Episode 9: The Better Angels of our Nature Friday, Apr 9 2010 

  1. Where did the phrase “reconstruction” come from?

The phase Reconstruction was what Abraham Lincoln used to try to bring the North and South together and restore the nation. This was created after Lincoln knew the war was coming to the end and the Union would come out on top. He wanted to get the nation back to its original state without slavery.
2. What were the purposes of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments?

The 14th and 15th Amendments were intended to reconstruct the U.S and combine the states and slaves to make one equal nation. These were referred as the Civil War Clauses. The 14th Amendment ratified of clauses like the Equal Protection Clause, it was created in 1866.While the 15th Amendment granted a right to vote regardless of a citizen’s race, color, or servitude. These two amendments were the main bills past to end the slavery era and creating equal rights for all.

 3. What were the Jim Crow laws and how did they affect the lives of southern blacks?

 The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the U.S that were used between 1876-1965. They were laws that represented the “separate but equal” quote and were segregation laws that separated white people and black people in America. This though was corrupt giving white Americans more rights, privileges, and respect. Many white people thought they were better than African Americans and this law didn’t help stop discrimination against African Americans. Examples of Jim Crow’s laws were segregation in public schools, restaurants, buses, and the U.S military. The Jim Crow laws were overruled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964

4. What did “separate but equal” mean?

This was a quote in the Civil War used for saying though not together we are equal as a human being and should be treated the same though not with one another. This was used for documents, services, companies, public facilities and more. This though at the time was not completely true to many and many did not treat all equally. At the time the African Americans and white people were separated but now after the war all had equal rights. White people excepted African Americans can be citizens but did not want to be near them. Segregation was white and black people were allowed to have the same rights like the same drinking fountain but can’t share the same one.

5. Why do we commemorate wars?

We commemorate wars to honor the families the friends and the dead them self that served in the war and gave their lives for their country. It gives respect and tries to make the losses humane as possible. It also is like a memorial to show the significance of the war and its losses and its importance in the countries history. This is a respect for the effort and priority the soldiers alive and dead gave for the cause of the war.
6. How is it important to a country and to its veterans?

It gives the countries veteran’s recognition of their importance. It also is a reminder to the country that the war was of great importance to all. Commemorating the war and its participants is important and right to do to show their losses and shows respect to their losses and casualties. It is right to memorialize the participants in wars for the country that they were important and their contribution was recognized.

Episode 8: War is All Hell Wednesday, Mar 24 2010 

  1. What was the significance, respectively, of the fall of Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond?

These 3 cities were 3 very important and essential cities to the Confederacy. When even one of their few essential cities were captured by the Union it would affect the land, food, population, and more when only one of these cities are captured because they have so few important cities. Capturing these cities would lead to the eventual Union victory so the falls of Savannah, Charleston, Richmond. The loss of these 3 cities had a major influence in the outcome of the war.

2. What was the importance of the Freedmen’s Bureau?

First the Freedmen’s Bureau was a U.S federal government agency that helped distressed refugees in the war. The Bureau was created by Abraham Lincoln called the Freedman’s Bureau Bill. It was initiated at the end of the Civil. It was important because it was a huge agency in the reconstruction of the U.S helping freed slaves. It lasted for 7 years from 1865 to 1872. The agency spent around $17,000 to help establish homes and bring food to people. They also created around 4,300 schools, 100 hospitals and help find jobs for former slaves. This agency was key in reconstructing the nation by providing housing, food, medical supplies, and even to reunite families. This helped slaves and refugees become normal citizens and were a huge part in restoring the nation

3. Compare and contrast Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address with his Second Inaugural Address.

Many think that Abrahams Lincoln’s address on the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the greatest speeches n American history. His speech regarded in two minutes human equality, quoted the Declaration of Independence, and noted that the war wasn’t just a struggle for the Union but a fight for the birth of new freedom. His speech was both motivational and a memorial for the lost at the bloody war at Gettysburg. For his inauguration speech it was a sadder and more serious and spoke of the future and the reconstruction of the nation. He told he would avoid harsh treatment to the South and how the evil of slavery was over. Both have recognition of the death of tall the soldiers in the war. But his inaugural speech was more serious and talked about the rebuilding of the nation and the treatment f the defeated South.

