Download Cause and Effect of the Civil War

Cause and Effect of
the Civil War
Background
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Less than 30 years after the Nullification
Crisis
Bloodiest war on American Soil
Several causes including the disagreement
over states’ rights.
Sectionalism
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1800’s - each section
of the country had
developed its own
unique characteristics
These differences led
to “sectionalism”
Loyalty to their region
(North, South or West)
Slavery
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Most explosive issue
Abolitionists – wanted
to end slavery
Frederick Douglas
(former slave)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
written by Harriet
Beecher Stowe
Moral outrage
Pro Slavery argued
slaves were treated
better than northern
factory workers
Extension of Slavery to the New
Territories
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Acquisition of new western territories posed the
problem of whether to extend slavery
North and South were both worried they would
lose strength in the senate
1820 – 1850 - Compromises kept the nation
united
Kansas – Nebraska Act – popular sovereinty
Dred Scott v Sanford – Congress could not stop
slavery
The Issue of States Rights
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Many southerners believed each state had
the power to leave the union
Northerners argued that the Constitution
was the work of the American people , and
that states could not leave the union
The Election of Lincoln
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Lincoln – republican
Opposed the extension of slavery in the
new territories
Election of 1860 – several states seceded
(withdrew)
Confederate States of America was formed
Lincoln refused to recognized their
secession
The Civil War
And ITS AFTERMATH
1861 - 1877
Summary
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War began with an attack by Confederate
forces on Ft Sumter, Charleston, South
Carolina
South won most battles in the early years
1863 , the momentum shifted to the Union
side, with its larger population, industrial
power and superior navy.
Emancipation Proclamation
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1862- Lincoln announced that all slaves in
rebelling states would be free
This gave new moral purpose to the war
Unclear as to whether Lincoln had the
constitutional power
Congress later proposed the 13th
Amendment which abolished slavery.
The Reconstruction
Period
Background
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Peace: Appomattox Courthouse - April
1865
States rights issue settled
Confirmed the Supremacy of Federal Law
Reconstruction Period: period after the Civil
War when the South was in ruins
Amendments to the Constitution
 Three
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To be readmitted into the union, each of the
former Confederate states had to approve
these amendments.
Thirteenth Amendment ( 1865)
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FREE
Abolished slavery throughout the United
States
Did not provide the slaves anything else
Fourteenth Amendment 1868
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Citizen
Guaranteed all citizens of the US including
former slaves, civil rights and equality from
state governments
Guarantees the Bill of Rights
Fifteenth Amendment 1870
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Vote
Guaranteed Voting rights to former slaves
Did not apply to women
State governments found ways around this
amendment until the 1960’s
Epilogue
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Reconstruction ended when Northern
troops withdrew from the South in 1877