Chickamauga and Chattanooga
The battle of Chickamauga, and the city of Chattanooga, were very important in order for the Union to keep proceeding south. The battle of Chickamauga was the first major battle of the Civil War that was fought in Georgia. What happened was the Union troops established a foothold in Chattanooga, and then they proceeded the travel south across mountainous terrain to Chickamauga. Here, there was a two day battle which resulted in a Union loss. However, the Union's retreat was much easier and less stressful for the troops because the "Rock of Chickamauga" (George H. Thomas) stubbornly held a position atop a hill while everyone else retreated. This was important because Union soldiers did not have to worry or stress when they traveled back to Chattanooga. The city of Chattanooga was very important because it served as a supply center for the Atlanta Campaign. Before the Union was able to take over this city, they were trapped in it. The army was stranded until General Grant was able to open up a supply line into the city. This allowed troops to continue south because they now had provisions that were necessary.
http://www.chickamaugachase.com/images/Battle-Chickamauga.jpg
The Union's Blockade of Georgia's Coast
After the Union established major supply centers in Georgia, they went on to blockade Georgia's coast. This was part of General Scott's plan to defeat the North (Anaconda Plan). They did this because Georgia had many valuable ports like Savannah, and by cutting these ports off, the Union could reduce the supplies given to the Confederate troops. Instead of fighting the Union's blockade, General Lee decided not to waste troops there. He thought that he should use more troops where they are needed most, instead of fighting the blockade. The Mass. 54th looted and destroyed the town of Darien, when the Union was trying to secure Georgia's coast. After this, the regiment attacked Fort Wagner, but they were defeated. This regiment was very skilled at fighting and impressive. All of the men in the regiment were African American, and this was the first major battle blacks fought in. Even though they were excellent soldiers, around half of their men were killed, injured, or captured. The Union's blockade of Georgia's coast was very important in the outcome of the war.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Scott-anaconda.jpg/300px-Scott-anaconda.jpg
Monday, January 27, 2014
Gettysburg
Gettysburg- The Turning Point of the War
The battle of Gettysburg was a very important event that influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Before this battle, Lee had many hopes when he invaded the North. His first hope was that if the Confederacy won the battle, it would force the North to call for peace. Another hope that Lee had was that the South would receive foreign intervention or aid, from European countries. Lee also thought that if the South won the battle of Gettysburg, it would completely destroy the Union army. Finally, General Lee hoped to capture a major northern city. He thought that this would make the North want to call for peace, because he would then have a strategic point from which he could launch attacks. However, the outcome of the battle was very different from what Lee had hoped. The Confederate troops were forced to retreat back to Virginia. This battle electrified the North, and united northerners. This was much like the Battle of Antietam, which also excited and brought together the North. Another outcome was that this battle showed that Lee's reputation of being invincible was not true. Furthermore, Lee offered his resignation but Jefferson Davis declined it. This major loss for the Confederacy also meant that the South would not get foreign recognition. In total, there were over 50,000 casualties, and one third of Lee's army was gone. The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the war.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/august/gettysburg-battle-charge-1500.jpg
The battle of Gettysburg was a very important event that influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Before this battle, Lee had many hopes when he invaded the North. His first hope was that if the Confederacy won the battle, it would force the North to call for peace. Another hope that Lee had was that the South would receive foreign intervention or aid, from European countries. Lee also thought that if the South won the battle of Gettysburg, it would completely destroy the Union army. Finally, General Lee hoped to capture a major northern city. He thought that this would make the North want to call for peace, because he would then have a strategic point from which he could launch attacks. However, the outcome of the battle was very different from what Lee had hoped. The Confederate troops were forced to retreat back to Virginia. This battle electrified the North, and united northerners. This was much like the Battle of Antietam, which also excited and brought together the North. Another outcome was that this battle showed that Lee's reputation of being invincible was not true. Furthermore, Lee offered his resignation but Jefferson Davis declined it. This major loss for the Confederacy also meant that the South would not get foreign recognition. In total, there were over 50,000 casualties, and one third of Lee's army was gone. The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the war.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/august/gettysburg-battle-charge-1500.jpg
Antietam (Sharpsburg) and the Emancipation Proclamation
Antietam (Sharpsburg)