4. What is the theme of each?

 The quick but effective speech of the Battle of Gettysburg was a speech about the loss of the men in the horrible battle it was motivational and trying to improve the tone of the North. It is known to be one of the greatest speeches in American history. He was motivating the North to see this war as a struggle for freedom and should be supported. While this speech was trying to motivate and help the Union to understand the reason the bloodshed was occurring when all said and done his second inaugural speech was telling about the great tragedy of the war and the reconstruction of the nation. He told the people the violence was over and he wanted to finish the mess peacefully. Both these speeches were addressing the future and the past of the war.

5. How do they differ?

Both these speeches by President Abraham Lincoln were different in a few ways. His address on the battle of Gettysburg wasn’t even supposed to be a speech just a few remarks on the war which turned out to be a speech on the reasoning of the bloody war. While instead of addressing the reasoning of the war or the memorial of the men lost he gave speech on how he wanted the rest of the mess to be handled peacefully. He talked about the reconstruction of the nation and that the nation will be restored peacefully. These speeches were meant for different reasons during the war and address different parts.

Episode 7: Most Hallowed ground Friday, Mar 19 2010 

1. Who was nominated by the Democratic Party for president in 1864?

 The democratic nominee running against Abraham Lincoln was the ex general that fought for Lincoln General McClellan was the peace candidate but did not truly believe in his platforms cause. He was known as the cautious general who had let down Lincoln and was stripped and replaced.

 2. Why did Lincoln choose a Democrat for a running mate?

A big reason why President Lincoln chose a War Democrat as his running mate was to try to unite both Republicans and War Democrats. Lincoln knew that he would have a much better chance of winning the election with more votes from the Democratic Party. Andrew Johnson who was his Democratic running mate was a Southerner who was always against slavery which would get a lot of votes in the Democratic Party. Lincoln had to win to keep his position in trying to restore the United States. So Lincoln chose a Democratic running mate to spread the range of voters from both Democratic for Andrew Johnson and Republican for the President Abraham Lincoln. If not for Lincoln’s Democratic partner he could have lost the election.

 3. What did it demonstrate about the Republicans’ faith in Lincoln’s popularity?

 The Republican Party and civilians who were Republicans thought that President Lincoln was going to get blown out and not become reelected. People thought Abraham Lincoln wasn’t handling the war as well as he should and many were losing family and friends and turned the blame on the president. The people needed results saying that the Union could win the war and General Sherman’s march was cruel but got results for the North. People weren’t interested in the war and done with all the deaths so Lincoln more than likely without the help of his Democratic partner and the march of General Sherman he could have lost the election.

 4. Why was Lincoln pressured to drop emancipation as a condition for peace with the South?

The reason why he was pressured to drop the Emancipation Proclamation was because many Northerners didn’t care about it and it wouldn’t improve the situation with the war because the emancipation was against the South. Also with out dropping the emancipation Abraham Lincoln had a very unlikely chance to be reelected by the North. He still disagreed with the movement to remove emancipation though his presidency was at risk. Abraham Lincoln had around 130,000 African Americans fighting for him when he made the decision and would have betrayed all those soldiers dying for the Unions cause.

 5. What other factors were hurting Lincoln’s chances for re-election?
Factors that was hurting Lincoln in his chances for reelection was that he would not betray the African Americans and not drop the Emancipation Proclamation. Freeing the Northern slaves

 6. What implications can be drawn from Lincoln’s landslide victory?

Since Lincoln has been the supporter of the war and is trying to make sure the union can be reunited from his landslide victory I can infer that there is more war to come. Also the voters must have questioned the leadership of McClellan and not have trusted him enough to overcome Lincoln. Also from Lincoln being reelected there will be no changes that would have occurred with the election of General McClellan. From the continuation of the war and the cruel but strong push by General Sherman the Northern people started to see the president as more of a leader which led to his landslide victory. From the continuation of the war also means more death and casualties from the war.

