EVENTS AND CAUSES EVENTS AND CAUSES LEADING TO THE CIVIL LEADING TO THE CIVIL

WAR.WAR.

6 S’s or Causes of the Civil War6 S’s or Causes of the Civil War

Slavery: Slavery became a key Slavery: Slavery became a key issue in the arguments of the North issue in the arguments of the North and the South.and the South.

The south was very agricultural The south was very agricultural while the north was industrial.while the north was industrial.

The south feared the declaration of The south feared the declaration of freedom for the slaves by freedom for the slaves by government leaders in the North.government leaders in the North.

Governmental officials at the time Governmental officials at the time were not interested in ending were not interested in ending slavery in the slave states, but slavery in the slave states, but instead in keeping newly admitted instead in keeping newly admitted states from becoming slave states.states from becoming slave states.

The first official disagreement of The first official disagreement of this came in 1820.this came in 1820.

By the end of 1819, there were 11 By the end of 1819, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states. free states and 11 slave states.

In 1820, Maine and Missouri In 1820, Maine and Missouri wanted to enter the Union.wanted to enter the Union.

Congress had to decide whether to Congress had to decide whether to admit them in as free states or admit them in as free states or slave states.slave states.

At the time, Missouri had about At the time, Missouri had about 2,000 slaves.2,000 slaves.

An amendment was introduced in An amendment was introduced in the House by James Tallmadge, a the House by James Tallmadge, a New York Representative to ban New York Representative to ban slavery in Missouri.slavery in Missouri.

When the amendment was voted When the amendment was voted on and passed in the House.on and passed in the House.

In the Senate where the amount of In the Senate where the amount of slave state representatives was slave state representatives was equal to the amount of free states, equal to the amount of free states, it was a tie.it was a tie.

A heated battle started between A heated battle started between the representatives from the the representatives from the Northern and Southern states.Northern and Southern states.

A compromise was reached:A compromise was reached:

Missouri Compromise –Missouri Compromise – This This stated that Maine would enter the stated that Maine would enter the Union as a free state and Missouri Union as a free state and Missouri would enter as a slave state. It would enter as a slave state. It stated that there would be no stated that there would be no slavery north of the 36.20 degree slavery north of the 36.20 degree latitude line. This included any latitude line. This included any lands west of the southern lands west of the southern boundary of Missouri.boundary of Missouri.

In 1850, the issue of slavery came In 1850, the issue of slavery came up again.up again.

There were 15 slave states and 15 There were 15 slave states and 15 free states.free states.

California had been settled heavily California had been settled heavily from the Gold Rush and wanted to from the Gold Rush and wanted to be admitted to the Union as a free be admitted to the Union as a free state.state.

This would throw off the balance This would throw off the balance between slave and free states.between slave and free states.

This debate became known as This debate became known as ““The Great Debate.”The Great Debate.”

Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky proposed a compromise.proposed a compromise.

The Compromise of 1850The Compromise of 1850 – stated – stated that the California would enter as a that the California would enter as a free state, Slave trading was ended free state, Slave trading was ended in the District of Columbia, and in the District of Columbia, and Texas could not annex New Mexico Texas could not annex New Mexico and make it part of the slave state and make it part of the slave state of Texas.of Texas.

It also stated that the territories of It also stated that the territories of New Mexico and Utah would New Mexico and Utah would determine for themselves whether determine for themselves whether to become slave or free states. to become slave or free states. The residents of the District of The residents of the District of Columbia could keep the slaves Columbia could keep the slaves that they already had, and that any that they already had, and that any slave that ran away from a slave slave that ran away from a slave state to a free state would be state to a free state would be returned to their owners.returned to their owners.

Senator John C. Calhoun of South Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina would not accept any Carolina would not accept any limits on slavery, and President limits on slavery, and President Zachary Taylor would not sign Zachary Taylor would not sign anything that would not allow anything that would not allow California to enter as a free state.California to enter as a free state.

It seemed to be a deadlock until It seemed to be a deadlock until both Calhoun and Taylor died. both Calhoun and Taylor died. One died in March and the other in One died in March and the other in July.July.

The new President, Millard The new President, Millard Fillmore, favored Clay’s Fillmore, favored Clay’s compromise, so it passed in 1850.compromise, so it passed in 1850.

The issue of slavery came up again The issue of slavery came up again in 1854.in 1854.

More lands were being settled west More lands were being settled west of Missouri and those areas wanted of Missouri and those areas wanted to be admitted to the Union.to be admitted to the Union.

