Start of Civil War

Question 1

California Gold Rush

Answer 1

January of 1848 - Gold was discovered (Sutters Mill) 9 days after becoming part of US
Worldwide epidemic coming to CA for gold
Surge of prosperity
By 1849 - 18000 gold seekers flood into CA
GOld rush generated lots of wealth but mostly for facilitators
Created a dangerous and unstable frontier
Mining camps were disgusting, dirty, and lawless
⅕ gold seekers was dead
Sex trade
CA officials try to get help from fed gov.

Question 2

Compromise of 1850

Answer 2

California is a free state
Texas border is defined - Mexico paid off
Stronger Fugitive Slave Act
Slave trade banned in D.C. but not slavery

Question 3

Henry Clay

Answer 3

Came up with Compromise of 1850
Tries to bring peace. Says to put Union above all else
Initial proposals:
California as a free state
Organize southwest territories without relations on slavery
Deny Texas extreme claims
Assume Texas debt
Retain slavery
Abolish the slave trade in Washington D.C.
A stronger fugitive slave act

Question 4

John C. Calhoun

Answer 4

Slavery is good
Act of Nullification
If you vote for the Compromise of 1850, it will be the beginning of the end for the south
The south must sucede if things continue the way they are and the south won’t survive without slavery

Question 5

Fugitive Slave Law

Answer 5

The Federal government would aid in the return of runaway slaves
Originally state’s responsibility
All marshals and deputies must enforce or face fines
Forced deputizing of citizens
Anyone who refuses or obstructs face $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail
Special commissioners hear cases NOT local courts
Accused “fugitives” are denied a jury and cannot testify on their own behalf
Commissioners were paid $5 for setting a fugitive free and $10 for each conviction
Impact:
Total disaster for runaway slaves and free African Americans
Over 15,000 moved to Canada, Hait, and the British Caribbean
African Americans and white anti-slavery activists resisted
Across the north, citizens came to the rescue of runaway slaves

Question 6

Stephen Douglas

Answer 6

Northern route
Backs Kansas-Nebraska Act
Called for repeal of Missouri compromise
Believed that popular sovereignty would solve all nation’s problems
Thought he would be a hero

Question 7

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Answer 7

A book about a slave who is treated badly, in 1852. The book persuaded more people, particularly Northerners, to become anti-slavery.

Question 8

Election of 1852

Answer 8

Whigs: Cotton vs. Conscience
Dem=Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
Manifest destiny
By choosing someone from the North, hoped he would unify party
Had no problem being “tool” for south
Whigs=Gen. Winfield Scott
Pierce wins 154-42 electoral votes
Last president for next 80 years to win both popular and electoral vortex
Pierce becomes more and more of a pawn for southern dems

Question 9

Know Nothings

Answer 9

American Party
Growing influence and popularity
Anti-catholic and anti-immigrants

Question 10

Kansas-Nebraska Act and impact

Answer 10

Led to the fall of the whig party
Not a single northern Whig voted for it
Southern and northern Whigs were not in agreement

Question 11

LeCompton Constitution

Answer 11

Fradulent and pro-slavery government and constitution established in LeCompton
Established “Black laws” to protect slavery
Prison for possession of anti-slavery mateirals
Death penalty if you encoueage slave revolts
Must swear on oath of allegiance to slavvery to hold public office

Question 12

Republican Party & its Platform

Answer 12

Against extension of slavery
Basically Whigs
Made up of ex-northern Whigs, some abolitionists, northern dems, and free soilers

Question 13

John Brown

Answer 13

In retaliation for Sack of Lawrence, Brown and sons butcher 5 pro-slavery settlers
Set off guerilla war. 200 killed on both sides by 1856
Religious psycho
Anti-slavery because of morals
Believed slavery could never be abolished

Question 14

Election of 1856

Answer 14

Democrat: James Buchanan
Platform: Kansas Nebraska Act, Popular sovereignty
The New Republican Party: John C. Fremont “The Pathfinder”
Platform: Against the extension of slavery in territories
Republicans won 11/16 free states

Question 15

Dred Scott Case and its significance

Answer 15

Court rules 7-2 against Dred Scott
Chier Justice Roger B. Taney
Dred Scott tries to buy his freedom but was denied
Wife convinced him because they had once been residents of free territories
Owner dies and wife takes over
Scott went to trial
First trial ruled in Scott’s favor
Woman appealed and second trial ruled against Scott
Took 10 years to get to Supreme Court
AA free or enslaved aren not citizens - therefore Dred Scot had no right to sue
Slaves rare property and congresss cannot deny a person of property
Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional
Reaction:
Country Divided

Question 16

President James Buchanan

Answer 16

LeCompton Constitution 1857
Pro slavery
Alienated Northern Democrats
Stephe Douglas - hero for northern dems
Buchanan pawn for south

Question 17

Lincoln’s views on slavery

Answer 17

Hates slavery but not an abolitionist until the verye end
Thought slavery was morally wrong but was protected by the constituition
Did not believe the two races could coexist as equals
Not for racial equality
Believed that blacks deserved the same rights as white men

Question 18

Harper’s Ferry

Answer 18

Southerners drew no distinction between Free Soilers and abolitionists. All were seen as a threat to slavery
John Brown’s raid October 16, 1859
22 men attacked the federal arsenal
He siezed the arsenal and hoped an uprising of slaves in the area would ensue
Surrounded by fed troops half his men were killed including 2 of his own sons
Brown was captured, tried, and hanged for treason
Became “larger than life” character - glorified