 7. What were conditions like at Andersonville Prison?
Andersonville Prison was the largest Confederate military prison in the Civil War. Around 12,913 of the Union prisoners died out of the 45,000. They died from starvation, disease, malnutrition, and more. The prisoners were practically skeletons covered with filth and vomit. To live prisoners stole food, cloths and belongings and killed to get the resources. A big group in the prison that killed fellow inmates was the Andersonville Raiders. People died and were killed by each other in the prison to live in the harsh environment and to many the prison was hell.

 8. Why are there prisoners taken during wartime?
Prisoners were taken during wartime to either hold for ransom, to take away soldiers without killing them so they can’t fight, and to show the soldiers harshness for being the enemy. Also to torture and abuse them the South needed a good location to keep the soldiers so the North will not free them.

 9. What obligations do captors have to their prisoners?

 The obligators definitely when facing your own country should be a little humane. To prove their point and support their cause they should be harsh but not deadly. They need to feed them and give them all necessary materials to keep them alive and at least a little bit healthy but still scared. When killing and torturing that is over the limit you need to scare them not kill them. Put them to work just don’t be cruel for ransom or hostage or whatever reason you need to in prison them.

Episode 6 Valley of the Shadow of Death Thursday, Mar 11 2010 

1. How did supplies reach troops during the Civil War?

 Supplies  were a very controversial matter in the Civil War. A method of supplies was supply train that carried cargo to the soldiers. Many soldiers on both sides were desperate and lived off the land stole supplies from towns and farmers and killed livestock for food. Soldiers forcefully took food from innocent people for their lack of food. Each side had huge battles for each others supplies and food. The winning side too the supplies and the loser was either dead or lost supplies.

 2. What types of supplies would troops need in order to fight a war?

 You need to have the amount of weapons needed to outgun the other side if possible. Other than guns you need food and little necccesities to give the soldiers the needed supplies to still be humane. Things like equipment like jackets helmets ammo for guns pockets boots every piece of clothing needed to help keep the soldier alive and healthy to fight. They also need vehicles if possible. Like trucks and other equipment to help fight the enemy if those kind of vehicles are available. Things like food, equipment like cloths and needed padding for troops and weapons with enough ammo are all needed supplies for troops at war.

3. How did the Union blockades affect the flow of supplies into the South?

The blockades deeply affected the amount of supplies in the south. It made the range of supplies that came from any part of the north unavailable and started to isolate the South giving them less resources for supplies. The North blockaded with modern vehicles. They blockaded the South from Texas and blockaded some coasts around the south. This cut off lots of their resources that came from the areas that are barricaded. With less supply resources it deeply hurt the South.

4. The Civil War often split families apart. Where do you think one’s loyalty should lie with one’s family or one’s country?

Ones loyalty should lie with ones country but should not split apart ones family on the issue. You should never betray your family it is wrong to not fight for your country but it is worse in my opinion to fight against your own family. If you must help your country don’t become a soldier maybe un-violently help your country, it is wrong when you are in a battle and you’re trying to kill your sibling.

5. Trace Sherman’s advance through the South. Which major cities lay in his path? Some major cities that lay in his path were

  •  Chattanooga
  • Atlanta
  •  Savanna
  •  New Hope
  • Macon
  •  Milledgeville
  •  Bentonville

6. Why do some southerners, even today, consider him the greatest villain of the war?

He was relentless in his terrible famous march through the southern states. His soldiers went out of control and started burning and destroying everything in the South they saw. He left a trail of burned buildings and killed livestock. His beliefs were he thought the entire South and everything they did should be stopped and destroyed and anyone supporting should be hurt. He hurt many innocent people and was cruel he may of shortened the war but he caused more hatred. Whoever fought the war with decency would never forgive him for his cruel slaughtering.