Stephen Douglas of Illinois brought Stephen Douglas of Illinois brought about passage of the about passage of the Kansas-Kansas-Nebraska Act.Nebraska Act. - This stated that - This stated that any territory wanting admittance to any territory wanting admittance to the Union would be able to decide the Union would be able to decide whether to enter as a free of slave whether to enter as a free of slave state.state.

This angered many northerners This angered many northerners because this changed the decision because this changed the decision of the Missouri Compromise. of the Missouri Compromise.

The battle became very heated as The battle became very heated as abolitionist promised to send abolitionist promised to send freesoilersfreesoilers, or people against , or people against slavery, into Kansas and Nebraska slavery, into Kansas and Nebraska with guns to oppose slavery, while with guns to oppose slavery, while proslavery people promised to proslavery people promised to send men to fight for slavery.send men to fight for slavery.

This resulted in so much bloodshed This resulted in so much bloodshed in Kansas, that it became known as in Kansas, that it became known as “Bleeding Kansas”“Bleeding Kansas”

Congress rejected Kansas’s bid for Congress rejected Kansas’s bid for admittance as a slave state. This admittance as a slave state. This made the southern states realize made the southern states realize that northern votes could keep that northern votes could keep slave states from entering the slave states from entering the Union.Union.

Dred ScottDred Scott

In 1834, Dred Scott was taken by In 1834, Dred Scott was taken by his owner from a slave state of his owner from a slave state of Missouri to a free state of Illinois, Missouri to a free state of Illinois, and later to Wisconsin, another and later to Wisconsin, another free state.free state.

When returning to Missouri, Scott When returning to Missouri, Scott filed a lawsuit claiming his freedom.filed a lawsuit claiming his freedom.

He said that he should be free He said that he should be free since he had lived in a free state. since he had lived in a free state.

Abolitionist raised enough money Abolitionist raised enough money to take the case to the U.S. to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.Supreme Court.

The court said that he could not The court said that he could not sue because he was a slave.sue because he was a slave.

The court also stated that The court also stated that Congress had no right to stop Congress had no right to stop slavery in territories. slavery in territories.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h1532.html

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid

John was an abolitionist that hated John was an abolitionist that hated slavery.slavery.

He wanted to help the slaves to He wanted to help the slaves to freedom, so he planned a raid.freedom, so he planned a raid.

He needed lots of guns and He needed lots of guns and ammunition, so he and his ammunition, so he and his followers raided a federal arsenal followers raided a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginiaat Harpers Ferry in Virginia..

They killed the mayor and made They killed the mayor and made prisoners of forty citizens. They prisoners of forty citizens. They then took over a building at a then took over a building at a railroad station.railroad station.

Within 24 hours troops led by Within 24 hours troops led by Colonel Robert E. Lee captured Colonel Robert E. Lee captured Brown.Brown.

He was taken to court and charged He was taken to court and charged with treason and was sentenced to with treason and was sentenced to be hanged.be hanged.

He said that he was happy to die He said that he was happy to die for God’s eternal truth.for God’s eternal truth.

Southerners saw him as a Southerners saw him as a murderer and were afraid that murderer and were afraid that others would follow his example.others would follow his example.

Northerners didn’t like the killings Northerners didn’t like the killings but thought he was a hero.but thought he was a hero.

22ndnd S of the Civil War: S of the Civil War: SectionalismSectionalism Sectionalism – Sectionalism – concept in which concept in which

people in any given area think their people in any given area think their ideas and interests are correct and ideas and interests are correct and more important than those of more important than those of people in any other region.people in any other region.

For example: The north felt as if For example: The north felt as if the federal government should be the federal government should be able to pass laws for all of the able to pass laws for all of the nation’s citizens, and that only the nation’s citizens, and that only the Supreme Court could remove it.Supreme Court could remove it.

The South believed in state’s The South believed in state’s rights. This means that any law not rights. This means that any law not stated in the Constitution belonged stated in the Constitution belonged to the State and that the federal to the State and that the federal government could not take away government could not take away those rights.those rights.

This is one reason that slavery in This is one reason that slavery in new territories was fought over.new territories was fought over.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act The Kansas-Nebraska Act further widened this gap further widened this gap between the two sections. It between the two sections. It gave way for gave way for popular popular sovereignty sovereignty – the ability of a – the ability of a state or territory to decide for state or territory to decide for itself to allow slavery or not.itself to allow slavery or not.

The north felt as if this was The north felt as if this was taking away power from the taking away power from the federal government.federal government.

33rdrd S of the Civil War: Style S of the Civil War: Style Style: Style: Short for lifestyle. The Short for lifestyle. The

lifestyles of the north was very lifestyles of the north was very different from the south.different from the south.

