Why Did The Civil War Begin In 1861? Flashcards
Which factors were directly about slavery ?
Abolitionists, Harper’s ferry and election of Lincoln
Which factors were less direct towards slavery?
Underlying tensions, Kansas Nebraska act and the secession of southern states.
How did abolitionists play a part in starting the Civil war?
Point: South saw works of Northern abolitionists as a direct attack on their way of life
Evidence: Frederick douglas gains public support to end slavery after speech on 4th July 1852.
Analasys: south thought the north were trying to attack the way they lived so were fearful of loosing it and already on edge with tensions created. They also didn’t like that it was on anniversary of America founded which ruined the day for them and angered them more.
How did Harpers ferry contribute to the cause of the civil war?
Point: south saw evidence of north encouraging slave revolts therefore they saw it as the sought trying to eradicate slavery.
Evidence: John Brown (northern abolitionist) tried to seize control of US weapons arsenal in 1859 to arm slaves to rebel.
Analasys: this was proof that nporth were trying to eradicate slavery because now they are making steps and actually encouraging and atempting to make it happen which the south saw as an attack on their way of life but made them even more anxious because it was now a reality.
How did the election of Lincoln lead to the civil war?
Point: Lincoln was a northern president which led to south carolina and other states succeding from the union which created a division between two sides.
Evidence: November 1860 Lincoln elected an dmade open anti slavery speeches.
Analasys: has most power in the country and is unionist, northern anti slavery president which was the opposite of what the south wanted because they knew that he had the power to abolish slavery and chnage their lives making them very fearful so some leave the union in protest because they don’t wnat him as president because they’re scared. This creates a clear divide between the nation whereas they only had tension before enabling conflict to happen more easily.
How did Kansas Nebraska act lead to the civil war?
Point: demonstrated that war and conflict was a realistic idea
Evidence: 1854 allowed states to vote whether to be pro or anti slavery which meant supporters fooded in ending up in 200 people being killed.
Analasys: showed the two sides were capable of escalating their viewpoints to violence which shows war could be a realitybut also showed that the two sides were willing to die over their opinions which could lead to a violent civil war because neither side would back down.
How did underlying tensions contribute to civil war?
Point: North and south had opposite ways of life and didn’t like the other sides.
Evidence: South thought northern cities were too modern and ungodly while north saw south slavery as unfair because they didn’t have to pay their workers.
Analasys: This meant that both north and south wanted to keep their way of life and didn’t like the others therefore there was already anger and hostility between the two creating a tension. This is not directly linked to slavery because it’s about opposing views on how to live and each side were scared and felt threatened that they were going to lose theirs.
How did secession of southern states lead to the civil war?
Point: 7 seceded states attacked US army base in south Carolina which made Lincoln call US troops to stop the rebellion
Evidence: Late 1860 and early 1861 states seceded from the union complaining the government was acting aggresively towards slavery.
Analasys: This was the turning point because the two sides had formed and violence started when the seceded states attacked the US army base which meant Lincoln had to act to protect a state still part of the union. Both sides believed what they were doing was right because the south thought they needed to protect themselves and their way of life whereas the north saw the south as attacking them so also needed to protect themselves. The north and south had contrasting ideas of how to live and both wanted theirs to happen across the country therefore violence was bound to happen. This is not directly about slavery because it’s more about both sides wanting different things for themselves.