Episode 5 The Universe at War Friday, Mar 5 2010 

1. Why was the Battle of Gettysburg such an important northern victory? There were many reasons why this battle was such a tremendous victory for the North. First this was the first battle in the north and was a free state. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war and took 3 days to conclude. Also this was the first major battle that the South’s General Lee lost by using his old battle strategy. This battle also was a turning point in the outcome of the war. The South’s economy was depleting and with this loss it changed the wars outcome.

 2. How did Lincoln view the victory? Abraham Lincoln viewed this victory as a battle with to many casualties. There were 51,000 Americans dead in one battle. He later gave a speech on the war giving a speech that was a push to keep the sprits up in the North and the men who died in this battle will not die in vain.

3. Who took responsibility for the Confederate defeat? General Robert E. Lee totally took the blame for the Confederate loss at Gettysburg saying he told his men he asked to much out of his soldiers. Lee totally blamed himself saying he used an outdated strategy and a down the center attack which in his opinion cause unnecessary casualties. He wanted to resign and asked the Confederate president if he could resign but Jefferson Davis declined the resignation.

4. In what ways did women contribute to the war effort? Women in the war were doctors disguised soldiers, and even spies. Examples were women like Sarah Edmonds who enlisted under the name of Franklin Thompson. Women actually served as doctors as well in the war. Like Mary Edwards Walker was with the Union and treated the wounded from Fredericksburg.

5. How do women participate in war today? In the war today women are equal to men in every way. They can be a medic a caption they can be promoted as much as a man can. Today women are judged by their personality and performance the same exact as men. Women don’t do more or do less they can be anything men can be from a soldier to a medic.

6. Have their roles changed? Yes extremely, in the Civil War they were treated unequal to men and dint have nearly the same rights men had. Women couldn’t be a medic with out controversy, they couldn’t be a soldier unless they disguised them selves as men, and were treated differently by everyone in the Civil War. Today we don’t judge soldiers and doctors by their gender we now judge them by their performance. Today people are much more equal in war situations than in the past wars.

7. What issues did the Civil War feminists address? Women addressed their equal rights compared to men. While they were keeping their houses clean and making resources for men in the war they pushed even more for the right to vote participate and the war and more. They used the Civil War as an example for a reason to give women equal rights. The Shakers during the Civil War had been called the first conscientious objectors.

8. What does conscientious objector mean? The definition conscientious objector is someone who refuses to serve in the armed forces on grounds of conscience. This in other words is someone who will not willingly serve in the military or any armed forces because of the person’s conscience. There were groups called the Quakers and the Shakers who were very large groups who refused to fight in the war for religious reasons and were mistreated for their unwillingness to bear arms.

9. If the US issued a draft tomorrow, would you consider yourself a conscientious objector? Yes, because first off i only agree with drafting people for battle is a last resort and in my opinion is the worst and should be last option to obtain more soldiers. If it was a first resort and the military just wanted more men even though none have been harshly depleted, then I would most definitely be a conscientious objector.

 10. Would it make a difference what the war was about? If the war was for the survival of man kid or a type of war that could determine our fate quickly then yes I would change from a conscientious objector. If that case it would be necessary because drafting should be used if the country or whatever is in a situation where they are desperate. But in other cases I still disagree because drafting like I said before is a last resort and if not in desperation don’t use the draft. So if the war was about something that isn’t desperate or in a situation that could determine the people in the country everywhere I disagree with drafting.

11. Is war morally right at certain times and morally wrong at others? Yes, in my opinion if you’re at war and your side has tried every way possible to have peace and solve the problem then it might have to be necessary to go to war as ugly as it is. Also if the war could determine your fate deeply of your nation then yes to protect yourself from the enemy you have to go to war. If the war is started by lack of negotiation and you didn’t try with all your power to work out your agreement you are killing innocent lives over an problem you possibly could of resolved. Also if it is over a miner problem and many people are dying for a small resource or land growth war is morally wrong and is unnecessary.