The Battle of Antietam happened on September 17, 1862, and it was one of the first three major battles fought in the Civil War- Fort Sumter and Bull Run. This battle took place in Maryland when Robert E. Lee decided to invade the North because they had momentum and confidence from winning the past battle, however his army was still exhausted from the fight. The Union had the "upper-hand" in this battle because of two things. One was that the Union had a lot more soldiers to fight. Also, the Union army found a copy of the Confederate's orders. Another important factor in this battle was that if the South won, they might have gotten recognition from Britain and France. This would mean that the Confederacy may have been aided by these countries, and have received war supplies. However, after thirteen hours of fighting, the two sides remained practically in the same spots that they started in. Over 22,000 men died in the fight (12,000-Union, 10,000-Confederacy). It was the bloodiest singe day of battle in history. After the battle, Lincoln decided to remove General McClellan from command because he was not aggressive enough and he did not pursue the weakened Confederate troops. Even though no side technically won the battle, Lincoln chose to give the Emancipation Proclamation.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/Antietam-fence.jpg
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was effective on January 1, 1863. President Lincoln gave this executive order after the battle of Antietam. This law said that all slaves that were in states who fought against the Union, would be free once the land they were in was conquered. All slaves that escaped or were in conquered rebel states would be free. However, not all slaves were immediately emancipated and this was because of four main reasons. The first reason was that Lincoln wanted to keep the support of the border states. If Lincoln was reckless with his order, it could result in the states joining the Confederacy. The second reason was that the Constitution had protections about slavery in it. The third reason was that there were many prejudices of northerners. If Lincoln spoke out on slavery too much, it may anger some northerners. This would decrease the support for the war. The last reason was that Lincoln feared that if he acted too soon on slavery, he would not be reelected. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the Union another reason to fight, but it did not immediately free all slaves.
http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/29/ep_custom-ff965152bd527d5c6437f3a038aebf0ec33b3cb5.jpg
The Battle of Antietam happened on September 17, 1862, and it was one of the first three major battles fought in the Civil War- Fort Sumter and Bull Run. This battle took place in Maryland when Robert E. Lee decided to invade the North because they had momentum and confidence from winning the past battle, however his army was still exhausted from the fight. The Union had the "upper-hand" in this battle because of two things. One was that the Union had a lot more soldiers to fight. Also, the Union army found a copy of the Confederate's orders. Another important factor in this battle was that if the South won, they might have gotten recognition from Britain and France. This would mean that the Confederacy may have been aided by these countries, and have received war supplies. However, after thirteen hours of fighting, the two sides remained practically in the same spots that they started in. Over 22,000 men died in the fight (12,000-Union, 10,000-Confederacy). It was the bloodiest singe day of battle in history. After the battle, Lincoln decided to remove General McClellan from command because he was not aggressive enough and he did not pursue the weakened Confederate troops. Even though no side technically won the battle, Lincoln chose to give the Emancipation Proclamation.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/Antietam-fence.jpg
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was effective on January 1, 1863. President Lincoln gave this executive order after the battle of Antietam. This law said that all slaves that were in states who fought against the Union, would be free once the land they were in was conquered. All slaves that escaped or were in conquered rebel states would be free. However, not all slaves were immediately emancipated and this was because of four main reasons. The first reason was that Lincoln wanted to keep the support of the border states. If Lincoln was reckless with his order, it could result in the states joining the Confederacy. The second reason was that the Constitution had protections about slavery in it. The third reason was that there were many prejudices of northerners. If Lincoln spoke out on slavery too much, it may anger some northerners. This would decrease the support for the war. The last reason was that Lincoln feared that if he acted too soon on slavery, he would not be reelected. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the Union another reason to fight, but it did not immediately free all slaves.
http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/29/ep_custom-ff965152bd527d5c6437f3a038aebf0ec33b3cb5.jpg
Friday, January 17, 2014
First Battles of the Civil War-Ft. Sumter and Bull Run
Fort Sumter and Bull Run
Fort Sumter was the first official battle of the Civil War, and it occurred on April 12, 1861. What happened at the battle of Fort Sumter was the Union controlled the fort, and wanted to send fresh supplies to the troops in the fort. However, since the fort was in South Carolina, the first state to secede because of the Election of 1860, the fort was technically in the South's land. Because of this, the Confederacy said that the Union could not send supplies there, and they bombed the ships sending the supplies. This started the Civil War. This battle also united northerners which was very significant. A few months after this battle, another major battle occurred on July 21, 1861 and this was the battle of Bull Run. Thirty thousand Union troops marched to Bull Run Creek in Virginia where Confederate troops were stationed. The Union almost won the battle, but Stonewall Jackson's reinforcements came in time to secure a victory for the South. The Federates fled to Washington D.C. while suffering 3,000 casualties. The South only suffered 2,000 casualties but this was a larger percentage of their whole army than the North's. This battle showed people in the North that the South would not give up easily, and that the Union had overestimated the strength and superiority of their armed forces.
