Short Term Causes of the Civil War. Setting the Stage In 1819 there are 11 Free States in the North and 11 Slave States in the South Representation in.

Short Term Causes of the Civil War

Setting the Stage

• In 1819 there are 11 Free States in the North and 11 Slave States in the South

• Representation in Congress is balanced• BUT…– New states wanted to be added– should they be free or slave? – Which side will get more power in government?

Missouri Compromise

• Developed by Henry Clay• Tried to keep balance between number of free

and slave states in govt. (wanted same number of representatives)

• Missouri was added as slave state• Maine was added as a free state• Imaginary line drawn at 36’30 (north of line

was free territory, south of line was slave)

Missouri Compromise

Compromise of 1850

• California wanted to enter as free state- this would upset the balance in govt.

• Compromise allowed California to enter as a free state

• Utah and New Mexico use popular sovereignty (vote) on slavery

• Slave trade in Washington D.C. would be ended- no new slaves imported

• Strict Fugitive Slave law to capture runaway slaves

Compromise of 1850

Fugitive Slave Act

• Made it a crime to help runaway slaves and allowed police to arrest suspected fugitive slaves

• Slaves not allowed to testify at their own trial• Judges paid more to find slaves guilty ($5

innocent, $10 guilty)

Fugitive Slave Act

Kansas-Nebraska

• Divided land into states Kansas and Nebraska• Each state would vote on whether or not to

allow slavery• Elections were corrupt and violent • “Bleeding Kansas”– Bloodshed over slavery issues- predicts the battles

of the civil war

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Bleeding Kansas

Dred Scott

• Slave that moved with his owner to the free state Wisconsin

• When his owner died, Dred Scott sued for his freedom

• Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens, had no legal rights

• Unconstitutional to prevent slavery- govt. could not control a person’s property

Dred Scott

Election of 1860

• Lincoln wins presidential election- would not end slavery, but would not allow it to expand to new states

• South worried about way of life and began secession- formally leaving the country

• South Carolina first to leave, followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana

Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln

Secession