Civil War
Background:
USA are divided into North and South by different economical systems
North: industry, banking, international trade, expanding railway network
South: manly agriculture (cotton, little rice, sugar, tobacco), rather poor railway connections
A conflict rises:
1800 - 1840: cotton production rises by factor 18 (approx. 300 million kg per year)
T slaves are used as cheap workers
T expansion of state area necessary, because cotton monoculture exhausted the soil
T South: pro slavery attitude: 'not responsible for it, cultural habit', 'more humane under slavery system than under the northern wages system'
Northern antislavery movement:
1808: Congress abolishes slave trade with Africa
afterwards antislavery-protest maintained by Quakers
1831: Garrison publishes 'The Liberator'
appeals for uncompromising and complete liberation
radical, combative, uncompromising
'Underground Railroad'(Northerners freed slaves from the South)
1820: Missouri Compromise (slavery was limited to states where it already existed)
1845: Texas annexed (always had slavery)
1846: USA expand westwards (California, Utah, New Mexico)
conflict about slavery issue:
T extent Missouri Compromise to the West?
T let the new states decide ('popular sovereignty')
1848: gold rush in California
T slavery issue had to be solved, before new government could be established
1850: Compromise of 1850
free soil constitution in California
New Mexico and Utah organised without mention of slavery
more effective machinery to catch runaways
T Northerners improve Underground Railroad
no slave trade in D.C., but still slavery
relieve of political situation, but no solution
1852: North influenced by 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'
1854: quarrel renewed, because Kansas and Nebraska were being settled
T it was permitted to bring slaves into these states, but they were free to decide about slavery issue
Lincoln holds speech against slavery ('The slavery issue has to be decided by the whole USA, not by single states)
1858: Lincoln candidate for US Senate election
lost election, but became famous with speeches
1860: wins president election for the young Republican party
T South Carolina leaves Union
T 6 other southern states follow
1861 (8.2.): South forms Confederate States of America and vote Jefferson Davis as their
president
Civil War begins:
1861: (4.3.): Lincoln was sworn in as president
refused to recognise secession of southern states (legally void)
plea to restore the Union
T Confederates begin war against the Union on April 12
T 4 new states join Confederation
Union: 23 industry states, population of 22 million; naval supremacy of east American coast (sea blockade); famous commander: Ulysses S. Grant
Confederation: 11 agricultural states, population of 9 million; famous commander: Robert E. Lee
1863: (1.1.): Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
T freeing slaves; inviting them to join northern army
July: 3-day-battle in Gettysburg
T Lee's army was defeated
T major turning point in war
T southern resources near by their end
T northern industry improved by war, agricultural export improved by sea blockade
1864: Lincoln is voted president again
1865: (2.4.) Lee surrenders
T terms of surrender not too strict as America is still one nation
After War Policy:
March: 13th amendment to US constitution (abolishes slavery and introduces Freedman's bureau)
4.4.:Lincoln's speech proclaiming a generous reconstruction policy
13.4.: Washington celebrates victory
14.4: Lincoln assassinated, died next morning
T Andrew Johnson new president
Southern-states-issue: Lincoln: secession never was legal
T states never left union
T southern individuals made states disregard authority, only individuals should be punished
Johnson appoints governors for southern states, then they elect their own governments
1866: 14th Amendment (blacks gain citizenship)
T refused by the South
Reconstruction act of March 1867
T southern governments are ignored and are divided into 5 districts placed under military rule
T states could avoid military rule by ratifying the 14th amendment
1868: 14th Amendment is ratified by all States
1870: 15th Amendment (the right to vote for everyone)
Reconstruction:
T many southern States rejoined Union with new governments, mainly consisting of northern politicians
T Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi: mainly black politicians
acts of violence by southern whites
T Enforcement Act: punishment for whites ignoring the blacks' rights
1872 (May): Amnesty Act: restoring full political privileges (except radical confederates)
1877: President Rutherford Hayes removes troops and admits failure of reconstruction policy
Source material: 'AN OUTLINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY'; photos and maps: U.S. Civil War Center (
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