Causes Of The American Civil War

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termsAnthony Phuong
Period 3 Block A
12/2/12
Unit 5 terms
Questions:
1. 3 Causes for the American Civil War:
Kansas/ Nebraska Act: Chaos erupted after a decision was not reached regarding the issue of slavery in this territory. The free & slave government forming in that territory increased tension between free & slave states. The incident involving Charles Sumner and Preston Brooks further rallied together spirits of the North and South. Their very own brethren were becoming enemies. John Brown’s massacre upon slave owners also further heated events. The events that took place within this area lead to increased tension.
Compromise of 1850: The south was upset with their provisions in the compromise of 1850. They lost power when California was deemed a free state, as well as the Mexican Cession area having popular sovereignty. The only benefit they reaped from the Compromise of 1850 was the increased fugitive slave law. Tensions only increased after this because northerners did not enforce this law beforehand but were now at the mercy of the federal government. They felt further disconnected from one another.
Harper’s Ferry, Virginia: John Brown’s radical views exhibited themselves at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. He held up for hostage a major resource for the south- a weapons arsenal. They continue to harass the southerners and eventually are led to a mini battle. Robert E Lee was brought in to curb the chaos. The north and south relations are further severed after this event. 2. The Civil War might be considered a challenge to the Constitution because the civil war was jeopardizing the Constitution. The Constitution was made for one united nation, not two splitting up. The Constitution can only work when the country is a united nation, which the civil war threatens the ending the Constitution. The civil war was a threat to the Constitution because it gave the opportunity for the country to be split into two different sides, sides being the North and the South. If any of this were to happen then either the North or South or both sides might want to make a new Constitution.

3. Reconstruction affected the relationships between the North and the South both in a positive and a negative way. It affected the relationship positively because it marked the time after the end of the Civil War. Reconstruction was a time when the North and South tried to work together and rebuild the South. It affects their relationship in a negative way because during this time, there are still issues being brought up that the two sides strongly disagree on.
Compromise of 1850
Who: VP Fillmore, Congress, N vs. S, Henry Clay
What: Series of compromises regarding slavery; North benefited most; verdict of congress * N: CA & New Mexico admitted as free states/ D.C has no more slavery * S: Popular sovereignty in Mexican Cession Area/ Stricter Fugitive Slave Law
Where: California, New Mexico, Utah, Texas
When: 1850
Why: To compromise and avoid disunion in the US. California residents don’t want to be slave because of competition from slave owners for gold.
Significance: Senate balance is offset, favoring free states, Mexican Cession area became free soil, Fugitive Slave Law increased N vs. S tension more
Point of Interest: Free territory was increased and South won little
Connection: Win for abolitionists
Popular Sovereignty:
Who: Gen. Lewis Cass (father), state’s citizens
What: Sovereign people of a territory under the constitution should determine status of slavery
Where: US
When: 1848
Why: Compromised between northern abolitionists and southern slave holders; self determination
Significance: : Tossed issue into laps of state residents; no longer a federal issue; could spread the blight of it:
Point of Interest: Popular mentality of a state would determine slavery inside it
Connection: Abolitionists were probably displeased w/ meager compromise
Kansas/ Nebraska Act:
Who: Stephen Douglas