Causes of Civil War

The main causes of the Civil War is a national bank, extension of slavery, taxes, and internal improvements. The North and South had different opinions on these matters.

Lincoln Inauguration

Lincoln took oath on March 4, 1861. He said the he would try to disperse slavery to the point that it would not exist in the US.

Confederacy is Formed

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas were the states that formed the Confederacy. This is known as the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was chosen to be the president for the Confederate States of America. Alexander H. Stephens was chosen to be the vice president.

South Carolina Secedes from the Union

South Carolina did not want Abraham Lincoln to become president. They sent a warning saying that if Lincoln was elected, then they would leave the Union. There was a National Convention held and the issue was dissolved, so South Carolina never left the Union.

John Brown's Raid

John Brown was an abolitionist that made up a plan to try and rebel against slavery. He and eighteen other men intercepted a cart full of weapons and ammunition. He captured and killed confederate troops. Brown was charged with treason and was hanged.

Compromise of 1850

was similar to the missouri compromise. Slave states wanted to expand slavery throughout the Louisiana Purchase. Congress did not approve of such an act. The South threatened to suscede from the union.

A New Sectional Interest

In the 1600's slavery was introduced to America. Blacks weren't just found in the US like Native Americans were. White slave hunters went to Africa and brought back thousands of African Black people. These blacks were forced against their will to come to the US. They were chained and handcuffed to each so that none of them could escaped. These slaves were needed for cheap labor, but were sold for a lot of money. By 1760, Southern colonies had about 300,000 slaves and in the Middle Colonies and New England there was 100,000 slaves.