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The Civil War. U.S . History. What is a “civil war?” Any war in which two or more sides from the same country are fighting one another. America in the mid-1800’s. In the North- busy cities, factories, paid workers. Most abolitionists were Northerners.
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The Civil War U.S. History
What is a “civil war?” • Any war in which two or more sides from the same country are fighting one another.
America in the mid-1800’s • In the North- busy cities, factories, paid workers. • Most abolitionists were Northerners. • Many Northerners viewed blacks as inferior and had no strong opinion about slavery. • In the South- agriculture (farming), cotton, slave labor. • Southerners needed slavery to maintain their way of life. • Viewed slavery as good, intended by God. • America was expanding westward beyond the Mississippi river…would slavery spread into these new territories? • This question would come to the forefront of American politics.
Events Leading Up to the Civil War • Missouri Compromise (1820) • Missouri enters as a slave state, Maine as a free state…no slavery above 3630’N in Louisiana terr. • Compromise of 1850 • Cali. Is free, popular sovereignty applied to Mex. terr. • Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) • Kansas is slave state, Nebraska is free…what about the MC? • “Bleeding Kansas” (1854-56) • Pro and anti-slavery settlers (John Brown) moved to new territory to sway the balance….eventually violence broke out. • Dred Scott Decision (1857) • Supreme court rules that slaves are property, not citizens. • John Brown at Harper’s Ferry (1859) • Abolitionist John Brown attempts to lead a revolt to end slavery…Brown was captured and hanged. Fears deepened.
The Election of 1860 • Four way race for President: • Abe Lincoln, Republican, Illinois • No slavery in new territories (doesn’t promise to end it though) • Steven Douglas, Northern Democrat, Illinois • Popular Sovereignty • John Bell, Cons, Unionist, Tennessee • Federal govt. must defend slavery and Union • John Breckenridge, Southern Democrat, Kentucky • Federal govt. must defend and expand slavery
Causes of the Civil War • After the election of Lincoln in 1860, Southerners no longer felt they had a voice. • Led by South Carolina, Southern states began to secede from the Union. • In Feb. of 1861, the Confederate States of America was established. • Constitution is written (protects slavery, states rights) • Jefferson Davis elected President of CSA • When Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4th, 1861, he made two things clear… • No intent to interfere with slavery where it already existed. • He would not allow any state to leave the Union.
Civil War Basics • Lasted from 1861-1865 • North had huge advantages in men, factories, transportation, strong central govt. • South had better generals (Lee, Jackson) but fewer resources and a weak central govt. • The war began with major victories for the C.S.A. but Gettysburg (1863) was a turning point for the North. • Lee surrendered at Appomattox in April of 1865.
The Emancipation Proclamation • In late 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in all states “in rebellion” • This included the states of LA, AL, MS, GA, NC, SC, FL, & VA. • It did not apply to loyal border states. • Not a slave was actually freed at this time, but it did shift the focus of the war to ending slavery.
Outcomes of the Civil War • The North and South are reunited into one Union. • Slavery ends throughout the country. • Union deaths-360,000 • Confederate deaths- 260,000