http://www.charlestonbatterytour.com/fort-sumter-fire.jpg
Fort Sumter was the first official battle of the Civil War, and it occurred on April 12, 1861. What happened at the battle of Fort Sumter was the Union controlled the fort, and wanted to send fresh supplies to the troops in the fort. However, since the fort was in South Carolina, the first state to secede because of the Election of 1860, the fort was technically in the South's land. Because of this, the Confederacy said that the Union could not send supplies there, and they bombed the ships sending the supplies. This started the Civil War. This battle also united northerners which was very significant. A few months after this battle, another major battle occurred on July 21, 1861 and this was the battle of Bull Run. Thirty thousand Union troops marched to Bull Run Creek in Virginia where Confederate troops were stationed. The Union almost won the battle, but Stonewall Jackson's reinforcements came in time to secure a victory for the South. The Federates fled to Washington D.C. while suffering 3,000 casualties. The South only suffered 2,000 casualties but this was a larger percentage of their whole army than the North's. This battle showed people in the North that the South would not give up easily, and that the Union had overestimated the strength and superiority of their armed forces.
http://www.charlestonbatterytour.com/fort-sumter-fire.jpg
Confederate/Union Strengths and Weaknesses
Union Strengths and Weaknesses
The Union had many strengths, as well as weaknesses. One of the Union's most helpful strengths was that they had a lot of men in the army. The Union had almost twice as many soldiers than the Confederacy. Another strength was that the Union had many factories to produce materials for the war like guns, ammunition, and other necessities. The Union also had many railroads which helped supply the troops a lot quicker. One last strength was that the North had a strong navy. However, the Union also had many weaknesses. One of these was that they had to conquer a very large amount of land. Also, the land was very unfamiliar to the North.
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/e/b/1/6/11949837601577375107factory_gabrielle_nowick_.svg.hi.png
http://www.revitcity.com/object_docs/1935.jpg
Confederate Strengths and Weaknesses
Like the Union, the Confederacy had many strengths and weaknesses. One of the Confederacy's most helpful strengths was that they did not have to invade any land, and they only had to defend their homeland. Also, the South had very good soldiers and generals unlike the North. The Confederacy also believed strongly in their cause, and fought strongly for it. One weakness of the Confederacy was that they did not have very many factories to produce war materials, and they did not have many railroads to ship goods to their troops. Another weakness of the South was that it had a small population (around 9 million), and half of the population was enslaved. The Confederacy did not have a strong navy as well.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/General-Lee.jpg
The Union had many strengths, as well as weaknesses. One of the Union's most helpful strengths was that they had a lot of men in the army. The Union had almost twice as many soldiers than the Confederacy. Another strength was that the Union had many factories to produce materials for the war like guns, ammunition, and other necessities. The Union also had many railroads which helped supply the troops a lot quicker. One last strength was that the North had a strong navy. However, the Union also had many weaknesses. One of these was that they had to conquer a very large amount of land. Also, the land was very unfamiliar to the North.
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/e/b/1/6/11949837601577375107factory_gabrielle_nowick_.svg.hi.png
http://www.revitcity.com/object_docs/1935.jpg
Confederate Strengths and Weaknesses
Like the Union, the Confederacy had many strengths and weaknesses. One of the Confederacy's most helpful strengths was that they did not have to invade any land, and they only had to defend their homeland. Also, the South had very good soldiers and generals unlike the North. The Confederacy also believed strongly in their cause, and fought strongly for it. One weakness of the Confederacy was that they did not have very many factories to produce war materials, and they did not have many railroads to ship goods to their troops. Another weakness of the South was that it had a small population (around 9 million), and half of the population was enslaved. The Confederacy did not have a strong navy as well.
