What key issues led to the Civil War? (SS8H6a)
North’s viewpoint
Issue
South’s viewpoint
Against
Slavery
Favored
Against
States’ rights/Nullification
Favored
Favored High tariffs so northern goods
would be cheaper than imports
Tariffs
Against high tariffs because the south
bought more imported goods
Favored
Missouri Compromise
(Compromise of 1820)
Favored admitting California as a free
state and ending slave trading in
Washington, DC
Against
Compromise of 1850
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Realized territory in the west would have to
become part of USA, then more land would
be open for slavery
Agreed to compromise because New
Mexico could decide whether it would be
slave or free and wanted fugitive slave act
Favored
Explanation/Definition of Key Issues
Slavery – One group of people owning another group of people for a specific purpose.
Ex: White Americans in the south had Africans as slaves. The Egyptians enslaved the
Hebrews in the Bible.
States’ Rights – The belief that a state can pass laws on certain issues if there are no
laws about it in the U.S. Constitution. Ex: slavery was a states’ rights issue b/c the U.S.
Constitution didn’t say it was illegal.
Nullification – States deciding to follow laws in the U.S. Constitution they don’t agree
with.
Missouri Compromise – Maine became a free state and Missouri became a slave state.
Also, slavery was prohibited below Missouri’s southern border.
Compromise of 1850 – Here are the components of the Compromise of 1850 (Write
this) – Calif. admitted as a free state, territories of New Mexico and Utah could choose
slavery, Fugitive Slave Act passed, and slave trading outlawed in the District of Columbia
Kansas – Nebraska Act – Territories of Kansas and Nebraska could decide for
themselves if they would allow slavery or not. This overturned the Missouri Compromise.
Dred Scott Case – Ruling by the U.S. Supreme court that slaves were not citizens and
could not file lawsuits.