Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-1877

Question 1

Why did westward expansion increase tension over slavery?

Answer 1

• Slavery was seen as important in the South and so people thought it would cause economic and social chaos. Keen to protect their way of life.

Question 2

What was the Missouri Compromise?

Answer 2

1820 - Stated that states above the 36’30 parallel would be free states and states below would be slaves. It further stated that for every slave state added to America, a free state would be added.

Question 3

What was the problem with the Missouri Compromise?

Answer 3

As America expanded west, some states resisted this. e.g California which was below the line however the general population was against slavery so it became a free state.
- Caused people in the South to become angry as the balance of power was breaking.

Question 4

Events in 1860 and 1861 that led to the outbreak of the Civil War

Answer 4

• Lincoln winning the presidential Election (Catalyst)
• The Missouri Compromise being broken in 1854
  -Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854

Question 5

What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

Answer 5

1854 - congress passed this which voids the Missouri Compromise.
- It allowed the Kansas-Nebraska territory to vote on whether they wanted to be free or a slave state

Question 6

What was the problem with the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

Answer 6

• Northerners were angry as Kansas was North of the 36’30 parallel and so was free.
• Eventually led to riots, violence, and murder (Bleeding Kansas) where Free-Soilers and Boarder Ruffians tried to sway the decision.
• In 1861, Kansas was admitted into the Union as a free state.)

Question 7

Why and how did Lincoln’s Election trigger Civil War

Answer 7

• Though slavery was immoral which caused southerners to feel they didn’t own the man’s loyalty as he threatened their way of life.
• Triggered secession of seven states that ended up forming the Confederate States of America (Jefferson Davis as their president)

Question 8

Fort Sumpter

Answer 8

• Argued as the TRIGGER of the Civil War
• Lincoln refused to withdraw US government troops at Fort Sumter off the coast of South Carolina. Jefferson Davis and the Confederates saw this as an act of disrespect.
• On April 12th, Gunboats ordered by Davis opened fire on Fort Sumter and on April 15th Lincoln declared WAR.

Question 9

How were African Americans treated?

Answer 9

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