http://www.civilwaracademy.com/images/General-Lee.jpg
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Election of 1860, Secession in Georgia, and Alexander Stephens
Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 was when Abraham Lincoln won the Presidency. President Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party (which was created in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act), and he was from Illinois. The election of President Lincoln caught the South by surprise, and angered them. The reason why this surprised them was because Abraham Lincoln was not even on the ballot in some of the southern states. Since he was not on the ballot in some states, it showed that the South almost did not even have a voice on important events, and this is what angered the southern states. South Carolina responded to the election almost at once, and they were the first state to secede from the Union. Also, Georgia would go on to secede on January 19, 1861. This election spurred the secession movement in the South.
http://www.barbdahlgren.com/wp-content/uploads/Abraham_Lincoln.jpg
Secession in Georgia, and Alexander Stephens
Georgia's Secession Convention decided that the state would secede from the Union, and this happened on January 19, 1861. There were secessionists and cooperationists who voted on whether or not to leave the Union. Secessionists wanted to secede from the Union, while cooperationists wanted to stay in the Union. The vote was in favor for secession, however it was not as unanimous in other states. Alexander Stephens was originally not sure about secession, and he supported the Compromise of 1850 (as long as the Fugitive Slave Act was passed). However, he soon realized that there was no way the state would be able to avoid secession, and he was chosen as the Vice President for the Confederacy. The South chose Alexander Stephens as Vice President because he was not originally in favor of secession. This gave the South diversity and they appealed to more people with Alexander Stephens as the Vice President of the Confederacy. It showed that if someone who originally did not want to secede but then changed his mind, that seceding was appealing.
http://www.occidentaldissent.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/alexander-stephens.jpg
The Election of 1860 was when Abraham Lincoln won the Presidency. President Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party (which was created in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act), and he was from Illinois. The election of President Lincoln caught the South by surprise, and angered them. The reason why this surprised them was because Abraham Lincoln was not even on the ballot in some of the southern states. Since he was not on the ballot in some states, it showed that the South almost did not even have a voice on important events, and this is what angered the southern states. South Carolina responded to the election almost at once, and they were the first state to secede from the Union. Also, Georgia would go on to secede on January 19, 1861. This election spurred the secession movement in the South.
http://www.barbdahlgren.com/wp-content/uploads/Abraham_Lincoln.jpg
Secession in Georgia, and Alexander Stephens
Georgia's Secession Convention decided that the state would secede from the Union, and this happened on January 19, 1861. There were secessionists and cooperationists who voted on whether or not to leave the Union. Secessionists wanted to secede from the Union, while cooperationists wanted to stay in the Union. The vote was in favor for secession, however it was not as unanimous in other states. Alexander Stephens was originally not sure about secession, and he supported the Compromise of 1850 (as long as the Fugitive Slave Act was passed). However, he soon realized that there was no way the state would be able to avoid secession, and he was chosen as the Vice President for the Confederacy. The South chose Alexander Stephens as Vice President because he was not originally in favor of secession. This gave the South diversity and they appealed to more people with Alexander Stephens as the Vice President of the Confederacy. It showed that if someone who originally did not want to secede but then changed his mind, that seceding was appealing.
http://www.occidentaldissent.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/alexander-stephens.jpg
Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott Case
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was created in 1854, when Kansas and Nebraska wanted to be admitted as states into the Union. The Union decided if the states should be slave or free states in a much different way than the Missouri Compromise intended. Remember that no slavery was allowed north of the 36 30 parallel. However, now the two states would vote on if they should allow slavery or not. This process successfully repealed the Missouri Compromise. When Kansas voted to decide if slavery was allowed or not, the state had a civil war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. In response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Republican Party was created. The party's original goal was to stop the spread of slavery, but not entirely abolish it. The Republican Party also wanted to modernize the economy. Since the states got to vote on slavery, the South became scared of losing political power in the Senate.
