Unit 7- Pre-Civil War/Causes of the Civil War

The Missouri Compromise (1820)

This compromise was created by Henry Clay to smooth over divisions between the North and South when Missouri applied to the Union as a slave states. The North did not want slavery to extend while the South supported the extension of slavery. The compromised proposed that Missouri be entered in as a slave state and that Maine be entered in as a free state. This also divided the rest of the Louisiana Territory at the 36⁰30' parallel. Anything above the 36⁰30' line would be entered into the Union as a free state and anything below the 36⁰30' would be a slave state. Northerners were pleased that more land was closed to slavery. Southerners were pleased because they did not believe slavery would expand North of the 36⁰30' parallel.

Sectionalism

The devotion to a section's interests or loyalty to a region. Increased tensions between the North and South over political and economic issues caused an increase in sectionalism.

The Wilmot Proviso

David Wilmot (Democrat - Pennsylvania) added this provision to a bill which would ban slavery in the Mexican Cession. It passed in the house but not the Senate. Southerners were outraged because by this provision because it violated their states' rights.

John C. Calhoun

Senator from South Carolina who adamantly defended the issues of slavery and states' rights. He created the "Doctrine of the South" and says that enslaved peoples were property and that the 5th Amendment protected a person's property. Taking away slavery in the territories was a violation of citizen's 5th amendment rights.

States' Rights

The idea that states had rights to protect the rights of their citizens. Southern states used to protect their citizens right to own property (the right to steal the labor of enslaved peoples and hold them in bondage).

Popular Sovereignty

Power of the people through their ability to vote. A moderate view to prevent the grown division between the North and South over the extension of slavery in the territories was to have the people living in that territory to decided by voting whether or not they wanted to be a free or slave state.

The Free-Soil Party

A new political party made up of former Whigs and Democrats who were unhappy with their original party. They wanted to end the extension of slavery into the territories. They did not support equality and wanted to keep the west free of all black people (free and enslaved peoples). They did not want black labor to compete with white labor.

Death of the Whig Party

The Whig Party grew unpopular because did little to prevent slavery and its extension into the territories. The Whig Party started to lose support to other parties like the Free-Soil Party and the Republican Party.

The Compromise of 1850

Henry Clay made a final attempt to smooth the divisions between the North and South over the extension of slavery into the territories. Originally proposed by Henry Clay this compromised proposed several resolutions. 1) California be entered in a free state, 2) Land gained from Mexico would use popular sovereignty to determine slavery, 3) Texas would cede some of its land to the New Mexico Territory, 4) The federal government would take Texas's debts, 5) The slave trade would be outlawed in Washington D.C. but slavery would still be legal, 6) A stricter fugitive slave act would be passed. John C. Calhoun and President Taylor opposed the Compromise. Stephen A. Douglas was able to pass the compromise by introducing each provision as its own bill. Also, Calhoun and Taylor died ended their opposition. President Fillmore approved of the compromise and passed it.

The Fugitive Slave Act (1850)

This act of Congress would strengthen the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. This act said that runaway enslaved people must be returned to their enslavers. This meant that slave catchers could ride into the North to capture self-emancipated enslaved peoples. A slave catcher only needed to have a note from the enslaver in order to accuse an African American of being a self-liberated enslaved person. Accused peoples were forbidden from testifying in court. Federal commissioners who heard the cases were given a monetary incentive of $10 if an accused person was found to be an enslaved person, but only $5 dollars if an accused person was not found to be an enslaved person. This act also made it a criminal offense to prevent the capture of enslaved peoples or aide them in running away. A person caught helping a self-emancipated enslaved person could face 6 months in jail and/or $1000 fine. Enslaved peoples had to reach to Mexico or Canada to be free after the passage of this act.

Slavery in Urban Areas

Enslaved peoples in urban areas often worked as domestic servants. Others were taught trades like bricklaying and carpentry. Enslaved peoples were often rented out by their enslavers to others. These enslaved peoples had to give their wages to their enslavers. Enslaved peoples in urban areas often experienced slightly more freedom than an enslaved person living on a plantation.

Slavery on Plantations

Enslaved peoples living on a plantation worked as field hands or domestic servants. Most plantation enslaved peoples were field hands. On cotton plantations the gang system was used. Other plantations used the task system where slaves were given specific tasks to complete.

Slave Codes

A series of laws passed by Southern states to further limit free black people and enslaved peoples. Codes varied from state to state. Some laws banned black people from owning guns, drinking alcohol, and prohibited them from meeting in large groups. Others required free black people to carry papers in order to travel. These laws also prevented the marriage or relationships between black men and white women.