North: Had several large cities with North: Had several large cities with museums, operas, lectures and museums, operas, lectures and theater. People might spend theater. People might spend afternoons at large dinner parties afternoons at large dinner parties or dances.or dances.

South: There were few large cities South: There were few large cities ( Charleston, Richmond, ( Charleston, Richmond, Savannah, and Augusta). People Savannah, and Augusta). People had little time for parties or dances.had little time for parties or dances.

Most free time was spent at Most free time was spent at religious revivals, quilting bees, or religious revivals, quilting bees, or hunting.hunting.

44thth S of the Civil War: Structure S of the Civil War: Structure Structure: Structure: short for class structure.short for class structure.

position one group has in relation to position one group has in relation to others.others.

In the south, social structure was In the south, social structure was very important. It was based on very important. It was based on land and slaves. It was almost land and slaves. It was almost impossible to move from one group impossible to move from one group to another.to another.

A small group of wealthy planters A small group of wealthy planters was at the top. Then the middle was at the top. Then the middle class of class of yeoman farmersyeoman farmers –small –small farmers who owned less than five farmers who owned less than five hundred acres, doctors, ministers, hundred acres, doctors, ministers, lawyers, and artisans. Next came lawyers, and artisans. Next came the poor whites who either owned the poor whites who either owned very small farms, were seasonal very small farms, were seasonal laborers or worked at low paying laborers or worked at low paying jobs.jobs.

Many of this class were referred to Many of this class were referred to as “poor white trash”.as “poor white trash”.

Last on the ladder were the slaves.Last on the ladder were the slaves. There were differences among the There were differences among the

slaves as well.slaves as well. The house slaves were higher up The house slaves were higher up

than the field slaves.than the field slaves. Free blacks were on the bottom but Free blacks were on the bottom but

seen as being above the slaves.seen as being above the slaves.

In the north, social structure was In the north, social structure was tied to wealth. It was easier for tied to wealth. It was easier for people to move up on the ladder.people to move up on the ladder.

Many people worked in industry Many people worked in industry and everyone had an opportunity to and everyone had an opportunity to go to school, travel ,and take part go to school, travel ,and take part in cultural activities.in cultural activities.

The north did not agree with the The north did not agree with the south’s social structure and south’s social structure and considered it cruel. The south was considered it cruel. The south was not ready to change.not ready to change.

55thth S: Solvency: S: Solvency: Solvency: Solvency: The ability to pay all The ability to pay all

debts.debts. Congress passed laws instituting Congress passed laws instituting

tariffs on all imported goods from tariffs on all imported goods from Great Britain. The south bought Great Britain. The south bought many goods from Great Britain, so many goods from Great Britain, so this hurt themthis hurt them

. . This was trying to force the south This was trying to force the south

to buy from the northern factories.to buy from the northern factories. In 1832, South Carolina threatened In 1832, South Carolina threatened

to secede because the tariff was to secede because the tariff was too high.too high.

Congress created a compromise, Congress created a compromise, written by Henry Clay, that reduced written by Henry Clay, that reduced the tariff over a ten year period.the tariff over a ten year period.

This pleased S. Carolina and they This pleased S. Carolina and they did not secede.did not secede.

In the Panic of 1857, (a In the Panic of 1857, (a depression), many northern depression), many northern factories went bankrupt. Most of factories went bankrupt. Most of these factories were built with these factories were built with borrowed money, so when they borrowed money, so when they went bankrupt, they could not went bankrupt, they could not repay the debt.repay the debt.

Northern representatives asked Northern representatives asked Congress to raise the tariff on all Congress to raise the tariff on all imported goods.imported goods.

The south refused to support the The south refused to support the tariffs to help the northern factories.tariffs to help the northern factories.

This caused many debates and This caused many debates and hurt feelings between the two hurt feelings between the two sides.sides.

66thth S: Secession: S: Secession: Secession -Secession - the act of pulling out the act of pulling out

of the union.of the union. Many things caused growing anger Many things caused growing anger

between the north and the south. between the north and the south. By 1861, many southerners felt By 1861, many southerners felt that the only option was to secede that the only option was to secede from the union.from the union.

Some of the differences between Some of the differences between the north and south were seen and the north and south were seen and played out in the government.played out in the government.

Many new political parties were Many new political parties were created or dismantled during this created or dismantled during this time.time.

In the 1840’s there were two main In the 1840’s there were two main parties: the Democrats and the parties: the Democrats and the Whigs.Whigs.

Democrat: were for state’s rights and Democrat: were for state’s rights and took a strong stand on slavery. took a strong stand on slavery.

Whigs: mostly members of the upper Whigs: mostly members of the upper class. They favored more help from class. They favored more help from the federal government, with some the federal government, with some favoring slavery.favoring slavery.