http://baltimoreorgan.com/organ/images/stories/afound1.JPG
Dred Scott Case
The Dred Scott Case occurred in 1857. The case was that a slave named Dred Scott lived in free states for more than two years while accompanying his owner as he traveled across the Union. Dred Scott then sued for his freedom and the case went to the Supreme Court. When the court decided on a ruling, the North was angered by it. The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott was not a citizen and therefore he could not sue anyone in court. This made northerners furious because they now saw the Supreme Court as being on the South's side (even some of the judges that ruled on the case owned slaves). The Dred Scott Case really strengthened the abolitionist movement and divided the Union even more.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2009/06/dredscott.jpg
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was created in 1854, when Kansas and Nebraska wanted to be admitted as states into the Union. The Union decided if the states should be slave or free states in a much different way than the Missouri Compromise intended. Remember that no slavery was allowed north of the 36 30 parallel. However, now the two states would vote on if they should allow slavery or not. This process successfully repealed the Missouri Compromise. When Kansas voted to decide if slavery was allowed or not, the state had a civil war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. In response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Republican Party was created. The party's original goal was to stop the spread of slavery, but not entirely abolish it. The Republican Party also wanted to modernize the economy. Since the states got to vote on slavery, the South became scared of losing political power in the Senate.
http://baltimoreorgan.com/organ/images/stories/afound1.JPG
Dred Scott Case
The Dred Scott Case occurred in 1857. The case was that a slave named Dred Scott lived in free states for more than two years while accompanying his owner as he traveled across the Union. Dred Scott then sued for his freedom and the case went to the Supreme Court. When the court decided on a ruling, the North was angered by it. The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott was not a citizen and therefore he could not sue anyone in court. This made northerners furious because they now saw the Supreme Court as being on the South's side (even some of the judges that ruled on the case owned slaves). The Dred Scott Case really strengthened the abolitionist movement and divided the Union even more.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2009/06/dredscott.jpg
The Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, and the Georgia Platform
The Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, and the Georgia Platform
Like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 was formed with the help of Henry Clay. The reason why this compromise was created was because California wanted to be included in the Union as a free state. However, this would create a disruption in the balance of free and slave states. In response to this, California did end up being a free state in the Union. Also, Texas gave up land but they also received ten million dollars. Another part of the deal was that the slave trade, but not slavery, was abolished in Washington D.C. The last, but possibly the most controversial part of the deal, was that the Fugitive Slave Act was passed. This law required that all citizens, even in the North, help return escaped slaves. If you did not do this and got caught, you were denied a trial. There was an increase in federal agents to enforce the law too. This controversial act only strengthened and bolstered the abolitionist movement in the North. Neither the North nor the South was very content with what each other received in the compromise. Finally, the Georgia Platform accepted the Compromise of 1850 as long as the North complied with the Fugitive Slave Act, and that they would not try to ban slavery in new territories or states. Like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 had components that the North and South disagreed about. This deal temporarily reduced the likelihood of the South seceding from the Union.
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/51600/51643/51643_omnibus_lg.gif
Like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 was formed with the help of Henry Clay. The reason why this compromise was created was because California wanted to be included in the Union as a free state. However, this would create a disruption in the balance of free and slave states. In response to this, California did end up being a free state in the Union. Also, Texas gave up land but they also received ten million dollars. Another part of the deal was that the slave trade, but not slavery, was abolished in Washington D.C. The last, but possibly the most controversial part of the deal, was that the Fugitive Slave Act was passed. This law required that all citizens, even in the North, help return escaped slaves. If you did not do this and got caught, you were denied a trial. There was an increase in federal agents to enforce the law too. This controversial act only strengthened and bolstered the abolitionist movement in the North. Neither the North nor the South was very content with what each other received in the compromise. Finally, the Georgia Platform accepted the Compromise of 1850 as long as the North complied with the Fugitive Slave Act, and that they would not try to ban slavery in new territories or states. Like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 had components that the North and South disagreed about. This deal temporarily reduced the likelihood of the South seceding from the Union.
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/51600/51643/51643_omnibus_lg.gif
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was proposed by Henry Clay in 1820. This compromise was made because Missouri wanted to become a slave state. However, if Missouri was admitted as a slave state, there would be more slave states than free states. This was a problem because if either side (the South or the North) had more states on their side, they would have more political power. This would result in it being easier for the side with more states to pass laws in their favor. Because of this, the compromise was made. Missouri was entered as a slave state, and Maine was created and admitted as a free state. Also, there was a line drawn called the 36 30 parallel. There was no slavery allowed north of the line, and slavery was allowed south of the line. This compromise added to the tension between the North and the South because neither one side wanted the other to have more political power. However, it helped develop a temporary solution to the problem of free and slave states being created.