Episode 4 Simply Murder Friday, Feb 26 2010 

Simply Murder

1. Why did the North have to resort to conscription in 1863?

The North who was starting to run low on willing troops need a resource to get more troops. Conscription is the government having the power to be able to serve in the army from the age of 20 to 45. Conscription is meant to get any kind of man power that the trustworthy nation has. Though this act was very controversial because you could buy your way out of being drafted it was the only way to get more men.

 2. Do you believe the government should have the power of conscription?

Yes, if a war was out of hand and men were being lost we should have a last resort that can be a controversial but a necessary resource. If our force was running out of men and we could use any kind of man power we can get to try to win the war I think conscription should not be an early decision but a last resort. I think the government should not be able to use the power of conscription to bring all enabled bodies to war if it is not a time of desperation in man power. To me this if used will be controversial to many so should not be used if we need more soldiers.

 3. At what point can the state impose on your liberty in order to defend the nation?

When the willing and trained are depleted and the lack of numbers of soldiers can be deadly to the outcome of the war you need to forget your liberty and give up your liberty for the survival of your nation. Usually when you have to draft it means the outcome of the war is not slanted and the number of men could determine. There is power in the number and strength in the sides men.

4. What was the cause of the Richmond bread riots?

The Richmond bread riot was started from the food shortage caused by soldiers who stayed in loyalist homes who they forced out. The soldiers took refuge in homes causing local controversy and starting a food shortage from the soldiers eating their food. The troops also took many farmers and civilians crops and food.

5. Why was the South so harshly affected by inflation?

The reason inflation occurred in the South was because of partly they created counterfeit money and that harshly affected their economy. Also the South got resources from the north which at that time would not supply them. They had lots of their money invested in the war, slavery and land. So in many cases they were in a major inflation.

6. When did the Confederates begin using their own currency?

The confederate states started using their own currency in April 1861 2 months after the Confederacy began. The currency was created in a paper bill form and there were characters like mythical gods, heroic heroes, and slaves on the money.

 7. Who were the “Copperheads?

The Copperheads were a group of Northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War, they wanted a immediate peace treaty with the Confederates. The leader of the Copperheads, who was the most famous, was Clement L. Vallandigham. The Copperheads did not like emancipation of the American slaves; they tried to get Union soldiers to help Confederate prisoners of war escape. Their name was given to them by Republicans. They did not want a full war and did not want the south to be destroyed and the Union restored. They tried to get the two to a peace agreement.

8. What ideals did they stand for?

They stood for peace and a peace agreement between North and the South. They didn’t think it right that the Union be restored and the South be destroyed. They were against the Civil War totally but didn’t want only the North or the South they believed peace reachable between the two. They were Democrats and were against Abraham Lincoln and his administration who was a Republican.

 9. How can a country in the midst of a civil war allow for freedom of expression?

Though the country is fighting against it self and there is many lives being lost their still should be freedom of speech. They can boycott have petitions and give public speeches. Though some are busy on the war they have many ways to get their opinion out. You can gie flyers but you have to be preaching to the right quire at the right time publicly so you can get you ideas through.

Episode 3 Forever Free Friday, Feb 19 2010 

Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant are known as the two great generals of the Civil War. 1. What traits did they exhibit?

Robert E. Lee

Robert lee was a fighter and very observant Lee persistently attacked McClellan’s army and became victorious. Lee used surprise and an ability to read the opponents mind as an advantage over the enemy. Lee commanded with fairness, and courage. Lee was a tough leader who was a strategist and overall one of the best leaders in the war. Even when the south lost he didn’t swear or get angry he was noble and that was one of his best qualities.

Ulysses S. Grant

Was a quiet small fellow just out killed and out dueled his opponents. Eventually became President of United States. Was general Lincoln was looking for. Grant was hard to intimidate and scare he was tough and soft spoken. He constantly attacked his enemy he did not quit and did not conserve men.