By 1854, a third party was created By 1854, a third party was created called the “Know-Nothing Party”. This called the “Know-Nothing Party”. This party took the stand of opposing the party took the stand of opposing the new immigrants coming into the new immigrants coming into the country.country.

Also, in 1854, the Republican Party Also, in 1854, the Republican Party was formed from anti-slavery Whigs was formed from anti-slavery Whigs and Democrats. This party took the and Democrats. This party took the stand of opposing the spread of stand of opposing the spread of slavery.slavery.

The Whig party was dissolved with the The Whig party was dissolved with the creation of the Republican party.creation of the Republican party.

The South quickly became seen as The South quickly became seen as majority Democrat and the north being majority Democrat and the north being Republican.Republican.

In 1858 Democrat Stephen In 1858 Democrat Stephen Douglas and newcomer Abraham Douglas and newcomer Abraham Lincoln were both in the running for Lincoln were both in the running for the Senate. Stephen Douglas was the Senate. Stephen Douglas was seen as a likely candidate for seen as a likely candidate for President in the 1860 election.President in the 1860 election.

Douglas disliked slavery, but Douglas disliked slavery, but thought that the controversy thought that the controversy interfered with the nation. He interfered with the nation. He believed that popular sovereignty believed that popular sovereignty would solve the matter.would solve the matter.

Lincoln was a lawyer from Illinois Lincoln was a lawyer from Illinois that was unknown.that was unknown.

He saw slavery as morally wrong, He saw slavery as morally wrong, but thought that ending it where it but thought that ending it where it already existed was almost already existed was almost impossible. He did want to stop impossible. He did want to stop the spread of it to other areas.the spread of it to other areas.

Lincoln challenged Douglas to Lincoln challenged Douglas to seven different debates where the seven different debates where the main topic was slavery.main topic was slavery.

Lincoln warned the nation that the Lincoln warned the nation that the issue of slavery would inevitably bring issue of slavery would inevitably bring the dissolution of the union.the dissolution of the union.

Douglas accused Lincoln of Douglas accused Lincoln of contributing to the breakup of the contributing to the breakup of the union.union.

Lincoln challenged Douglas on his Lincoln challenged Douglas on his popular sovereignty stand. Douglas’ popular sovereignty stand. Douglas’ response became known as the response became known as the Freeport Doctorine. This lost Douglas Freeport Doctorine. This lost Douglas support of slaveholders.support of slaveholders.

The election of 1860 became a The election of 1860 became a very hot topic across the nation.very hot topic across the nation.

The Democrats met to choose the The Democrats met to choose the presidential candidate with the presidential candidate with the northern Democrats wanting northern Democrats wanting Stephen Douglas, but southern Stephen Douglas, but southern Democrats wanting someone to Democrats wanting someone to protect slavery in the territories. protect slavery in the territories. The southern Democrats walked The southern Democrats walked out.out.

The two sides met again and the The two sides met again and the southern Dem. Walked out again. southern Dem. Walked out again. The northern Dem. Nominated The northern Dem. Nominated Douglas and endorsed popular Douglas and endorsed popular sovereignty.sovereignty.

Southern Dem. met in Richmond Southern Dem. met in Richmond and chose John Breckinridge, the and chose John Breckinridge, the current vice President as their current vice President as their choice. The chose the position that choice. The chose the position that no one could stop citizens from no one could stop citizens from taking slaves into a territory.taking slaves into a territory.

The Republican Party chose The Republican Party chose Abraham Lincoln as their Abraham Lincoln as their candidate. They chose the position candidate. They chose the position of “legal existence of slavery in any of “legal existence of slavery in any Territory”Territory”

A fourth party was formed called A fourth party was formed called the Constitutional Union Party. the Constitutional Union Party. They nominated John Bell. They They nominated John Bell. They took no position on slavery.took no position on slavery.

Southerners feared that a Republican Southerners feared that a Republican victory would encourage radicals like victory would encourage radicals like John Brown to try and free slaves.John Brown to try and free slaves.

With the Democrats divided, Lincoln With the Democrats divided, Lincoln won the election easily.won the election easily.

Even though Lincoln and the Even though Lincoln and the Republican party promised to leave Republican party promised to leave slavery alone in the areas that it slavery alone in the areas that it existed, the southerners did not trust existed, the southerners did not trust them. them.

On Dec. 20, 1860, South Carolina On Dec. 20, 1860, South Carolina held a special convention and held a special convention and voted to secede from the union.voted to secede from the union.

Leaders in Washington D.C. Leaders in Washington D.C. worked to try and create a worked to try and create a compromise.compromise.