Question 19

Election of 1860 and fallout

Answer 19

The Republican Convention
Front runner was William H. Seward (Whig) NY Senator, later Sec of State Opponent of the Compromise of 1850
was a very strong opponent of slavery
Alienated members of the party
NY newspaper editor Horace Greeley did not support his nomination
Abraham Lincoln
Republican delegates saw him as a talented speaker
moderate position on slavery
He was a Westerner and had broad appeal.who could mount a challenge to Douglas.
Seward led on the first few ballots but Lincoln eventually won
The Democratic Party became deeply divided over Popular Sovereignty and slavery.
Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas
Alienated most of the South
Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckenridge
Pledged to protect slavery in the territories
Campaign was extremely heated and racist.
The Republicans were united throughout the campaign.
Seward campaigned for Lincoln throughout the country.
The Democrats were divided and had a hard time getting their message across
Most Southerners believed that Lincoln was a secret abolitionist and would end slavery if elected.

Question 20

Crittenden Compromise

Answer 20

John Crittenden proposed 6 amendments to the Constitution
Believed this would solve the problem
Extend MO compromise line to CA
Congress forbidden to abolish slavery in places under its jurisdiction
Congress cannot obtain slavery in the district of Columbia
Congress cannot prohibit or interfere with the interstate slave trade
Congress would provide full compensation to owners of fugitive slaves who were rescued by others]No future amendment of the constitution could change these amendments or interfere with slavery

Question 21

Lincoln’s First Inaugural

Answer 21

March 1861
Main points=the south has nothing to fear, goal not to interfere with slavery
Promises to allow slavery where it already existed
Gave southerners chance to come back to union
Maintains that succession is illegal and has a duty to perform as president

Question 22

Fort Sumter

Answer 22

January 1861
Commissioners demanded removal of federal forces in South Carolina
Buchanan refused
Lincoln told gov. of SC he’ll send soldiers to Fort Sumter
April 12, 1861 attack on Fort Sumter by confederates
Union surrendered, Anderson and his evacuated the next day
No one was killed after 33 hours

Question 23

Advantages of both the North and the South

Answer 23

North:
22M pop
US. Government and Navy
90% of banks, 85% of factories
20% of nation’s RR
South:
Only needs to defend to win
Home turf - know the territory
Experienced military leaders and high morale. 80% of military aged men were mobilized
Strong economic ties to Great Britain and France

Question 24

War Strategies for both sides

Answer 24

Union:
Preserve the union and put down the rebellion
Take the confederate capital of Richmond
Keep the Border States in the Union
Naval Blockade “Anaconda Plan”
Prevent European powers from supporting the confederacy
Confederacy:
Defend the Confederate land
An “offensive defensive” defensive against the North but attack whenever the North was vulnerable
Draw the war out. Break Union’s will to fight
Cotton diplomacy. Win support from Great Britain and France
Recruitment
Largest armies in US history: 2M in Union, 800,000 in Confederacy
South:
Voluntary, local efforts at first
Enacted the first conscription law of 1861
All white men 18-35 for 3 years
Rich could pay $500 for substitute
20 Negro law
North:
Enrollment Act 1863
Drafted white men 20-45 years, 3 years
Government officials and clergy exempt
Rich could pay $300 for substitute

Question 25

The Border States

Answer 25

2.6 million people
Geographically strategic
Major resources: ¾ of the South’s industrial production. Half of its food and fuel

Question 26

George McClellan

Answer 26

Lincoln removes McDowell and replaces with General George McClellan as chief of all union forces
Loved by soldiers but clashes with Lincoln
Too cautious

Question 27

Battle of Bull Run/Manasses

Answer 27

July 21 1861
Lots of criticism around newspapers
Public pressure for Lincoln to do something
90 days almost done
Eve of first battle, both sides very optimistic
Confederate and union troops meet for battle 25m west of D.C.
Union troops outnumber the confederates 36,000-21,000
Most Union troops very undisciplined
Confederates sent out for reinforcements
Results:
Union: 460 killed, 1,124 sounced, 1,300 captured or missing
Confederates: 387 killed, 1,582 wounded, 13 missing

Question 28

New Technologies of war

Answer 28

First Modern War
RR, telegraphs, observation balloons
Primitive grenades, submarines, ironclad ships
The rifle replaced the musket
The nature of combat was transformed
Extremely high death toll and casualties. For every soldier killed in battle, two died from disease
Propaganda by patriotic organizations and the War department
Media coverage and war correspondents
Around 800,000 died

Question 29

Lincoln’s suspension of Habeas Corpus

Answer 29

Exparte Merryman - demands they release him, signs petition saying to release Merryman because he isn’t charged with anything
Judge Taney says he has no right to suspend Habeas Corpus - unconstitutional
Only Congress has the power to suspend Habeas Corpus and can’t think of any example where it would be given to the President
Around 15-20k arrests made with the suspension of Habeas Corpus

Question 30

Military Tribunals

Answer 30

Over 4,000 military trials were conducted during war (majority in border states)
Civilians viewed as enemy combatants
Clement Vallandigham - leader of Ohio Democratic party
Leads “Peace Democrats”
One of the biggest/outspoken critics of Lincoln and the war
1863 - General Ambrose Burnside issued order 38
Restriction of civil liberties
Made it illegal to sympathize with the enemy
Vallandigham violates order - put before a military tribune
Delivered speeches denouncing the order
Arrested for treason
Tried before military tribunal and found guilty - sentenced to death
Asked court for injunction and writ of Habeas Corpus and reaches the Supreme Court
Supreme Court says it is unconstitutional to try civilians in military tribunals