2. What personality traits make a good leader?

I think that good leaders need courage, war strategy, confidence, and the ability to lead an army. People like Robert Lee had good strategy a way to lead his men with confidence. You need to find ways to kill more and have less of your men killed from hiding finding cover, location, and just out gunning.

3. What factors it difficult for Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation even though he was personally against slavery?

Abraham Lincoln didn’t want to disrupt and even more anger the southern states with the attempt to outlaw slavery. He did not want to side with the north and in a way depart the south. Doing that would have even more started a conflict with the south. Even though he disliked slavery he would rather at the time he would rather not disrupt the north and south even more. His promises of that the war and everything could end with both sides happy did not come true and creating the Emancipation Proclamation would disrupt the nation more.

4. Did he fear that freeing the slaves would mean the dissolution of the union?

Yes he believed that with the end of slavery in the south could mean the dissolution of the nation and to an even bigger seperation in the south. With the slave revolution in the south and their anger with the election of Abraham Lincoln making a controversial move that is based on the whole war would create even more of an issue between the south rebellion and the north union.

 

5. Who were the abolitionists?

Some northerners were known as the abolitionists who were against slavery. They would rather break the law than return the escapee slaves back to their owners when the southerners created the Fugitive Slave Law. The abolitionists were known for their strong hatred of slavery. Tough some white northerners were against their northern abolitionists and thought they were just stirring up trouble. The northern abolitionists wanted to totally eliminate slavery and wrote hate letters to slave owners. People like Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Garrison were all key abolitionists during that time.

 

 

 6. Where and when did the movement begin?

The first Emancipation Proclamation began on September 22, 1862 and was meant to free slaves in all the states in America. It was signed by Abraham Lincoln and was signed in America.

7. How has this week’s episode helped you to understand the Civil War better?

I learned this week on the movies that during the civil War the generals of their units were a key part in the success of their territory. In other words the generals had to display their war skills and tactics to out duel their opponents. Great and clever generals like Robert Lee could out smart and out gun their men even if outnumbered. The generals had responsibility of many many men and if one side had great and numerous generals and could easily out dueled their foe the war would have been lopsided.

Episode Two: A Very Bloody Affair Wednesday, Feb 10 2010 

 

 

Research the major battles that occurred during the first part of 1862.

  1. 1.    What were they?

Some major battles in 1862 were the Battle of Shiloh, the battle of, the battle of the Monitor vs. Virginia, the battle of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, the battle of New Orleans, and the battle of Pea Ridge, and the battle of Roanoke Islands, were most the major battles in 1862.

  1. 2.    Why were they so significant?

The battle at Shiloh was one of the first major wars in the Civil War it was also one of the bloodiest. The confederacy tried to launch a surprise attack on the Union but the North came out victorious though many men died on both sides. Also the Monitor vs Virginia were the start of the major ship battles on water that started the advancements in technology in ships. This battle started both sides putting metal on the outside on the ships creating a much more powerful and defensive ship. Other than the advancements of the war their was many other battles that had a huge effect in the Civil War. Battles like Roanoke Island was a big battle in the war with a Union victory opening up the North Carolina coast to the Union.

3. Why is the Civil War often considered being the first modern war?  

The Civil War was considered the first modern war from the increase of weapon and battle technology. It had advancements in ships, guns, and strategies to increase their modern war tactics. This also led to battles on water, new kinds of weapons, vehicles and more. Their war strategies got better as well as ways to communicate, more medicine strategies, and advanced technology is what made this war modern.

Research the technology of war at the time — weapons, ships, transportation and medical practice.

4. Why were the casualties of the war so terribly high?

Weapons and ships were majorly updated, exported and advanced for the Civil War. There was many updates and increases in both ships and there weapons. They made both more and advanced weapons. They made them more deadly and more durable to defeat their enemy. Other than weapon advancements they had more and better battle strategies. Along with their weapon advancements and better battle strategies both sides totally had the power to wipe the other out and to kill many on each side. All this hatred along with power in the Civil War brought many casualties.

