USH unit 3

Main Causes of the Civil War

Slavery, states’ rights, economic differences, failed political compromises, and violent conflicts like Bleeding Kansas and John Brown’s Raid.

Compromise of 1850

Admitted California as a free state; created Utah & New Mexico with popular sovereignty; strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act; ended slave trade in Washington

Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise)

Allowed Missouri as slave state and Maine as free state; banned slavery north of 36°30′ in Louisiana Territory.

Dred Scott Decision

Supreme Court ruled enslaved people were not citizens and Congress could not ban slavery in the territories

John Brown’s Raid

John Brown tried to seize the arsenal at Harpers Ferry to spark a slave uprising; scared the South and heightened tensions.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty

Bleeding Kansas

Violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers trying to control Kansas.

Border Ruffians

Pro-slavery Missourians who illegally crossed into Kansas to vote for slavery.

Northern Advantages

Larger population, more factories, more railroads, stronger navy, more money.

Southern Advantages

Fighting on home soil, better generals, high morale early on.

Election of 1860

Lincoln won without Southern support; South felt politically powerless and began seceding.

Initial Purpose of the War (Union)

Preserve the Union

Initial Purpose of the War (Confederacy)

Win independence and protect slavery.

Initial Expectations of the War

Most Americans thought it would last only weeks or months.

Union Strategy (Anaconda Plan)

Blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy.

Confederate Strategy

Fight a defensive war and seek help from Britain/France (“King Cotton diplomacy”).

Emancipation Proclamation

Freed enslaved people in Confederate areas and allowed Black men to join the Union army; Lincoln waited for a Union win at Antietam.

Why Lincoln Waited for Antietam

Needed a victory so it wouldn’t look desperate and not to push border states away.

Emancipation as a Military Strategy

Weakened Southern labor force

How Emancipation Changed the War

Shifted the goal from saving the Union to ending slavery; gave the war moral purpose.

Sherman’s March to the Sea

Destroyed Southern railroads

Why Lincoln Was Under Pressure in 1864

War fatigue and upcoming election required major Union victories.

Total War

War aimed at destroying an enemy’s army

Sherman Justified (Just War Theory)

Destroyed military supplies and shortened the war

Sherman Unjustified (Just War Theory)

Destroyed civilian property and blurred the line between civilian and military targets.

Crisis of the 1876 Election

Tilden won popular vote but 20 electoral votes were disputed; commission gave them to Hayes.

Why Republicans Lost Interest in the Southern Problem

Northern fatigue

Southern Response to Black and Republican Power

Rise of violent groups (KKK)

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in 1865.

14th Amendment

Guaranteed citizenship and equal protection in 1868.

15th Amendment

Granted Black men the right to vote in 1870.

Other Reconstruction Achievements

Public schools

Compromise of 1877

Democrats accepted Hayes as president; Republicans removed federal troops from the South

Why Ending Reconstruction Hurt African Americans

No federal protection led to Jim Crow