Slave Holders in the South

Most families in the South did not own any enslaved peoples. In 1850, 69% of families owned no enslaved peoples. 27.4% of families owned 2 - 19 enslaved peoples. 3.2% owned 20 - 99 enslaved people. 0.15% owned 100 or more enslaved peoples.

Southern Justification of Slavery

Southerners often justified slavery by saying that enslavers treated their enslaved peoples better than Northern factory workers. This was untrue. Rape by the enslaver or white overseers, forced pregnancies', separation of families, brutal beatings and physical punishments, and murder of enslaved people were common practice. They also encouraged enslaved peoples to adopt Christianity and western ways. Southerners frequently compared their society to Ancient Greece and Rome who both allowed slave labor.

The Underground Railroad

An informal system of houses created by abolitionists groups to help enslaved peoples self-liberate and leave the South. These groups often used railroad terms in order to talk about their activities in the open. Houses were called "stations" and guides were called "conductors". It was NOT a railroad or underground. Some houses in Hillsborough were part of the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman

The most famous "conductor" of the Underground Railroad. She risked her life to return to the South to lead enslaved peoples to their freedom. "Conductors" like Harriet Tubman would teach enslaved peoples songs like "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and tricks to help them get to the North.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

A bestselling book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe about slavery. The book was filled with racial stereotypes of enslaved peoples. It was a powerful abolitionist tools and helped to changed the Northern perception of slavery. More people began to support the abolitionist cause. Southerns accused the book of distortions and falsehoods of slavery. When Abraham Lincoln met Harriet Beecher Stowe he said, "So this is the little lady who started this great war."

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Stephen A. Douglas wanted the Transcontinental Railroad to start in his home state of Illinois at Chicago. To gain southern support he proposed a bill to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and divide the remaining Louisiana Territory into two territories, Kansas and Nebraska. This act would also allow the people of each territory to use popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery. Northerners were outraged and called Douglas a traitor. Southerners supported this plan because it opened up previously close territory to slavery.

Stephen A. Douglas

Democratic Senator from Illinois. He was nicknamed the "Little Giant" for his passionate speaking. He gained fame when he was able to pass the Compromise of 1850 through Congress. He did not believe that slavery was morally wrong but did believe that it was economically backwards. He created the Kansas-Nebraska Act to repeal the Missouri Compromise and supported the use of popular sovereignty in the territories. He also created the Freeport Doctrine.

Border Ruffians

Missourians who illegally voted in Kansas to help elect a pro-slavery government.

"Bleeding Kansas"

After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed people began to rush into the Kansas territory to ensure that it became a free or slave state. Abolitionists and pro-slavery supporters both set up towns for their cause. This led to the first signs of violence and civil war over the issue of slavery. The event started when pro-slavery people attacked the anti-slavery town of Lawrence. John Brown led anti-slavery supporters to massacre pro-slavery people at Pottawatomie Creek. 200 people were killed during "Bleeding Kansas." The violence spilled into Congress when Charles Sumner was caned.

The Caning of Charles Sumner

Senator Charles Sumner was beaten by Representative Preston Brooks with a cane after Sumner insulted Brooks's second cousin, Senator Andrew Butler. Sumner's speech "The Crimes Against Kansas," said that Andrew Butler had taken slavery as his mistress. Northerners were outraged. Southerners cheered this event and sent Brooks new canes. Sumner suffered brain damage but later returned to Congress.

John Brown

A radical abolitionist who believed that he was the next Moses sent by God to free enslaved peoples. He helped to increase violence during "Bleeding Kansas" by massacring pro-slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek. He tried to cause a rebellion of enslaved peoples at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He was captured and hanged. The North view John Brown as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. The South viewed John Brown as a terrorist and a representation of bloodthirsty abolitionists willing to murder enslavers.

The Republican Party

This party was started by members of the former Whig party, Free-Soil Party, Northern Know-Nothings, and antislavery Democrats. Horace Greeley was one of the leading founders. Their major platforms included a transcontinental railroad, higher tariffs, a new homestead law, and to prevent the extension of slavery in the territories. They did not have an official stance on ending slavery in the states.

Election of 1856

This election was Republican John C. Fremont, Democrat James Buchanan, and American Party Millard Fillmore. The South threatened to cede the Union if Fremont was elected president. James Buchanan had solid support int he North and South. This election was the first that included the issue of slavery as a major platform for presidential candidates.

