Causes of the Civil War

Missouri Compromise

• Missouri entered the Union as a slave state

• Maine entered the Union as a free state

• Also stated that all states admitted to the Union north of 36 30’ line would be a free state

Compromise of 1850

• California was admitted as a free state

• Slave trade abolished in Washington, DC

• Stronger slave laws were passed to help slave owners recapture runaways

Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Allowed Kansas and Nebraska to be admitted as free sovereignty states

• Voted to decide if they would be free or slave states

• Led to pro and anti slavery movements in Kansas

Economic Reasons

• South relied on slavery– Slaves had no property

and no property rights• North abolished the

slave trade– Large population of free

AA– Free AA could own

property and had some rights

Social Reasons

• Religion drew slaves together on plantations– Communicated

through spiritual songs

• Racism developed in the north and south

Slavery

• North– Illegal since the

Revolution– Abolition societies and

the underground railroad• South– Slaves viewed as property

and labor supply– Considered a state’s

rights issue

Henry Clay

• Senator from Kentucky

• Known as ‘The Great Compromiser’

• Sponsored the Missouri Compromise

• Sponsored the Compromise of 1850

John C Calhoun

• South Carolina Senator

• Favored state’s rights• Opposed higher

tariffs

Daniel Webster

• Senator from Massachusetts

• Known as ‘The Great Orator’

• Tried to create compromises to delay the start of the Civil War

Assignment

• Copy and answer the following questions:1. What two states entered the Union as a result of the

Missouri Compromise? Were they admitted as free or slave states?

2. What compromise admitted California as a free state?3. What is a ‘free sovereignty’ state?4. How did the south view slaves?5. Who was known as ‘The Great Compromiser’?6. Which senator opposed higher tariffs? 7. What senator was known as ‘The Great Orator’?