US History Road to Civil War

What role did slavery play in the U.S. economy before the Civil War?

Slavery was central to the Southern agricultural economy, especially cotton production.

What was the cotton gin?

A machine invented by Eli Whitney that quickly removed seeds from cotton.

How did the cotton gin change cotton production?

It made cotton farming faster, cheaper, and more profitable.

Why did the cotton gin increase reliance on enslaved labor?

More cotton production required more land and more enslaved workers.

How did westward expansion of cotton increase sectional conflict?

Each new territory raised the question of whether slavery would expand.

What was the purpose of the Missouri Compromise (1820)?

To maintain balance between free states and slave states in Congress.

How did the Missouri Compromise balance free and slave states?

Missouri entered as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

What geographic boundary did the Missouri Compromise establish?

Slavery was banned north of the 36°30′ line except in Missouri.

Why did the Missouri Compromise only delay conflict?

It did not resolve the moral or political issue of slavery.

Why did California’s statehood lead to the Compromise of 1850?

California wanted to enter as a free state, upsetting sectional balance.

What parts of the Compromise of 1850 favored the North?

California became a free state and the slave trade was banned in Washington, D.C.

What parts of the Compromise of 1850 favored the South?

A stronger Fugitive Slave Act and popular sovereignty in territories.

How did federal power increase under the Compromise of 1850?

The federal government enforced slavery laws even in free states.

What did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 require citizens to do?

Assist in capturing and returning escaped enslaved people.

How did the Fugitive Slave Act affect free Black communities?

Free Black people were kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Why did the Fugitive Slave Act cause moral outrage in the North?

It forced Northerners to participate in slavery.

How did the Fugitive Slave Act bring slavery into everyday Northern life?

Citizens were legally required to help enforce slavery.

What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

A law allowing territories to vote on slavery through popular sovereignty.

What is popular sovereignty?

The idea that settlers vote on whether slavery is allowed.

How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act overturn earlier compromises?

It repealed the Missouri Compromise line.

Why did popular sovereignty fail in Kansas?

It led to violence, fraud, and intimidation.

What was Bleeding Kansas?

Violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas.

Why did violence erupt in Kansas Territory?

Both sides wanted to control whether Kansas allowed slavery.

How did armed groups influence political outcomes in Kansas?

They used violence to sway elections and control territory.

What was the Pottawatomie Massacre?

An attack where John Brown and followers killed pro-slavery settlers.

What did the Pottawatomie Massacre reveal?

Violence was becoming accepted as a political tool.

Who was John Brown?

A radical abolitionist who believed slavery must be ended by force.

What actions did John Brown take in Kansas?

He led violent attacks against pro-slavery settlers.

What happened at Harpers Ferry?

John Brown attempted to start a slave uprising by seizing weapons.

Why did John Brown believe violence was justified?

He believed slavery was a moral evil that must be destroyed.

How did Southerners interpret John Brown’s raid?

As proof that abolitionists threatened Southern society.

Who was Dred Scott?

An enslaved man who sued for his freedom.

Why did the Supreme Court rule against Dred Scott?

It ruled that Black Americans were not citizens.

What did the Dred Scott decision say about slavery?

Congress could not ban slavery in the territories.

Why did the Dred Scott decision anger the North?

It allowed slavery to expand and denied Black citizenship.

Why did the Election of 1860 show deep political division?

Voting was split by region with little national unity.

Why was Abraham Lincoln able to win the election?

He won the North while Southern votes were divided.

How did Southerners interpret Lincoln’s election?

As a threat to slavery and Southern power.

What does secession mean?

A state leaving the Union.

Why did Southern leaders argue secession was necessary?

To protect slavery and states’ rights.

What role did slavery play in secession?

It was the central issue behind Southern independence.

Why was Fort Sumter important?

It symbolized federal authority in the South.

Why did the Confederacy view Fort Sumter as a threat?

It represented Union control in Confederate territory.

How did the attack on Fort Sumter represent the failure of compromise?

It marked the start of the Civil War.

When was the Battle of Gettysburg fought?

July 1–3, 1863.

Why did the Battle of Gettysburg begin?

Confederate and Union forces unexpectedly met in Pennsylvania.

What happened on the first day of Gettysburg?

Union forces retreated to strong defensive positions.

What was Pickett’s Charge?

A failed Confederate assault on the Union center.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg?

A major Union victory.

Why is Gettysburg considered a turning point?

It ended Confederate invasion of the North and shifted momentum.

How does Gettysburg connect to the causes of the war?

It resulted from unresolved conflicts over slavery and power.