Civil War - Origins and Key Events

Lincoln University

• Originated in 1854, initially named differently, later renamed Lincoln University after the Civil War.
• Early focus: vocational training, practical skills, career-oriented learning.
• Transitioned into a standard university with broader subjects like English and science.

Institute for Colored Youth

• Established in Philadelphia in 1849 by Charles Avery.

Black Education Beyond Traditional Colleges

• Many educational institutions for Black individuals existed besides traditional Black colleges.
• Includes homeschooling, small private schools, and public institutions.
• These institutions were generally open to anyone, including Black individuals, and possibly White individuals as well.
• Education was crucial in the lead-up to the Civil War.

Abolitionism

• Underground Railroad: A significant topic discussed previously.
• Abolitionists: Individuals against slavery, with varying degrees of radicalism.
• William Lloyd Garrison: A radical abolitionist, advocated immediate end to slavery but was non-violent.
• John Brown: A militant abolitionist who was willing to use violence to end slavery.
• Theoretical Beliefs: Words and beliefs precede actions; understanding the reasons behind the fight is essential for a focused movement.
• Equality: Most white abolitionists did not advocate for equality; Garrison was one of the few exceptions. Black abolitionists wanted equality and citizenship.

Building a Black Community

• Education, abolitionism, and the Underground Railroad all contributed.

Civil War - Political Economic and Social factors

• Economic factor: Cotton was the key economic driver.
• 1860: 4.8 million bales of cotton were produced, making it the largest export of the United States and integral to the Southern economy.
• Northern Economy: Dependent on the South's cotton due to shipping and trade, mainly via Northern ports like New York.
  Cotton was transported to Europe and England on ships built in the North
• North and the West: The North was increasingly aligning with the West, isolating the South.
• Expansion: Expansion westward exacerbated the slavery issue.
• State's Rights: The question of whether new territories/states would be free or slave states, linked to the concept of state's rights.

Political Events Leading to the Civil War

• The political events leading up to the Civil War all involve slavery.
• Wilmot Proviso (1846)
  • Proposed by Congressman Wilmot.
  • Proviso: "No slavery nor involuntary servitude shall be extended into the new Western lands."
  • Aimed to prevent the expansion of slavery into territories acquired from the Louisiana Purchase, the Texas War for Independence, and the Mexican-American War.
  • The Proviso never passed Congress due to Southern opposition.
  • Southern Strategy: The South feared this would create precedent leading to the eventual abolishment of slavery.
  • Permanent Workforce: The South was trying to protect its permanent workforce, which relied on slavery.
  • The North also had a permanent workforce, but it was based on low-paid labor, not slavery.
• Compromise of 1850
  • Combination of laws related to slavery.
  • California enters as a free state.
  • Territories: Utah and New Mexico territories would decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.
  • Kansas and Nebraska territories: Would also utilize popular sovereignty to determine the status of slavery.
  • Popular Sovereignty: Residents of a territory decide whether to allow slavery.
    State rights: The south wanted each state making its own choice
  • Slave Trade Act: The slave trade was prohibited in Washington, D.C., but slavery itself was not abolished.
    This was perceived as hypocritical because it only aimed to hide the practice from foreign dignitaries, while exploitation continued.
  • Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: A controversial law that required the return of escaped slaves to their owners.
• Bleeding Kansas
• Dred Scott case (1857)
• Lincoln Douglas debates
• John Brown's raid
• These events led to the start of the war.