Today: Causes of the Civil War

Today: Causes of the Civil War • Three main causes we will discuss: • Antislavery movement spilling over into conflict • States’ rights • Election of 1860

Group Presentations • Anti-slavery movements: 7 • Election of 1860: 7 • States Rights: 6 • Group roles: • Researcher – pick 1-2 questions depending on group size and number of questions. • “Mini-me” – keeps your group members on task and help with research as needed. • Curator – person who creates presentation on the computer. • You can only have a maximum of 3 slides for your information – try to make them interesting with charts and pictures if you have time.

I. Cause: Conflict Over Slavery

A. Physical Conflict • Most fighting had been done with words, but it spilled over to physical conflict. • What previous examples have we learned about? • Nat Turner’s Rebellion- Turner believed God called on him to lead slaves in a rebellion. • Result: • John Brown: believed God had put him on a mission to end slavery. • 1859 - Invaded the town of Harper’s Ferry and its armory. • What is an armory? • Was defeated in 36 hours and sentenced to death.

B. Fighting with Words • Uncle Tom’s Cabin – written by Harriet Beecher Stowe • Showed the humanity of slaves and the inhumanity of slavery. • Impact: Persuaded many Northerners to disobey the Fugitive Slave Act in order to help slaves escape. • How would the slaves escape?

II. Cause: Election of 1860

A. Growth of Republican Party • Political party created in 1854 for those who didn’t want slavery to expand • Other main party was the Democrats • Party candidate in presidential election of 1860: Abraham Lincoln

B. Election of 1860 • Northern Democrats vs. Southern Democrats vs. Republicans • Democrats split over slavery • Douglas vs. Breckinridge vs. Lincoln • Lincoln – slavery is a moral evil • South feared Lincoln would not only prevent slavery in new territories but also abolish it completely • Official Republican platform: South can keep slavery, but no expansion of slavery in the West

Party Platform • “…we deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States.” • “[Speaking of any territory of the United States]…all citizens of the U.S. have an equal right to settle with their property in the Territory, without their rights, either of person or property, being … impaired…” • Which quote belongs to which party? • Do you feel that either side is willing to compromise?

C. Results • Results: • Lincoln wins • Southern response: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. Secede- state declares itself independent from the U.S.

III. Cause – States Rights

Jefferson Davis on the Cause of Secession • “The Election was not the Cause [of secession] it was but the last feather which you know breaks the Camel’s back. Sectional hostility manifested in hostile legislation by states and by raids of organized bodies sustained by Contributions…of northern Society furnish to us sufficient cause…” • Why did the South secede according to Davis? • What did he mean by “raids of organized bodies”?

Southern Secession • 7 states leave the Union by February 1861 • Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas • Created their own country: Confederate States of America • Elected Jefferson Davis as president

The First Strike • Answer the following question: • How did the Civil War officially begin?

Fort Sumter • Located outside of Charleston, South Carolina – U.S. fort • April 12, 1861 - Confederate forces opened fire on the fort and took the fort • Officially the beginning of the Civil War • Slave states choose: • NC, Arkansas and Tennessee join Confederacy • Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri stay in Union

Exit Ticket 1) The Republican Party platform in 1860 a)Dealt exclusively with slavery. b) Ignored the issue of slavery. c) Presented a moderate position on slavery. d) Attempted to broaden the party’s appeal in the North.

Exit Ticket 2)Which of the following BEST describes why the Southern states seceded? A)They felt that the Union was weak and could be easily defeated. B)They were encouraged to secede by foreign governments prepared to come to their aid if they rebelled. C)They felt that it was only a matter of time before Lincoln and the Republicans would move to abolish slavery and they wanted to protect their state sovereignty. D)They felt that it was only a matter of time before Union forces attacked and wanted to organize an army.

Exit Ticket 3) Explain one of the major causes of the Civil War. Your answer cannot be the cause you presented on.

I. Key Figures in the Civil War

Terminology • North – known as the Union, wore navy blue uniforms • South – known as the Confederacy, wore gray uniforms • Term “Civil War” is historically inaccurate: • Civil war is a war within one country • Confederacy was technically a separate country • Common terms heard here: “The War Between the States”, “The War of Northern Aggression”

A. Robert E. Lee • Head commander of the Confederate army • First choice of Lincoln for the Union army, but he did not want to fight against his home state of Virginia • Very respected leader

B. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson • General in the Confederate army • Considered Lee’s right hand man • Known for great military tactics • Had to have his arm amputated because of “friendly fire” • Eventually died from pneumonia in recovery • Happened right before Gettysburg – many believed that had he lived, the South would have won the war

C. George McClellan • First head commander of Union forces • Known for being too cautious and hesitant to attack • Fired twice by Lincoln

Ulysses S. Grant • Started as Union general in the west • Assumed command of Union forces in 1864 • General who accepted surrender of Southern forces

D. William T. Sherman • General in the Union army • Known for “Sherman’s March” • Went up the coast from Atlanta and burned and destroyed Southern cities • Trapped Lee between himself and Grant before Lee surrendered

Today: Causes of the Civil War