The growth of sectional tension 1850-1861 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What were the key economic differences between the North and the South before the Civil War?
The North was industrialized with factories, extensive railroads, and a growing urban population. The South relied on an agricultural economy, dominated by slavery and cotton exports.
How did demographics differ between the North and South?
The North had a larger, more urban population and attracted more immigrants, while the South had a smaller, rural population heavily dependent on enslaved labour.
Why did the South oppose high tariffs?
High tariffs increased the cost of imported goods, which the South relied on, and made foreign nations less willing to buy Southern cotton.
What was the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
It admitted Missouri as a slave state, Maine as a free state, and prohibited slavery north of the 36°30′ latitude line in the Louisiana Purchase territory.
How did the Missouri Compromise temporarily ease tensions?
It maintained the balance of free and slave states in the Senate, satisfying both sides for the moment.
Why was the Missouri Compromise criticized by the South?
The South saw it as restricting the spread of slavery and as a sign of growing Northern dominance.
What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), and why was it controversial?
It allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise. It led to violence in “Bleeding Kansas.”
What impact did the Dred Scott decision have on the slavery debate?
The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not restrict slavery in the territories, increasing tensions.
How did the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin influence public opinion?
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel galvanized Northern abolitionists by exposing the brutality of slavery.
Who were key abolitionist leaders, and what did they advocate?
Frederick Douglass, a former slave, advocated for equality and abolition through speeches and writing. William Lloyd Garrison published The Liberator, demanding immediate abolition.
How did the South react to abolitionist movements?
The South became defensive, suppressing abolitionist materials and justifying slavery as a “positive good.”
What role did the Underground Railroad play in abolitionism?
It was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to free states and Canada.
What were the major provisions of the Compromise of 1850?
- California admitted as a free state (pleased North).
- Popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico (pleased both sides initially).
- Slave trade banned in Washington, D.C. (pleased North).
- Fugitive Slave Act strengthened (pleased South).
Why did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 anger Northerners?
It forced Northerners to assist in capturing escaped slaves and denied accused fugitives a jury trial.
Why is the Compromise of 1850 sometimes seen as more of an “appeasement”?
It gave the South significant power through the Fugitive Slave Act, while the North’s gains were more symbolic or temporary.
What factors helped Lincoln win the 1860 presidential election?
- Republican Party’s broad appeal to Northerners and Westerners.
- Lincoln’s moderate stance on slavery, appealing to both abolitionists and racists.
- Divisions within the Democratic Party (split between Douglas and Breckinridge).
How did the Democratic Party’s split impact the election?
Northern Democrats supported Stephen Douglas, while Southern Democrats backed John Breckinridge, splitting votes and ensuring Lincoln’s victory.
What fears did Lincoln’s election evoke in the South?
The South feared that Lincoln would restrict or abolish slavery, despite his assurances to leave it alone where it already existed.
Why did South Carolina secede in 1860?
South Carolina saw Lincoln’s election as a threat to their way of life and slavery, leading them to leave the Union.
Could secession have been prevented?
- Inevitable due to deep economic, cultural, and political divides.
- Potentially preventable through better compromises and addressing Southern grievances about power imbalances.
How did Lincoln’s personal background help his political career?
His humble beginnings as a self-made man and his reputation as “Honest Abe” resonated with ordinary voters.
What were the long-term effects of John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry?
It heightened Southern fears of abolitionist violence and martyrized Brown in the North, worsening sectional tensions.
Why was the Kansas-Nebraska Act a turning point?
It led to violent conflicts in Kansas, highlighted the failure of popular sovereignty, and increased sectional animosity.
What were the long-term causes of Southern secession?
- Economic differences: North’s industrial economy vs. South’s agricultural economy based on slavery.
- Cultural and social divides: North’s focus on free labour and urbanization vs. South’s dependence on slavery and plantation economy.
- Slavery debates: The expansion of slavery into new territories and states, leading to political and moral disagreements.
