Causes of The Civil War Flashcards
What was The Missouri Compromise?
There were 22 states in the Union. 11 were free states, 11 were slave states. When Maine and Missouri were added to the Union they needed to keep it balanced so Missouri became a slave state when Maine is a free state.
What was the Compromise of 1850?
-California admitted as a free state
-The Fugitive Slave Act
o Required all citizens to assist in returning runaway slaves
o Slaves denied right to jury trial
-Popular Sovereignty used to decide issue of slavery in newly organized New Mexico and Utah Territories
-Slave trade banned in Washington, D.C.
What was Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
It was a novel written by Harriott Beecher Stowe. The Beecher family was very religious abolitionists from Connecticut. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is an anti-slavery novel that made many northerners take notice of the evils of slavery. Many southerners criticized it as abolitionist propaganda
What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
Written and supported by Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas (The “Little Giant”) and Andrew Butler of South Carolina.
- Created the Kansas and Nebraska territories
- Opened up western lands to settlement
- Repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing popular sovereignty to decide on the issue of slavery in the new territories.
- Led to the violence that becomes known as “Bleeding Kansas”
What were the Bogus Elections?
Kansas-Nebraska Act = Kansans will determine whether their state is pro- or anti- slavery
-Neighboring Missouri was pro slavery
-During the election of the first territorial Kansas government, 5,000 or so Missouri men illegally participated in the voting process. David Rice Atchison, U.S. senator from Missouri, encouraged this illegal voting.
-These “Border Ruffians” voted for a proslavery legislature that the Free-Staters referred to as The Bogus (not genuine or true; fake) Legislature.
“Bleeding Kansas” (1854-1861)
What was “Bleeding Kansas”?
As a result of the Kansas-Nebraska act allowing voting on slavery, several incidences of violence occurred. Many people move to Kansas to influence the decision over whether to have Kansas enter the Union as a free state or slave state.
What was the Wakarusa War?
Violence in Lawrence and the Wakarusa River Valley that started with the killing of a free-stater. Samuel Jones, Douglas County sheriff, encouraged proslavery forces to participate in a siege on Lawrence after free-staters helped a man arrested at a free-state meeting. A blockade was put on the city and residence prepared for an attack. An attack didn’t come.
The siege ends when a treaty is signed with Missourians.
What was the Sacking of Lawrence?
Newspapers in Lawrence continued to publish critical articles about proslavery leaders. Sheriff Jones led a group to Lawrence to shut down offending papers. Lawrence was attacked and burned. Several homes and businesses were destroyed including the home of abolitionist Charles Robinson and the Free State Hotel owned by the Eldridge family.
What was the The Pottawatomie Creek Massacre?
On his way to help Lawrence, abolitionist John Brown receives word that the siege is over. Brown gets a few of his sons and others together for an attack on pro slavery men in Franklin County. 5 men are killed. Attacks between Bushwhackers (Missourians who raided antislavery settlements in Kansas) and Jayhawkers (Kansans who raided Missouri) continue. Last major violent act in “Bleeding Kansas” time period. 11 free-staters kidnapped by pro slavery men. They were taken to a ravine and shot.
§ 5 killed
§ 5 wounded
§ 1 escaped
What was the Dred Scott v. Sandford case?
Dred Scott was a slave that sued for his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens, they were property.
o No rights to sue for his freedom
o Slaves were slaves even if traveling with owner to a free-state
The Court determined that it was unconstitutional for the U.S. government to prohibit slavery the territories (including KS)
What was the John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry?
Brown wanted to arm slaves and lead them in a revolt. He attempted to raid the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia to accomplish this. He tried to encourage famous former slaves and abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass to accompany him. Neither participated in the raid. The raid failed as Brown (and about 20 men he was leading) was caught by a U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee. Brown was convicted of treason and hanged. He became a martyr for the abolitionist cause.
The Kansas Constitution is Written?
Four constitutional conventions took place in Kansas as sides fought over the issue of slavery in Territorial Kansas. Conventions met in Topeka, Lecompton, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte. The Wyandotte Constitution made KS a free state, but restricted voting rights to white men. It gained approval in Kansas, but failed to get approval from U.S. Congress until southern states began to secede and the balance of power shifted in the U.S. Senate.
Abraham Lincoln is elected President
He is Republican candidate, he spoke out against the Kansas-Nebraska Act, he previously ran against Stephen Douglas for seat in the U.S. Senate (Illinois). Douglas won. 1960 – Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas and Southern Democrat John Breckinridge split the Democratic vote. This allowed Lincoln to gain more electoral votes. He lost the popular vote, but won the presidency. Many southerners felt that the election of Lincoln meant the end of their say in the U.S. government. Secession was being seriously considered.
South Carolina secedes
South Carolina becomes the first state to secede. 6 others follow and form the Confederate States of America in 1861. They elect President Jefferson Davis. The Confederates begin to take over forts, post offices, and other federal property in the South.
What happens when Kansas becomes a State?
As southern states secede, Kansas becomes the 34th state. Charles Robinson (from Lawrence) becomes the first governor of the state. The state faces a rough start as a drought devastates leaving many with dying crops, not enough drinking water, and an economic crisis.
