Slavery Divides the Nation

I. Cotton GinCauseEli Whitney hopes to end slavery by inventing a machine that cleans cotton.

EffectDemand for cotton increases.Cotton production increases.Slavery increases.Sectional Tensions!

II. Mexican Session

Cause Defeat of Mexico provides the U.S.A. with new territories in the West.

EffectQuestions about slavery in the territories arise. (Comp. Of 1850)North says no!South demands it!Sectional Tension deepens!

III. Missouri Compromise

CauseMissouri seeks admittance to the Union.

EffectKept power in the Senate equal between slave and free states.Slavery prohibited north of Miss. Comp. LineSectional Tensions!

IV. Compromise of 1850

CauseCalifornia seeks admittance to the Union.

EffectAllowed slavery north of 36th parallel. NORTH ANGRY!Passed a stricter fugitive slave law.Sectional Tensions!

V. Uncle Tom’s Cabin

CauseAbolitionists oppose slavery.

EffectEnraged and disgusted northerners.Angered SouthernersDeepened sectional tensions.

VI. Kansas – Nebraska Act

CauseSoutherners hope to see slavery in the new territories.Missouri Compromise repealed.

EffectSlavery in the territories left to residents (popular sovereignty).Violence breaks out in Kansas between the pro-slavery & anti-slavery factions.Sectional Tensions!

VII. Dred Scott Decision

CauseScott wanted to be free.Racism associated with Slavery.

EffectDecision declared slaves did not have rights of citizens; Slaves = property.Slavery is allowed in the territories.Sectional tensions intensify.

IX. Lincoln-Douglass Debates

Cause 1858 Senatorial Campaign.Both are from mid-west; have a concern over slavery in the territories.

EffectDouglass loses support of South.Lincoln’s political views are put on display.

X. John Brown’s Raid

CauseMore people in the north and west oppose slavery.Brown is an abolitionist

EffectJohn Brown is hung for treason.The North makes a hero out of him.The South sees him as a villain.Sectional Tensions!

John Brown, John Brown….

Harper’s Ferry, Virginia

XI. Election of 1860

Cause Buchanan (PA) does not seek reelection.Issue of Slavery has divided our nation.

EffectLincoln Wins.Southern States secede – feared losing slavery.North prepares for war.Sets stage for Ft. Sumter.

XII. Southern Secession

CauseElection of 1860.Lincoln & North’s view of slavery.

EffectNorth would go to war to preserve the Union.South would fight to stay out of the Union.

XIII. Fort Sumter

CauseSouthern SecessionSectional Controversy

EffectFirst shots fired in the American Civil War. Confederates claim an early victory over the Union.

VIII. Sectional Controversy

CausePolitical, economic and social differencesEVERYTHING ELSE!!

EffectCivil War!