APUSH: Period 5, 1844-1877 - Causes of the Civil War, Slavery, Sectionalism, States' Rights, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott

Why This Matters

The causes of the Civil War are a pivotal topic in American history, as they reveal the deepening divisions within the United States and the ultimate collapse of the Union. This period highlights the ongoing struggle between competing visions of American identity, particularly the tension between the ideals of liberty and equality. The Civil War's causes demonstrate how the country's founding principles, such as federalism and states' rights, were tested and ultimately failed to prevent the secession of 11 Southern states. Understanding these events is essential for grasping the complexities of American politics and society during the mid-19th century.

Key Events & People

• The Missouri Compromise (1820): This law admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel. It temporarily alleviated tensions between slave and free states.
• The Compromise of 1850: This set of laws, passed in response to the Mexican-American War, admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed New Mexico and Utah to decide their own slavery policies.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): This law repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing new states to decide their own slavery policies, leading to pro-slavery and anti-slavery violence in Kansas.
• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court, further solidifying the institution of slavery.
• Abraham Lincoln's House Divided Speech (1858): Lincoln warned that the country was on the brink of collapse due to the issue of slavery, stating that it could not long endure.
• John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859): Brown's attempt to spark a slave rebellion in Virginia was ultimately unsuccessful but heightened tensions leading up to the Civil War.
• The Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860): Lincoln's victory as the first Republican president led several Southern states to secede from the Union.
• Jefferson Davis: As the president of the Confederate States of America, Davis led the secessionist movement and played a key role in the Civil War.
• Stephen A. Douglas: A prominent Northern Democrat, Douglas advocated for popular sovereignty and was a key opponent of Lincoln in the 1860 election.
• Harriet Tubman: An escaped slave and abolitionist, Tubman helped hundreds of enslaved individuals escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) allowed new states to decide their own slavery policies.
• Effect: Pro-slavery and anti-slavery violence erupted in Kansas, further polarizing the country.
• Long-term consequence: The violence in Kansas contributed to the secession of several Southern states and ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
• Cause: The Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) ruling solidified the institution of slavery and denied slaves their rights as citizens.
• Effect: The ruling further entrenched the divide between slave and free states, making it more difficult to find a compromise.
• Long-term consequence: The ruling contributed to the growing tensions leading up to the Civil War and the eventual abolition of slavery.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Sectionalism*: The division of the United States into distinct regions with competing interests and values.
  • Example: The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a prime example of sectionalism, as it allowed new states to decide their own slavery policies, further dividing the country.
• *Popular Sovereignty*: The idea that the people of a territory or state should decide their own laws and policies.
  • Example: Stephen A. Douglas advocated for popular sovereignty in the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing the people of Kansas to decide their own slavery policies.
• *Fugitive Slave Act*: A law that required Northerners to return escaped slaves to their owners.
  • Example: The Compromise of 1850 strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, making it more difficult for escaped slaves to find freedom in the North.
• *States' Rights*: The idea that states have the power to govern themselves and make their own laws.
  • Example: The Southern states used the concept of states' rights to justify their secession from the Union.
• *Underground Railroad*: A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
  • Example: Harriet Tubman was a prominent conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping hundreds of enslaved individuals escape to freedom.
• *Nullification Crisis*: A conflict between the federal government and a state that refused to enforce a federal law.
  • Example: The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 occurred when South Carolina refused to enforce the Tariff of 1832, leading to a confrontation with the federal government.
• *Manifest Destiny*: The idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory and spread its influence across North America.
  • Example: The Mexican-American War was fought under the banner of Manifest Destiny, as the United States sought to expand its territory and spread its influence.
• *Abolitionism*: The movement to end the institution of slavery in the United States.
  • Example: Harriet Tubman was a prominent abolitionist, using her experiences as an escaped slave to help others escape to freedom.
• *Secession*: The act of a state or territory leaving the United States and forming its own government.
  • Example: Several Southern states seceded from the Union in 1860-1861, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854, but it was actually the Missouri Compromise that was repealed.
  • Correction: The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing new states to decide their own slavery policies.
• What students often get wrong: The Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling was a major victory for the abolitionist movement.
  • Correction: The Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling actually solidified the institution of slavery and denied slaves their rights as citizens.
• What students often get wrong: The Underground Railroad was a secret network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the South.
  • Correction: The Underground Railroad was actually a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in the lead-up to the Civil War. Be sure to include the perspectives of both pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups.
  • Evidence: The Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Missouri Compromise, the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling, the House Divided Speech, and the violence in Kansas.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling on the institution of slavery in the United States. Be sure to include the perspectives of both slave owners and abolitionists.
  • Evidence: The Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling, the Fugitive Slave Act, the Underground Railroad, and the abolitionist movement.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the role of sectionalism in the lead-up to the Civil War. Be sure to include the perspectives of both Northern and Southern states.
  • Evidence: The Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Missouri Compromise, the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling, the House Divided Speech, and the secession of several Southern states.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main issue addressed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
   • Correct answer: The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed new states to decide their own slavery policies.
   • Explanation: The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a major factor in the lead-up to the Civil War, as it allowed new states to decide their own slavery policies, further dividing the country.
2. Who was the main figure behind the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling?
   • Correct answer: Roger Taney
   • Explanation: Roger Taney was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who delivered the majority opinion in the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling.
3. What was the purpose of the Underground Railroad?
   • Correct answer: The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
   • Explanation: The Underground Railroad was a key part of the abolitionist movement, as it provided a means for enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854, but it was actually the Missouri Compromise that was repealed.
• The Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling was a major victory for the abolitionist movement.
• The Underground Railroad was a secret network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the South.
• The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed new states to decide their own slavery policies.
• The Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling solidified the institution of slavery and denied slaves their rights as citizens.
• The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
• The House Divided Speech was delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1858.
• The secession of several Southern states led to the formation of the Confederate States of America.
• The Civil War began in 1861 and lasted until 1865.
• The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.