Senator John Critenden proposed Senator John Critenden proposed a series of amendments to the a series of amendments to the Constitution. The main point said Constitution. The main point said that slavery would be protected that slavery would be protected below the 36 degree lat. Line.below the 36 degree lat. Line.

Lincoln and Republicans would not Lincoln and Republicans would not accept this. They stated that they accept this. They stated that they won the election based on the fact won the election based on the fact that no more territories would enter that no more territories would enter as slave states, so they would not as slave states, so they would not give in now.give in now.

Southern leaders felt doomed and Southern leaders felt doomed and stated “We split on every plan to stated “We split on every plan to compromise,” “No human power compromise,” “No human power can save the Union.”can save the Union.”

Most Georgians supported S. Most Georgians supported S. Carolina’s seccession.Carolina’s seccession.

On January 16, 1861, Governor On January 16, 1861, Governor Brown requested a special Brown requested a special meeting.meeting.

208 of the 297 delegates voted to 208 of the 297 delegates voted to leave the Union.leave the Union.

On January 19, 1861, Georgia On January 19, 1861, Georgia officially declared an independent officially declared an independent republic.republic.

By February 1861, Florida, Alabama, By February 1861, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas had Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas had voted to secede.voted to secede.

On February 4, 1861, delegates from On February 4, 1861, delegates from each of these states met and formed a each of these states met and formed a new nation called the Confederate new nation called the Confederate States of America.States of America.

Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was elected President, and Robert Toombs elected President, and Robert Toombs of Ga. The secretary of State. of Ga. The secretary of State. Alexander Stephens of GA was named Alexander Stephens of GA was named Vice President.Vice President.

Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis

Alexander StephensAlexander Stephens

Antebellum GeorgiaAntebellum Georgia

Agriculture: By 1860 there were Agriculture: By 1860 there were 68,000 farms in GA.68,000 farms in GA.

Produced 700,000 bales of cotton Produced 700,000 bales of cotton in 1860.in 1860.

Only 3,500 farms were of 500 Only 3,500 farms were of 500 acres or more.acres or more.

Only 236 Georgians owned more Only 236 Georgians owned more than 100 slaves and 60 percent than 100 slaves and 60 percent had no slaves at all.had no slaves at all.

Transportation: traveled mostly on Transportation: traveled mostly on horseback or horse-drawn vehicles horseback or horse-drawn vehicles on dirt roads.on dirt roads.

The many rivers helped to transport The many rivers helped to transport goods throughout the state.goods throughout the state.

In 1825, the first railroad engine In 1825, the first railroad engine was built in England.was built in England.

By 1833 a railroad line ran from By 1833 a railroad line ran from Charleston, South Carolina to Charleston, South Carolina to Augusta. In 1843 a line went from Augusta. In 1843 a line went from Savannah to Macon.Savannah to Macon.

Another line was created to Another line was created to connect the Chattahoochee River connect the Chattahoochee River to Atlanta and Chattanooga.to Atlanta and Chattanooga.

By 1860, there were 1, 226 miles of By 1860, there were 1, 226 miles of railroad tracks in the state.railroad tracks in the state.

Education: Most Georgians had Education: Most Georgians had little education.little education.

Some wealthy planters sent sons Some wealthy planters sent sons to private academies or had tutors.to private academies or had tutors.

Old Field Schools were built in Old Field Schools were built in abandoned fields by some abandoned fields by some communities.communities.

These schools had few books and These schools had few books and supplies and most only attended 2-supplies and most only attended 2-3 years to learn basic reading, 3 years to learn basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.writing, and arithmetic.

In 1820 about 20 percent of whites In 1820 about 20 percent of whites in GA could not read or write.in GA could not read or write.

In 1858, the state set aside In 1858, the state set aside $100,000 for free schools, but war $100,000 for free schools, but war started and this was put aside.started and this was put aside.

Religion: In the south, GA was 2Religion: In the south, GA was 2ndnd only to Virginia in number of only to Virginia in number of churches.churches.

Methodists and Baptists continued Methodists and Baptists continued to have more members than any to have more members than any other group.other group.

GA politics: In 1840’s there were GA politics: In 1840’s there were two parties: Whigs and Democrats.two parties: Whigs and Democrats.

In 1857, Democrat Joseph E. In 1857, Democrat Joseph E. Brown was elected governor of GABrown was elected governor of GA

He remained governor through the He remained governor through the Civil War.Civil War.

The town of Terminus became the The town of Terminus became the city of Atlanta before the Civil War.city of Atlanta before the Civil War.

The state capitol was located in The state capitol was located in Milledgeville.Milledgeville.