Causes of the Civil War Flashcards

Causes of the Civil War

• Ending slavery was the primary motivating factor for the Civil War, with the North fighting to abolish it while the South aimed to preserve it.
• The Southern economy relied heavily on slavery for agricultural production, particularly in cotton cultivation, making it vital for their prosperity.
• Southern population: approximately 5 million white people and 4 million enslaved black people.

The Southern Plantation Economy

• Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin revolutionized cotton production, solidifying its importance to the Southern economy.
• The economic interdependence between Southern states and European markets did not prevent conflict.

Role of Abolitionists

• Abolitionists sought to eradicate slavery, particularly in new territories.
• They appealed to a "higher law" than the Constitution to advocate for immediate emancipation and equality for all.

Influence of Uncle Tom's Cabin

• Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel depicted the harsh realities of slavery, fueling anti-slavery sentiments in the North.
• The book’s popularity amplified tensions between the North and South, leading to backlash from Southern leaders.

Free States vs. Slave States

• The status of new states as either free or slave intensified existing hostilities between the North and South.
• The North was primarily composed of free states, while the South was characterized by slave states.

Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas

• Proposed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas, this act allowed settlers to determine the status of slavery, inciting anger among Northerners.
• The violence in Kansas, known as "Bleeding Kansas," epitomized the national conflict over slavery.

Fugitive Slave Laws

• Northern citizens faced fines for failing to assist in the return of escaped slaves, exacerbating sectional tensions.
• Many free blacks in the North were wrongfully captured as fugitive slaves, sparking outrage.

Impact of the Underground Railroad

• The Underground Railroad served as a secret network aiding enslaved individuals in escaping to freedom, primarily to Canada.
• Notable figures like Levi Coffin and Harriet Tubman played instrumental roles in helping enslaved people flee, angering Southern slaveholders.

Dred Scott Decision

• Dred Scott, a slave, attempted to sue for his freedom but was denied based on the ruling that he was not a citizen due to his race.
• The decision intensified the divide between the North and South, particularly as it involved a slave seeking freedom in a free state.

John Brown’s Actions

• Radical abolitionist John Brown led violent uprisings against pro-slavery forces in "Bleeding Kansas."
• His belief that armed resistance could end slavery contributed to the mounting tension leading to the Civil War.

Secession and Its Consequences

• Southerners opposed Abraham Lincoln's election as he was viewed as an opponent to slavery, prompting 11 states to secede and form the Confederacy.
• This division of states ultimately laid the groundwork for the Civil War.