The American Civil War The Success of the “Great Experiment” Before 1861, the history of the United States had been in many ways a remarkable success story. The small, predominantly English settlements of the early seventeenth century expanded rapidly, so much so that by the end of the eighteenth century they had been able to win independence from Britain The United States, which in 1776 had controlled only a narrow strip of land along the Atlantic seaboard, expanded westwards. In 1802–3, the United States doubled in size when it purchased the Louisiana territory from France By 1860, the original 13 states had increased to 33 and the nation extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 1620-1860.. By 1860, white Americans enjoyed a better standard of living than any other people on earth. Prosperity and the rapidly expanding economy attracted large-scale immigration. In 1860, the USA had a population of 31 million people (slightly more than Britain); 4 million were foreignborn Pilgrim Fathers, in American colonial history, settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, the first permanent colony in New England (1620). The Success of the “Great Experiment” The USA’s political system – republican, federal and democratic – was the pride of most Americans and the envy of most British and European radicals. By the mid-nineteenth century, many Americans considered themselves to be the world’s most civilised and fortunate people. True or False? Use your exercise book to vote cover = false inside = true English settlements of the early seventeenth century expanded rapidly. By the end of the eighteenth century they had been able to win independence from Britain In 1802–3, the United States tripled in size The USA doubled in size as a result of buying the Louisiana territory from Britain By 1860, many white Americans enjoyed a better standard of living Prosperity and the rapidly weakening economy attracted large-scale immigration. By 1860, the original 13 states had increased to 30 By 1860, The nation had expanded from the Atlantic to the Pacific By the late 15th century, many Americans considered themselves to be the world’s most civilised and fortunate people. A republic is a form of government without a monarch A federal government is when states combine to deal with home affairs Ever since English colonists first settled in Virginia and Massachusetts, the History of America has been one of westward expansion A vast Spanish empire existed in California! Page 14 for map During the early history of the Republic, the North American continent was the scene of colonial competition between the USA and several European powers What impact did westward expansion have on the USA? Britain still controlled Canada and the Oregon territory. Russia controlled the Alaskan Coast France controlled vast lands of the west of Mississippi The foundations of the United States 1776-1803 During the last quarter of the 18th century, 13 of Britain’s colonies in North America rebelled against British rule. In the course the rebellion, a major war occurred in which France, Holland and Spain joined the American colonists in the fight against Britain. By 1783, the British had agreed to American independence. From the war with Britain until the beginning of the 19th century, the newly independent colonies laid the foundations of the United States. Initially colonies were formed into a loose confederation. In 1787, in Philadelphia, the US Constitution was drawn up. It was ratified by 9 states by 1788. In 1791, all 13 colonies had agreed to the Constitution – which has stood the test of time. It forms the foundation stone of the US political system. The subsequent history of the United States is inextricably linked to the interpretation of what was decided in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 Task Page 14 1)How did the United States begin to expand West? 2) Western Expansion was seen as a God given right to the American’s. Give some examples of ways they achieved this but at a cost… Bought Louisiana off France in 1803 Task Based on what we have learned today, make up a 10 question quiz and quiz your partner. Highlight the sentences which linkthe to the vote? following factors: Why did women want Economic Social Political Challenge: Can you think of any other reasons to add to why women wanted the vote The move westward also had a major impact on the East. With every new admission of a state to the Union, the issue on whether is should be a free or slave state had to be addressed. Women have to obey laws equally with men and they should be able to have a say in how the law is made. Women have to pay taxes and so should be able to vote If women had the vote they could improve their lives by being able to vote for members of Parliament who would change their situation. All the most important and highest paid jobs have been denied to women. It was important that women were treated as equals to men. Starter… guess the causes of the American Civil War. Click on each image to find out more. Sectionalism By 1860 America the North and South