Download Due day 7 Final Project: Historical Timeline and Essay Final Project

Due day 7 Final Project: Historical Timeline and Essay
Final Project: Historical Timeline and Essay
Name Goes Here
Axia College of University of Phoenix
HIS/115
Timeline of Events that Began the Civil War
Events that led to the Beginning of the Civil War
As it was one of the most devastating events in history, the American Civil War would
change the lives of Americans forever. No one knows the war's primary cause – instead, a series
of political, social, and economic factors came together to eventually cause the war. One focal
point of the discussion of The War Between the States is slavery. This was not the principle
cause, but it was a point of great significance to both the North and South. The main factors that
led to the war tend to draw attention to the economic differences between the North and South.
The timeline above illustrates various political, social, and economic events that affected
America and helped contribute to the Civil War. The following will, further, explain how a few
of these events were significant causes of the Civil War, and will also explore how they helped to
change the future of America.
1787 - The Northwest Ordinance
When it was passed in 1787, The Northwest Ordinance included a provision that
outlawed slavery throughout the new territory (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The Northwest Ordinance
also stated that a legislature must be approved by the governor once the adult male population of
the territory reached 5,000, and after that population exceeded 60,000 the territory must apply for
statehood (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The Ordinance further outlines the principles of the people's
basic rights. These rights were the right to a trial by jury, the right to freedom of religion, and the
right to public education (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The tension caused by congress's decision to
outlaw slavery throughout the new territory, though, was unexpected.
This issue began when congress acted to prevent the spread of slavery into the Northern
states. This action fueled existing social and economic tensions between the North and South.
The South believed that their economy would be devastated if they lost slavery, while the
Northern states prohibited slaves from being imported (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The number of
abolitionist groups also increased at this time. Because of these and other factors, the South
began to vigorously defend their right to own slaves, while the North sought to abolish slavery.
This tension led to conflicts over the new territories (Davidson, et. al. 2006).
1846 - The Mexican War
Texas's 1845 admittance into the Union as a slave state led to the Mexican War
(Davidson, et. al. 2006). Tensions rose because Mexico did not accept the boundaries of Texas,
and believed that America had invaded Mexican territory (Davidson, et. al. 2006). Because of
this, American and Mexican forces fought over this territory. American forces wore down
Mexican resistance and eventually won. At the same time, Taylor won various battles and
pushed into the South, which resulted in the war ending in Northern territory (Davidson, et. al.
2006). Since the Mexican people typically refused to support the government, however, much
controversy arose (Davidson, et. al. 2006).
After General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City on September 14, 1847, Mexico
surrendered (Davidson, et. al. 2006). Even though Mexico surrendered, American victory was
neither cheap nor easy; rather this war was costly for the Americans. While over 13,000
American lives were lost in the Mexican War, the war's greatest cost was that it brought to light
and inflamed social and political conflicts between the northern and southern states (Davidson,
et. al. 2006). The issue of slavery reared its head again as the Union admitted the two new
territories (Davidson, et. al. 2006). Southerners believed that it was their right to bring slavery
into the new territories, and were outraged when this was prohibited. This issue raised conflicts
between the North and South, including the sectional crisis, and led up to the Civil War
(Davidson, et. al. 2006).
1850 – The Fugitive Slave Law
As this social and economic battle raged, the sectional crisis occurred. To attempt to
alleviate these sectional tensions, the Compromise of 1850 was drafted (Davidson, et. al. 2006).
The controversial Fugitive Slave Law, though, came from his compromise. The Fugitive Slave
Law drew most of its controversy because it changed the basic rights defined in 1787 by the
Northwest Ordinance (Davidson, et. al. 2006). In particular, the Fugitive Slave Law denied the
runaway slave the right to a jury trial (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The Fugitive Slave Law also made
aiding an escaping slave into a federal crime. Instead of helping a slave escape, a citizen must
aid law enforcement in their capture. (Davidson, et. al. 2006).
Much of the North could not accept this new law, and this led to an upswing in antislavery activities by the abolitionist movement. Since no one wanted to bear the political
consequences of interfering with the Compromise, the issue of slavery continued to fester
(Davidson, et. al. 2006). Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was inspired by the
consequences and repercussions of the Fugitive Slave Law (Davidson, et. al. 2006). This book
significantly impacted the Union's opinion of slavery as it described the various issues brought
up by the Fugitive Slave Law. During this volatile time, the economy of the South continyed to
rely heavily on slaves and the production of cotton, while the North industrialized (Davidson, et.
al. 2006). This changing economic base ensured continued conflicts between the two.
1854 – Kansas-Nebraska Act
On May 30, 1854, The Kansas-Nebraska Act was finally passed after it had been voted
down several times (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The Act's provisions and the principle of popular
sovereignty allowed both Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to maintain slavery
within their borders (Davidson, et. al. 2006). Since the 1820 Missouri Compromise explicitly
prohibited slavery in this area of the Louisiana Purchase, conflicts were bound to arise. When
the Kansas-Nebraska Act was signed, it caused the Compromise of 1820 to be repealed
(Davidson, et. al. 2006). This law caused already simmering social and economic tensions
between North and South to come to a great furor.
Violence then erupted between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, earning this region the
popular nickname “Bleeding Kansas” (Davidson, et. al. 2006). Kansas did not become a state
while these pro and anti-slavery conflicts were occurring, but it was instead accepted into the
union as a free state in 1861, just prior to the Civil War.(Davidson, et. al. 2006). John Brown's
1859 raid at Harpers Ferry was a direct result of this abrupt violence between pro-slavery and
abolitionist forces (Davidson, et. al. 2006).
President Abraham Lincoln's election on November 6, 1860, was a pivotal manifestation
of these mounting tensions between the North and South (Davidson, et. al. 2006). The South
saw President Lincoln as anti-southern, and they thought that he stood against every issue that
the South believed in. Lincoln's election made the South feel so disenfranchised that “[s]ecession
seemed the only alternative to protect Southern equality and liberty” (Davidson, et. al. 2006, p.
418). The South hoped that this succession would create the Confederate States. The North, not
surprisingly, disagreed with this action and believed that succession was unconstitutional.
(Davidson, et. al. 2006). The years of increasing heated conflict over slavery between North and
South had come to a boiling point. War was unavoidable over this issue, as legislation had
proved unable to resolve the slavery question. The Civil War began in 1861 with the attack on
Fort Sumter.
References:
Davidson, J., Gienapp, W., Heyrman, C., Lytle, M., & Stoff, M. (2006). Nation of nations: A
concise narrative of the American Republic (4th ed. Vols. 1, 2, and Combined). Boston:
McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-297087-1.
Final Feedback Included:
Content and Development
180 Points
Points Earned
170/180
Additional Comments:
All key elements of the assignment are
The timeline was good, it had the correct number
covered in a substantive way.
of events, and contained the proper
information.

