Essay Questions

1. At what point did the Civil War become inevitable? That is, at what point was the war going to happen? Why?
After Abraham Lincoln's Election in 1860, tensions among the parties of the United States were high and the abolitionist movement had begun. The Union had begun to feel threatened by southerners who wanted slavery and pro-slavery territories and states. They had to protect their identity and values, just as the Confederacy felt about slavery. The civil war was a long time coming, but once Lincoln, and anti-slavery president was in office, the southerners were angry and ready to fight.
2. What were the Causes of the Civil War? Define them, how do they explain the Civil War and the motivation of the soldiers who fought in it?
The main cause of the Civil War was slavery, as the federal government was pushing out laws, compromises, and acts in regards to its controversy. Also, southern Democrats felt that their states' rights were being threatened, states rights being the rights to property, basically slaves. Slavery was really the cause of this War.
3. The election of 1860 defined the politics of the Civil War. Explain why this is and the consequences for the war.
When Lincoln was elected, his party's views were so clearly opposing those of the southern democrats, who took up lots of space, and in fact surrounded Washington DC. Their unhappiness was so strong at this moment that they couldn't let their president take away their rights and freedom as a people.

	Created by Erica Maul about 9 years ago

Study notes for the US history test on the Early Republic from 1789-1865