were very different places. They had different outlooks, landscapes, economies and different values. Even some Southerners disagreed with slavery but felt strongly that Northerners and the Federal Government did not have the right to interfere with how their state was run. The North feared that the country was being led by influential Southerners in Congress and the Supreme Court Guess where each of the images below belongs, North or South, then click on the images to reveal the answer. Union Confederacy State’s Rights before Federal States’ Rights Republicans Hunting Industrial Agrarian Railroad Westward Expansion There had been an uneasy truce between the North and South before 1820. In the seats of government ( the Senate ) power was finely balanced between Free States and Slave States. This ensured that neither section held more power than the other. Westward expansion would threaten this balance of power. Manifest destiny and the call to ‘Go West Young Man’ was heard, settlers went west. As new territory opened up it had to be decided if it would be ‘free’ or ‘slave’. The 1854 Kansas Nebraska Act would crank up tensions and push the United States closer to civil war. 1820 1850 1854 1854 Missouri Compromise Compromise Kansas – Nebraska Act ‘Bleeding Kansas’ Missouri formed as a slave state but made slavery illegal in the North. California enters as a free state. Fugitive slave law says escaped slaves found in the North must be returned to the South. These new territories to decide if free or slave based on popular sovereignty – voted by those who settled there. ‘Pro slavers’ and ‘Free Soilers’ rushed in to settle Kansas. Led to widespread violence and murder in this ‘proxy war’. Undid 1820 Compromise. The Secession Following his election in 1860, President Abraham Lincoln tried to reassure the South that he had no plans to abolish slavery. This reassurance was not enough. South Carolina had a history of threatening to break away from the United States – but it was still a surprise when they voted in favour to secession. South Carolina called for other slave states to join them. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas did. On April 12, the Confederates opened fire on the Federal garrison at Fort Sumter. War had begun. Lincoln called for volunteers to put down the Southern rebellion. Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee, believing that Lincoln had acted beyond his presidential power then joined the Confederacy. November 6th 1869 Lincoln Elected As President Dec 20th , 1860 South Caroline Secedes April 12th, 1861 Confederates Attack Fort Sumter Southerners see this as a Northern attack on their way of life. Six other states soon join South Carolina in breaking away from the USA. President Lincoln refuses to accept they have the right to secede. The war has begun and battle lines drawn. States decide which side they will fight for. A few stay out at first. The 1860 Election Abraham Lincoln was not expected to win the presidential election of 1860. However, the Democrat Party split and opted to field two candidates, one in the North and one in the South. This decision effectively handed the presidency to Lincoln. Lincoln was openly against the expansion of slavery but said he would not interfere with it where it already existed. Southerners saw Lincoln’s victory as a direct attack on slavery from the North. Many important southern Democrats actually wanted their party to lose. It was an excuse for them to leave the Union. And they believed that secession would be peaceful. One Fire-Eater [ proslavery extremist ] once said, "You could slap a Yankee and he'll sue you, but he won't fight back," and that was their assumption. So actually, on election night when news arrived to Charleston that Lincoln had won, there were celebrations, fireworks and bonfires. www.usanew.com The Abolitionists William Garrison A journalist who edited the anti-slavery newspaper ‘The Liberator’ ‘I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD’ Harriet Tubman Born into slavery and badly beaten Harriet escaped from slavery – before returning many times to help dozens more escape to freedom. “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” Frederick Douglass Escaped from slavery before devoting his life to giving eloquent speeches and writing powerful accounts against the evils of slavery. “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs” John Brown He tried to raise an army to free slaves in Virginia. He was executed for treason after leading 21 others on a raid to capture weapons from the government. I have only a short time to live, only one death to die, and I will die fighting for this cause’. Abolitionists were people who actively worked to put an end (abolish) slavery. Abolitionists took many forms ; Northerners, Southerners, male, female, white and black. They used various methods to help bring an end to slavery from political speeches, helping slaves escape, writing books and even with armed force. The growth and influence of the abolitionist movement infuriated pro-slavers and led to raised tensions.