Majority of Southerners did not own slaves…couldn’t afford them.
However, that doesn’t mean they were against slavery.
Also, not all slave owners were bad.
But there were the exceptions also.
Missouri Compromise
When Missouri was added it would tip the balance of power in the Senate.
Compromise add Maine as free state and add Missouri as a slave state.
Any state added north of the 36°30’ would be free, any state added south would be a slave state.
Compromise of 1850
There are two major problems: California’s Gold Rush, and the Underground Railroad.
To get California added a series of compromises are proposed.
Fugitive Slave Act
To make a long story short… nothing new was decided that would make a change.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen Douglas proposes this act to add Kansas and Nebraska with the territories themselves deciding the issue on slavery.
Douglas proposed this to get the trans-continental railroad to go through Chicago and Omaha.
Mass exodus of people leads to “Bleeding Kansas”
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a “slave” was taken from Missouri (slave territory) to a free territory and then back a few years later.
Sued the courts for his freedom because he lived in a free territory for a while.
Supreme Court decides that Scott is property…therefore he can not sue…also that the Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Lincoln uses the issue of slavery to trap Douglas…who is a much better politician.
He does this by trapping him on the issue of popular sovereignty. He made Douglas choose between supporting a territory’s right to choose and the Dred Scott Decision.
Douglas wins the election, for the Senate, but loses support from the South.
Thus paving the way for Lincoln to become President.
The growing differences were just too much. Plus Lincoln was very pro-North and anti-slavery.
Lincoln won less than 40% of the popular vote and won. Breckinridge and Douglas shared the South’s electoral votes.
States Rights – South feared Lincoln would outlaw slavery…or impose taxes, and other economic policies that didn’t favor the South.
South Carolina Secedes
Crittenden Compromise
Restore Missouri Compromise and rejoin.
Lincoln says no, he doesn’t want war, but will not allow slavery to expand. (but not make it illegal)
This moves other states in the South to join South Carolina and solidifies the North.
Attack on Fort Sumter
Firing began on April 12, 1861
Lincoln orders the Union troops not to fire back. The South lays siege to the fort.
On April 14th Major Anderson, running out of supplies, surrenders. There was one causality…a horse.
Lincoln says, “this rebellion is too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings” and asks for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion
Conscription – the first draft for the U.S.
Can the North win?
North
Navy
With Maryland staying with the Union the Naval Academy stays with the Union
War of Attrition
Greater population can be used to a bloody and ruthless advantage
Total War
Everyone fights the war somehow. Factories and economy are all geared towards stopping a determined enemy. This boosts the economy and the speed of inventions.
Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson etc…the North kept West Point but lost all it’s teachers.
Robert E. Lee’s decision…originally asked to fight for the North (whom he actually supported)…couldn’t…believed in sectionalism over nationalism. “The USA” vs. “We the U.S.A.” Cause
Didn’t have to win…just prevent losing
Allies?
Cotton is money…especially from Europe.
Defensive War
Worked well in the American Revolution
What is this war being fought for?
Is slavery truly the cause?
Your assignment…what issues caused the Civil War?
Things to think about
Was Lincoln going to outlaw slavery?
Why did the South Carolina secede?
Could war be avoided?
Civil War Information
More stuff not found in the textbook.
Soldiers
Totals – approximately 2 million men fought for the North. About 1 million for the South
40% of the soldiers were under the age of 21
Camp Life
50 days in camp for every day fighting. (Baseball)
Very unhealthy – poor sanitation, food, etc…
Medical Care…terrible…a trip to the hospital means no trip back. Especially in the South i.e. Anaconda Plan
Morals – Swings of emotions, all-male society…gambling, drinking, swearing etc…
Total War
This is the first war that regularly had 100,000 troops fighting at a time…so how do you supply them?