Ch. 15 Georgia and the Civil War

1. Ch. 15Georgia and the Civil War

2. Key Events Leading Up to the Civil War • Slavery • The South’s dependent on cotton as a result of the invention of the cotton gin, led the South to also be dependent on slavery to harvest the cotton. • Even though some southerners disagreed with slavery, people in the south realized that the South’s economy would be decimated without the production of cotton which was the basis for the southern economy • Northerners such as Frederick Douglas, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe called for the abolishment of slavery within all borders of the United States. • Stowe wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” which brought to light the harsh realities of slavery that many did not realize.

3. States’ Rights • The amount of power held by the federal government in making decisions versus the amount of power held by the states for making decisions. • The southern states believed it was their right to have slavery under states’ rights. The northerners disagreed. • The New England states looked at seceding during the War of 1812 because they felt it was their right to trade with England regardless of the war that had taken place (Amer. Rev. War)

4. Nullification Crisis • Dispute over tariffs (taxes) • North wanted high tariffs on their goods produced in their manufacturing plants to off set the money they lost from lack of trade with England. • The South was opposed to the tariff because it decreased the amount of profits to cotton farmers. • South Carolina threatened to leave the union again when the House of Reps in Congress (which was controlled by northerners) voted to continue with the tariff. • Andrew Jackson stepped in and threatened to attack SC if they attempted to leave the union. SC acquiesced.

5. States’ Rights in Georgia • Worcester v. Georgia • It became very evident that while the federal government could mandate laws, if the states didn’t back those laws, there was very little the federal government could do about it, and therefore the states could do as they pleased.

6. The Missouri Compromise • Agreement between the northern and southern states allowing Missouri to enter the union and became part of the United States. • The North was concerned about the expansion of slavery into the new territory which would give the slave states a majority vote in the Senate. • As a compromise, Missouri was admitted as a slave state, and Maine was admitted as free state. • The Missouri Compromise paved the way for the next 30 years for two states to be admitted to the union at a time, one being a slave state and the other a free state.

7. The Compromise of 1850 • As a result of gold being found in California, the population reached a number to allow the territory to apply for statehood. • However, California was applying as a free state, but there was no slave state to admit at the same time. • Northern and Southern states began to fight again because if CA was admitted by itself as a free state, the northern states would have a majority vote and therefore more power in Congress. • Two key provisions under the Compromise of 1850 • California was admitted a free state • The North agreed to pass the Fugitive Slave Act • Stipulated that any slaves discovered/caught in the North would be shipped back to their owners in the south.

8. Georgia platform • Wanted balance of power in Congress • Howell Cobb, Alexander Stephens, and Robert Toombs • Accepted the measures of the Compromise of 1850 • if the North complied with the Fugitive Slave Act • If the North no longer attempt to ban the expansion of slavery into new territories and states • GA given credit for preserving the Union (at this time)

9. Kansas-Nebraska Act • 1854 – 1858 • (Stephen Douglas) – Popular Sovereignty– Repealed MO compromise. Issue: Can KS allow slavery • Problem: People moved between states to sway the results of the election • Proslavery vs. free soilers • Personal attacks, burnings, shootings • 56 people killed • Bleeding Kansas (Mini-Civil War) KS voted to be a slave state but rejected into Union – finally admitted as a free state

10. Extra Raid on Harper’s Ferry • Oct. 16, 1859 • John Brown (abolitionist) • Attacked the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry • Tried to arm slaves with weapons • Attempt Failed = hanged • N: Brown = martyr • S: Satisfied w/sentence • Didn’t want to see slaves armed in any way to defend themselves • Increased tension for anti-slavery vs. proslavery: Brown’s death was a huge inspiration for civil war

11. Dred Scott Decision • 1857 • Dred Scott (slave) - lived in free territory (9yrs) • Sued Missouri – Since lived in Free State should now be a free person. • The final ruling by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney: • Slaves and free blacks were not citizens (could not sue) • Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in territories • Enraged abolitionists but pleased slave holders

12. Election of 1860 • Abraham Lincoln (R), Stephen Douglas (ND), John Bell (CUP), John Breckinridge (SD) • Rep: Supported tariff, Western Expansion, Transcontinental railroad, Prevent expansion of Slavery • Dem: Supported popular sovereignty and slavery • Constitutional Union Party: Lincoln won • Without his name on most Southern Ballots • 180 Electoral votes • Secession became a REAL threat

13. *Georgia’s Secession debate* NO: Northern counties, small farmer, non-slave owners, Alexander Stephens YES: Large farmers, slave holders, Gov. Brown, R. Toombs 3 Day Debate = Final vote: 208 to 89 in favor of secession GA Seceded: (January 16, 1861) Alexander Stephens become VP of the Confederate States of America. ***Even Strong men can change their minds!!  Order of secession: SC, MS, FL, AL, GA, LA, TX

14. Alexander Stephens(1812 – 1883) • Born in Crawfordville - orphaned • Graduated from Franklin College (UGA) – Law degree • Georgia Assembly – Whig party (later Dem) • US Congress – advocate for slavery but resisted secession • Major roll: Compromise of 1850 and Kansas – Nebraska Act • Signed the “Ordinance of Secession” became rep to CSA • VP of the CSA – Brilliant Statesman but No military experience • Jailed after war – (Boston) 5 mths • US Senator from GA but not allowed to take office • Writer • US House of Representatives • Governor of GA – Died in office • Buried at his Crawfordville home • Liberty Hall (State Park) • Stephens County in north Georgia is named for him • Often ill, much of life in wheelchair – seldom more than 95 lbs • Never married, no children • Slave owner – most stayed w/him war w/little or no payment • Best known orator of his time – (Corner Stone Speech- ec)

15. Economic Differences: NORTH: SOUTH: Agriculture Self-Sufficient People expected little from government Against Tariffs • Industry and cities • Interdependence • People expected a lot from government • Supported Tariffs