsenal-Arsenal-A place where weapons and A place where weapons and
ammunition are stored.ammunition are stored. John Brown also sent word to nearby John Brown also sent word to nearby
plantations, urging enslaved Africans to plantations, urging enslaved Africans to join him in rebellion.join him in rebellion. Instead federal troops arrived under the Instead federal troops arrived under the
command of Colonel Robert E. Lee and stopped command of Colonel Robert E. Lee and stopped the rebellion.the rebellion.
Lincoln’s ElectionLincoln’s Election In 1860, in a controversial election, In 1860, in a controversial election,
Abraham Lincoln was elected president.Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln only received 39% of the popular Lincoln only received 39% of the popular
vote, but managed to gain the majority of the vote, but managed to gain the majority of the Electoral College votes.Electoral College votes.
Lincoln won no southern states.Lincoln won no southern states. Many southern states had threatened to Many southern states had threatened to
secede if Lincoln won.secede if Lincoln won. They were afraid Lincoln would ban slavery in They were afraid Lincoln would ban slavery in
the south.the south. On December 20, 1860, On December 20, 1860, South CarolinaSouth Carolina
became the first state to leave the Union.became the first state to leave the Union.
Forming the ConfederacyForming the Confederacy After the secession of South Carolina, After the secession of South Carolina,
southern states left the U.S. and one by one southern states left the U.S. and one by one formed a new nation.formed a new nation. Confederate States of AmericaConfederate States of America-New Nation -New Nation
formed by the states that decided to leave the formed by the states that decided to leave the United States.United States.
The newly formed C.S.A. was led by The newly formed C.S.A. was led by Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis who would serve as its only who would serve as its only president.president.
North Carolina did not immediately secede.North Carolina did not immediately secede. Many North Carolinians loved the Union and Many North Carolinians loved the Union and
adopted a “Wait and See” mentality hoping adopted a “Wait and See” mentality hoping Lincoln would find a solution to the crisis.Lincoln would find a solution to the crisis.