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Causes of the Civil War
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Missouri Compromise
In 1819, there was a compromise. Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state. To solve this, Henry Clay said that Missouri could join as a slave state, while Maine would join as a free state. Also, slave states were not allowed past latitude 36 degrees 30’ north. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was was caused because America won alot of land won from the Mexican- American war. To solve this, Henry Clay came up with a compromise; California could join the Union as a free state, while Utah and New Mexico were allowed to choose if they would allow slavery. Plus, the fugitive slave act was passed, which made it illegal for someone to help a slave, and slave owners could get there slaves back from the north. -
Fugitive Slave Act
As part of the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed. People could not help slaves escape or they would be severely punished. Also, if a slave escaped to the north, there slave owner could bring them back to the south. Many people disagreed with this law, and kept helping slaves escape. -
Kansas/Nebraska Act
On May 30, 1854 they made the Kansas/Nebraska act. Kansas and Nebraska were allowed to vote if they were going to allow slavery or not. Slavery won by a large margin, but some people wouldn’t accept the results. They claimed people from Missouri crossed illegally and voted, which led to Bleeding Kansas. -
John Brown Rebellion
On October 16, 1859 John Brown, his 5 sons, and supporters attacked an Arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He takes the town, but makes no further offensive. A couple days later, the militia comes and surrounds them, and then a day later, the Marines, led by Robert E. Lee forced John Brown to surrender. In the fight, 2 of his sons were killed, and he was injured and was charged with murder and treason and was hung. -
Election of 1860
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln ran for president. Abraham was representing the republicans, facing 2 democrats. Abraham won the election without winning a single south state. The reason was the 2 democrats split the votes in the south while Abraham won the north states. -
Secession
After the election of Abraham Lincoln, on December 24, 1859, South Carolina left the Union and started the Confederate states of America. As a result of South Carolina leaving the Union, Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and Virginia also left the Union and joined the Confederate states of America. When they left, the Civil War had begun.
