Civil War: Causes, Advantages and Ideals

Civil War

• Comparing it with American Revolution, Civil War shares characteristics such as struggle for self-governance and ideals of liberty, but differs in causes and conflict within one nation

• Fugitive Slave Laws mandated the return of runaway slaves to their owners, even if they were in free states

• Lincoln's Gettysburg Address defined the Civil War as a struggle to preserve the Union and promote equality

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 heightened sectionalism by allowing territories to decide on slavery via popular sovereignty, repealing the Missouri Compromise and leading to conflict

• Geographic advantages like more industry, manpower, established government, and resources helped the Union emerge as victors

• The Union's advantages included a larger industrial base and population whereas the Confederacy had strong military leadership and home-field advantage

• The struggle over states' rights versus federal authority was a major constitutional issue contributing to sectional conflict

• Both the North and South shared similar treatment of blacks through systemic racism, denial of rights, and social oppression, though specifics varied by region

• Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, slavery was fully and permanently abolished with the 13th amendment

• The Battle of Vicksburg was important because it gave the Union control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy

• William Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Civil War

• The Missouri Compromise was an agreement that regulated slavery in western territories, prohibiting slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36°30′ parallel, except for Missouri

• The Compromise of 1850 aimed to resolve disputes over slavery in newly acquired territories but included controversial provisions like the Fugitive Slave Act

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed settlers in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery which would repeal the Missouri Compromise

• Bleeding Kansas resulted from the violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions vying for control of the territory

Reconstruction

• Southern States found themselves in economic ruin and social upheaval at the start of Reconstruction

• Lincoln's assassination altered Reconstruction by leading to a more punitive approach under President Andrew Johnson, complicating efforts to reintegrate the South

• The Freedmen's Bureau provided assistance to newly freed slaves and poor whites in the South through education, healthcare, and legal support

• The Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born in the United States, except for Native Americans

• The Reconstruction Act aimed to reorganize the South, protect black voting rights, and ensure loyalty to the Union

• President Andrew Johnson's impeachment was mainly caused by his clashes with Congress over Reconstruction policies

• The 15th Amendment prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

• Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate, representing Mississippi during Reconstruction

• Southern States resisted the 15th Amendment through discriminatory practices like poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence

• Black Codes restricted the rights and freedoms of African Americans in the South, limiting their economic opportunities and civil rights

• Southern states interfered with Black citizens' right to vote through intimidation, violence, and discriminatory laws like poll taxes and literacy tests