Consider the quote from Frederick Douglass, “Any attempt now to separate the freedom of the slave from the victory of Government; any attempt to secure peace to the whites while leaving the blacks in chains will be labor lost.” 5. Discuss the meaning of the quotation.

Fredrick Douglass was urging the people of the north that his was a war for slavery. He was trying to persuade that equal rights for slaves were right and should become law. He wanted the people of the war to become aware that slavery is wrong and that they know this situation. If the north wins the war slavery should be abolished. Fredrick Douglass was trying to speak out for the push for equal rights for slaves.

6. Could the war have ended without the freeing of the slaves?

Yes, though the only possible way that slavery could have continued normally is if the south won the Civil War. If that would have happened it would have increased slavery in the south and the north would, and even possibly up to today we could have slavery in the United States. Though if the north won, which they did, slavery would be largely decreased or banned completely.

7. How has this week’s episode helped you to understand the Civil War?

I have found out from this week’s Civil War that this war was a war against and for slavery. I also found out that this war was the beginning of Amercias war technology and advancements. This war had many different kinds of battles that have influenced the U.S in many ways. This week to me mainly told me about the hardships and advancements that the U.S went through against each other. Battles like Shiloh and the Monitor vs. Virginia were only a few wars that largely influenced the outcome of the war.

Episode One:The Cause Friday, Feb 5 2010 

Episode One The Cause

 

1. Consider the events leading, directly or indirectly, to the Civil War.

2. Was slavery the main issue for the war’s beginning?
Yes, the north was slowly starting to believe that slavery was wrong and should be limited, leading to the south rebelling and saying that the north was trying to ban slavery all together and made the confederacy.

3. What were other contributing factors?

One factor that lead up to the civil war was the cotton production a man named Eli Whitney created a machine that separated the seeds for cotton which led the south to largely rely on cotton meaning more slaves. It then started that the south was based on a one crop economy and needed more slaves while the north was based on more industry and agriculture. Also the separation between Federal rights and state rights was a major issue between the north and south.. Also the northerner’s abolition movements were growing from things like Jon Browns attack and the fugitive slave act. While the south wanted more slaves and the north were beginning to see slavery as wrong.

4. If slavery began in this country in 1619, why did it take 200 years for it to become such a divisive issue?

In earlier times there were still people who thought slavery wrong but many people did not have the willingness to stand up and create a movement against slavery. When people like Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman steeped up and rebelled against slavery expansion and that slavery was wrong. Until the 1800s there were no leaders and no anti slavery movements that started the end of slavery.

 

5. What specific events helped to make slavery an issue of public debate?
People were starting to rebel and escape slavery leading to anti slavery movements and important factors like Uncle Toms Cabin, people like Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and a giant leader was Abraham Lincoln who wanted to limit slavery though not to stop it. Leading up to the south’s rebellion and eventually to the Civil War. 

 

6. Why did white people in the South believe that their liberty required the continuation of slavery?

They truly thought that the African’s greatest potential in existence was to serve and work for the white man. They compared Africans to animals and thought it was ridiculous if either one could have freedom to work and live a similar life as them.
7. Do your students agree or disagree with Lincoln’s idea that in a constitutional democracy no section of the nation is free to break away–that to attempt to leave is rebellion.

I agree with President Abraham Lincoln because in that state of country to leave and attack fellow states in a way is treason and to do it to keep slaves is wrong.. To create your own government and go against your original government is wrong. Also saying states would unite and not go independently keeps the country united. (Hint, United States of America)

 

 

  1. 8.     Why did the spirit of compromise which had helped the nation avoid civil war in earlier crises totally break down by 1860?

The south finally figured that they had enough power if they wanted to rebel against the north. This started by when the country elected Abraham Lincoln the south thought that was the begging of the end or major limitation of slavery. Since the south was starting to rely more on slaves the rebelled saying it was right to keep slaves.