James Buchanan

President from 1856 - 1861. He encourage the North to give concessions to the South and said that the Supreme Court should decide the issue of slavery in the the territories. Once the South seceded he did nothing. He believed that it was unconstitutional for the South to secede but that it was also unconstitutional for him to do anything about it. He commented to Lincoln was, "Sir, if you are as happy in entering the White House as I shall feel on returning to Wheatland, you are a happy man indeed."

Dred Scott v. Sandford

A landmark United States Supreme Court. Dred Scott was an enslaved person who had been brought by his Missouri enslaver to a free territory to live and then brought back to Missouri. Dred Scott sued to end his slavery saying that the time he spend in a free territory made him a free man. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, strongly supported states rights and the South. His court ruled that blacks were NOT citizens of the United States therefore they had no rights and could not sue. Also the court said that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories and that the Missouri Compromise of 1820's 36⁰30' line was unconstitutional.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

In 1858, Republicans selected Abraham Lincoln to run against Senator Stephen A. Douglas for Illinois Senate. Lincoln was relatively unknown and challenged Douglas to a series of open air debates. Lincoln believed slavery to be morally wrong and that it was necessary for there to be legislation to end slavery in the territories. Douglas supported popular sovereignty. Lincoln challenged Douglas at Freeport, Illinois causing Douglas to formulate the Freeport Doctrine. Douglas won reelection over Lincoln for Senate. While Lincoln lost the Senate seat the Republican Party began to view him as their next presidential candidate.

Freeport Doctrine

Stated that people living in a territory could exclude slavery from their territory where it was legal if the people refusal to enact and follow any laws that would protect slavery. Stated by Stephen Douglas during the Lincoln-Douglass debates, eventually led to his loss in the 1860 presidential election.

Harpers Ferry

John Brown and his supporters seized the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He believed that enslaved peoples would revolt against their enslavers and that slavery would be ended. Brown and his supporters did not inform enslaved peoples on the surrounding plantations of their plans. No enslaved peoples came to join the rebellion. The U.S. Marines led by Robert E. Lee were able to put down the rebellion. Brown was captured, tried, and hanged.

The Election of 1860

Four parties ran candidates during the Election of 1860 and slavery was a major political and economic issue. The Democratic Party split. John C. Breckenridge was the Southern Democratic candidate. Stephen A. Douglas was the Northern Democratic candidate. Lincoln was the Republican candidate. John Bell was the Constitutional Union Candidate. While Lincoln only opposed the extension of slavery into the territories the South believed if Lincoln won that he would work to end slavery. The South threatened to secede the Union.

Abraham Lincoln (1860)

Lincoln believed that slavery was morally wrong and should not be allowed to extend into the territories. However he was not against allowing existing slave states to keep their enslaved peoples. In his earlier days he supported the American Colonization Society and believed that blacks would never be equal to whites.

Southern Secession

After the Election of 1860, South Carolina was the first to officially secede from the Union. Six states quickly followed: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Southern States started to seize federal property including arsenals and forts.

Creation of the Confederacy

The leaders of Southern states met in Montgomery, Alabama and declared themselves an independent nation. They drafted a constitution based on the United States Constitution but protected slavery and the spread of slavery to their territories. They also decided that each state would be its own nation and that they would work in a confederacy: a loose organization of states. It banned protective tariffs and the international importation of enslaved peoples. It limited the presidency to a single six-year term. Jefferson Davis was elected president.

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter was off the coast of South Carolina and was the last Union stronghold in the Confederacy. Major Robert Anderson requested support from the Union. Lincoln did not want to upset the border states and legitimize the Confederacy's claim as an independent nation by reinforcing the fort with troops so he said that he would only send, "food for hungry men." Jefferson Davis was then faced with either attacking the fort or allowing the supplies to get to Fort Sumter. If Jefferson Davis stopped the supplies it would start a war and if he did nothing the Confederacy did not have a claim as an independent nation. The Confederacy attacked the fort and Union forces surrendered. This battle started the Civil War. After this battle more Northerners supported keeping the Union together.

Secession of the Upper South

After the Battle of Fort Sumter, Lincoln called of 75,000 troops to serve in the Union military for 90 days. The Upper South reluctantly decided there was no choice but to secede because the did not want to fight against the South. Virginia was the first to secede followed by Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Border States

States that were geographically in between the North and the South. These states were the most populated and industrialized out of southern states. They were also slave states. Lincoln used martial law to prevent Maryland and Missouri from leaving. Kentucky decided to remain in the Union after Confederate forces invaded and occupied the territory. Delaware voted to remain in the union. It was important for the Union to keep Maryland because if Maryland seceded the Union capital would have been surrounded by the Confederacy.

Martial Law

Military rule of an area. The military take control of civilian authorities and suspends certain civil rights to maintain or gain control of an area.