Events Leading to the Civil War

The right of states to govern themselves and their own affairs, independent of the federal government.

The idea that a state could choose to ignore or reject federal laws that it deemed unconstitutional.

The practice of withdrawing a state from the Union, ending its membership.

A system where individuals are forced to work without pay, often for agricultural labor.

The South's economic system heavily relied on the production of crops like cotton, largely dependent on slave labor on plantations.

The North's economic system focused on factories and businesses, not requiring slave labor.

The Missouri Compromise was a law passed in 1820 that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, trying to balance the power between the North and South.

A political strategy aimed at finding mutually beneficial solutions that satisfy both sides in a dispute.

The United States Constitution did not address the issue of slave labor and recognized it as a matter for individual states to decide.

The South relied heavily on slave labor for its economy, particularly on large cotton plantations, while the North, focused on industry, did not rely on slave labor.

A major point of contention between the North and the South, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state, but delayed the decision on slavery in new territories, while also abolishing slave trade in Washington D.C., but allowing slavery to continue there.

The Fugitive Slave Act, a part of the Compromise of 1850, required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, further fueling tensions between North and South.

A tax on imported goods, designed to protect domestic industries.

The disagreement between the North and South over the issue of slavery in the 1800s, fueled by economic differences and moral concerns.

The act of buying and selling enslaved people, often with the goal of exploiting their labor.

Large farms in the South, often employing enslaved labor to cultivate cash crops.

The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had no right to stop the spread of slavery into western territories. This decision angered Northern abolitionists and pleased Southern slaveholders, further dividing the nation.

The Republican Party was formed in 1854 by those who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. They initially aimed to restrict slavery's spread, not abolish it completely.

The Democratic Party, divided on the issue of slavery, had three candidates in the 1860 election: Stephen Douglas for northern Democrats, John Breckinridge for southern Democrats, and John Bell for the Constitutional Union Party.

Abraham Lincoln, nominated by the Republican Party, won the 1860 presidential election. This victory alarmed Southern states, who feared Lincoln's stance on slavery.

Georgia's legislature held a special convention to vote on secession after South Carolina left the Union. The vote was 166 to 130 in favor of secession, marking Georgia's exit from the Union in January 1861.

Before the Civil War, significant differences divided the North and South, including disputes over states' rights and the issue of slavery. These tensions eventually led to the outbreak of war.

The Civil War was a major conflict between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states) from 1861 to 1865. The war centered around issues of slavery and states' rights.

A statement made by Georgia in 1850, stating that it would remain in the Union as long as the North upheld the Fugitive Slave Act.

A Supreme Court case in 1857 that ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in court.

The presidential election of 1860, where Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected.

Georgia's decision to leave the Union, joining the Confederate States of America.

The Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case had a significant impact on the national debate over slavery. It further polarized the North and South, as it strengthened the pro-slavery stance and weakened the efforts to restrict the expansion of slavery. The ruling ultimately contributed to the escalation of tensions that would lead to the Civil War.

The Republican Party in the Election of 1860 campaigned against the expansion of slavery into new territories. This stance was controversial, as Southerners viewed it as a direct attack on their rights. Many believed that the Republican Party aimed to undermine the Southern way of life and their economic system, which heavily relied on slave labor.

The Democratic Party in the Election of 1860 was deeply divided. They split into two factions: the Northern Democrats who supported popular sovereignty on slavery and the Southern Democrats who advocated for the protection of slavery in all territories. This split weakened the party and ultimately contributed to the Republican victory.

The debate over secession centered around the notion of states' rights. Southern states felt they had the right to choose their own laws, including the right to keep slavery. They believed that after Lincoln's election, their rights were being infringed upon, leading them to declare withdrawal from the Union. This ultimately escalated the conflict and led to the Civil War.