A guide intended to help you understand the causes of the war and how they
may have shaped Reconstruction, 1865-1877
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The 1819 application for statehood by the
Missouri Territory sparked a bitter debate in
Congress over the issue of slavery in the new
territories that had been created as a result of
the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
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Concerned that the South would
have a representational
advantage, Congressman James
Tallmadge of New York
introduced a bill that would
prohibit any further growth of
slavery in Missouri, and would
eventually set the children of
Missouri's slaves free.
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The bill passed in the House but
failed to pass the Senate.
Leaders of the slave South were
appalled by Tallmadge’s efforts;
Sen. John C. Calhoun predicted
that unless slavery were more
formally sanctioned and
protected by the federal
government, the union would
eventually dissolve.
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The issue was resolved with a two-part compromise.
First, the northern part of Massachusetts became Maine and
was admitted to the Union as a free state at the same time
that Missouri was admitted as a slave state, thereby
maintaining a balance of 12 slave and 12 free states.
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Second, a line was drawn at 36 degrees 30 minutes north
latitude, and any portions of the Louisiana Territory lying
north of the compromise line would be free. But the
compromise provided that fugitive slaves "escaping into
any... state or territory of the United States...may be lawfully
reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her
labour or service." And even in the free territories, "slavery
and involuntary servitude ... in the punishment of crimes"
was not prohibited.
South of 36/30, slavery was permitted.
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What do they mean?
How did white Southerners – masters, in
particular – interpret them?
How did the rise of abolitionism in the North
affect such Southerners?
Why did the rebellions occur in these
particular years?
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Why did the federal government pursue this
policy?
How was the policy related to slavery?
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There are conflicting visions of the “just”
society and social order in the North & South.
This conflict informs the debate over slavery
expansion prior to the Civil War.
Most of the new territory west of the
Mississippi River comes to the U.S. as a result
of its War with Mexico in the 1840s.
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Slavery traditionally kept out of politics
Congressional power over slavery includes
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setting conditions to accept territories as states
forbidding slavery in new states
Mexican Cession of 1848 directly raises the
question of slavery in new territory
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Mexican War mobilizes antislavery groups
Antislavery – Free-Soilism – is not the same as
Abolitionism
Very few Northerners were abolitionists – less than 1%,
in fact.
Wilmot Proviso of 1846 seeks to outlaw slavery in the
new territories gained from Mexico. Why? To ban black
Americans, and thereby to preserve the new territories
for white farmers.
This encapsulates the politics of Abraham Lincoln – see
Hofstadter.
Proviso passes in House, fails in Senate
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Taylor proposes admitting California and
New Mexico as states immediately
The White South reacts angrily
Proposed Nashville convention prompts the
possibility of Southern secession
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Henry Clay’s compromise package
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California admitted as a free state
slave trade, but not slavery, prohibited in District
of Columbia
strong fugitive slave law
enlarged New Mexico/Utah territory will be
admitted on basis of “popular sovereignty”
This overturns the territorial ban on slavery
enacted by the Missouri Compromise, therby
enraging “Free-Soilers”
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Whigs and Democrats manage controversy in
1850
But the territorial question destroys both
parties in 1850s
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1854--Stephen Douglas introduces KansasNebraska bill
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apply popular sovereignty to Kansas, Nebraska
Formal repeal Missouri Compromise line
Act passes on sectional vote
Most Northerners outraged
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Mass defection among Northern Democrats
“Anti-Nebraska” candidates sweep North in
1854 congressional elections
Democrats become sole Southern party
Republican Party is organized
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Republican party unites former Whigs, KnowNothings, Free-Soilers, Democrats
Appeals to Northern sectional sympathies
Defends West for white, small farmers
“Bleeding Kansas” helps Republicans
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struggle among abolitionists, proslavery forces
for control of Kansas territory
Republicans use conflict to appeal for voters
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Republican John C. Frémont seeks votes only
in free states
Democrat James Buchanan defends the
Compromise of 1850, carries election
Republicans make clear gains in North
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Sectional quarrel becomes virtually
irreconcilable under Buchanan
Growing sense of deep cultural differences,
opposing interests between North and South
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Major Protestant denominations divide into
northern and southern entities over slavery
Southern literature romanticizes plantation life
South seeks intellectual, economic
independence
Northern intellectuals condemn slavery
Uncle Tom's Cabin an immense success in North
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Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857): Supreme Court
can decide on slavery in the territories
Court refuses narrow determination of case
Major arguments
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Scott has no right to sue because neither he nor any
other black person, slave or free, a citizen
Congress has no authority to prohibit slavery in
territories, Missouri Compromise unconstitutional
Ruling strengthens Republicans
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Lincoln, in 1858 race for the U.S. Senate:
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decries “Southern plot” to extend slavery
promises to work for slavery’s extinction
casts slavery as a moral problem
defends white supremacy in response to Douglas
Douglas accuses Lincoln of favoring equality
Lincoln loses election, gains national
reputation
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October, 1859--John Brown raids Harper’s
Ferry
Brown executed, mourned as martyr by
abolitionists
Republicans seen as radical abolitionists
Most white Southerners convinced they must
secede on election of Republican president
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Party splits
Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas
Southern Democrat John Breckenridge
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Candidate John Bell
Promises compromise between North and
South
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Abraham Lincoln nominated
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Platform to widen party’s appeal
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home state of Illinois crucial to election
seen as moderate
free homesteads for small, white farmers
Lincoln wins by carrying North, mostly on a
campaign grounded in “Free Soil, Free Labor,
Free Men”
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Republicans a strict sectional party
Fundamental conflict of values
Southern values
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paternalism, generosity, white supremacy
slavery defended on the grounds of race
Northern values
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Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men
each person free and responsible
slavery tyrannical and immoral
White supremacy
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What are they?