The Civil War

The Road to War – Sectionalism

· The Compromise of 1850

o California – Free State – Upset Balance

o Last Compromise on Issue of Slavery in the Territories

· The Kansas Nebraska Act and “Bleeding Kansas

o Settled by Popular Sovereignty

o Two Groups and Violence

o Political Implications – Decisions based on region, not political party

· Dred Scott Decision

o African Americans – No Citizen Rights (property)

o Congress powerless to restrict slavery in territories

· John Brown’s Raid at Harpers Ferry

o Radical Abolitionist – Use of Violence\

o Raid – Vision of Slave Rebellion

o Trial, Execution, Martyr to the Cause of Abolition of Slavery

· Election of Abraham Lincoln

o Four Candidates

o Lincoln elected by 40% of the votes

o Stand on Slavery

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Concept and Impact of Sectionalism

· Geography not Political Ideology

· No Ability to Compromise on the Issue of Slavery

The Divided House Falls

· The South wanted a divorce.

· Secession: South Carolina and “Deep South States” – Map

· Jefferson Davis (MI): Provisional President

Reaction by Federal Government (Lincoln)

Three options

· Compromise

· “Go in Peace”

· Compel seven states to return = war

Abraham Lincoln

· No compromise, no secession.

· Protect “property” – Fort Sumter

Inaugural Address:

· Union cannot be dissolved

· Slavery where it Exits

· “Provisions” to Ft. Sumter

Response by Confederacy: Ft. Sumter Belongs to the Confederacy

Historical Question:

Why did the North win the Civil War? Or, why did it take the North so long to win?

The North

Advantages

· Industrialized

· Railroads

· Strong Central Government

· Natural Resources

· Greater Population

Disadvantages:

· Offensive War

· Poor military leadership until 1863

· Lacked deep commitment from citizens

The South

Advantages:

· The Holy Cause of Liberty and Independence

· Cotton Diplomacy – European Nations

· Superior Military Leadership: Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson

· Defensive War – War of Attrition

· Slaves – Labor Force

Disadvantages

· Weak Government – Issue of Liberty

· Absence of manufacturing and transportation networks

· Slaves