http://thomaslegion.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/missouricompromiseof1820map.jpg
The Missouri Compromise was proposed by Henry Clay in 1820. This compromise was made because Missouri wanted to become a slave state. However, if Missouri was admitted as a slave state, there would be more slave states than free states. This was a problem because if either side (the South or the North) had more states on their side, they would have more political power. This would result in it being easier for the side with more states to pass laws in their favor. Because of this, the compromise was made. Missouri was entered as a slave state, and Maine was created and admitted as a free state. Also, there was a line drawn called the 36 30 parallel. There was no slavery allowed north of the line, and slavery was allowed south of the line. This compromise added to the tension between the North and the South because neither one side wanted the other to have more political power. However, it helped develop a temporary solution to the problem of free and slave states being created.
http://thomaslegion.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/missouricompromiseof1820map.jpg
Friday, January 10, 2014
Sectionalism, States' Rights, and Nullification
Sectionalism
Sectionalism means tension among regions, and thinking about your needs before everyone else's. During this time period, the North and the South had very different perspectives about economy and slavery. The North was leaning more toward a progressive society with a lot more industry. The people living in this region saw the South as stagnant and their economy was based on agriculture. The bases of regional economies varied throughout the Union. In the northeast, the economy was based on manufacturing and dairy or cattle. In the midwest, they focused on farming corn and wheat. The upper south's economy was based on tobacco, as well as corn and wheat. Finally, the lower south focused a lot on farming cotton on large slave plantations. Furthermore, the two main regions (North and South) were divided on the issue of slavery. In the North, most people were anti-slavery but not all were abolitionists. These people believed that the right to enjoy liberty is unalienable. Also, that all people should have the right to be educated. Most Northerners thought that slave owners were man-stealers, and that slavery was immoral. On the contrary, pro-slavery people believed that they were helping slaves by providing them with a place to live and food to eat (this idea was referred to as Paternalism). The North and South were very divided during this time period.
http://www.mromara.com/uploads/3/6/5/1/3651573/3676116_orig.png
States' Rights and Nullification
Another cause of the Civil War was when South Carolina decided to assert their states' rights by ignoring and nullifying the federal tariff law. The idea of states' rights is that the needs of the states come before the needs of the nation. This is like sectionalism because people in South Carolina thought that their region was better and more important than the nation. South Carolina nullified the tarrif law because they felt that it only hurt their economy. Since South Carolina has many ports, the tariff law took away a lot of money that the state could have made. When the state did nullify the law, war almost broke out when President Jackson sent troops to South Carolina. These events were very important because it showed that the South was serious, and there was a real possibility of war.
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/images/usa/south-carolina.jpg
Sectionalism means tension among regions, and thinking about your needs before everyone else's. During this time period, the North and the South had very different perspectives about economy and slavery. The North was leaning more toward a progressive society with a lot more industry. The people living in this region saw the South as stagnant and their economy was based on agriculture. The bases of regional economies varied throughout the Union. In the northeast, the economy was based on manufacturing and dairy or cattle. In the midwest, they focused on farming corn and wheat. The upper south's economy was based on tobacco, as well as corn and wheat. Finally, the lower south focused a lot on farming cotton on large slave plantations. Furthermore, the two main regions (North and South) were divided on the issue of slavery. In the North, most people were anti-slavery but not all were abolitionists. These people believed that the right to enjoy liberty is unalienable. Also, that all people should have the right to be educated. Most Northerners thought that slave owners were man-stealers, and that slavery was immoral. On the contrary, pro-slavery people believed that they were helping slaves by providing them with a place to live and food to eat (this idea was referred to as Paternalism). The North and South were very divided during this time period.
http://www.mromara.com/uploads/3/6/5/1/3651573/3676116_orig.png
States' Rights and Nullification
Another cause of the Civil War was when South Carolina decided to assert their states' rights by ignoring and nullifying the federal tariff law. The idea of states' rights is that the needs of the states come before the needs of the nation. This is like sectionalism because people in South Carolina thought that their region was better and more important than the nation. South Carolina nullified the tarrif law because they felt that it only hurt their economy. Since South Carolina has many ports, the tariff law took away a lot of money that the state could have made. When the state did nullify the law, war almost broke out when President Jackson sent troops to South Carolina. These events were very important because it showed that the South was serious, and there was a real possibility of war.
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/images/usa/south-carolina.jpg
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