Timeline
o Includes 10 to 15 significant
The essay took the correct number of
events, factors, or changes in
events, gave a description, and explained
society that fueled conflict
why they were significant, but just
between the North and the
needed to be a little stronger on why they
South.
were more important than the
o Includes the year and a name,
other events in the timeline.
title, or heading of the event,
factor, or change.
o Includes a brief description of
The essay was the correct
the event, factor, or change.
length.

Essay
o Explains the timeline and the
The paper was accurate, and
significance of 4 to 6 of the
the points were stated clearly.
historical events, factors, or
changes included in the
timeline.
There was a good
o Includes a detailed description
introduction, and a conclusion
of each of the 4 to 6
wrapping up the paper.
selections.
o Explains why the selections
were significant to the
manifestation of the Civil War.
o Explains the relationship among
the selections.
o Describes how each selection
impacted the country,
politically, socially, or
economically.
o Describes how the selections
demonstrated how historical
events shape the future.
o The essay is 1,050 to 1,400 words in
length.
The content is comprehensive, accurate, and
persuasive.
The paper develops a central theme or idea
directed toward the appropriate
audience.
The paper links theory to relevant examples
and uses the vocabulary of the theory
correctly.
Major points are stated clearly; are supported
by specific details, examples, or
analysis; and are organized logically.
The introduction provides sufficient
background on the topic and previews
major points.
The conclusion is logical, flows from the body
of the paper, and reviews the major
points.
Readability and Style
35 Points
Points Earned
35/35
Additional Comments:
Paragraph transitions are present, logical, and
Transitions were good, and the sentences
maintain the flow throughout the paper.
were clear and concise.
The tone is appropriate to the content and
assignment.
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
Sentences are well constructed, strong, and
varied.
Sentence transitions are present and maintain
the flow of thought.
Mechanics
35 Points
Points Earned
35/35
Additional Comments:
The paper—including the title page, reference
APA formatting was followed.
page, tables, and appendixes—follows
APA formatting guidelines.
The paper was laid out effectively.
Spelling and grammar were correct.
Citations of original works within the body of the
paper follow APA guidelines.
The paper is laid out with effective use of
headings, font styles, and white space.
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are
followed.
Spelling is correct.
Total
250 Points
Points Earned
240/250
Overall Comments:
This was a good job, and a great way to end
the course.
Please let me know if you have
any questions.