Crash Course US History: Causes of the Civil War

Introduction

• Host: John Green
• Main Question: What caused the Civil War?
  • Answer: Slavery was the primary cause.
• Other factors often cited: states' rights, nationalism, economics

Key Historical Context

Compromise of 1850

• Fugitive Slave Law
  • Required citizens to turn in known slaves to authorities
  • Controversial: enforced a law many found abhorrent
  • Resulted in fear and migration to Canada by people of color in the North
  • Contributed to Northern perception of a 'slave power' conspiracy controlling the government

Railroads and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Railroads

  • Facilitated movement and economic ties between North and West
  • Supported by Stephen Douglas, who advocated for a transcontinental railroad

• Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

  • Introduced popular sovereignty for slavery in new territories
  • Repealed the Missouri Compromise
  • Led to violence in Kansas ("Bleeding Kansas")
  • Contributed to the formation of the Republican Party

The Rise of the Republican Party

• Formed from Free-Soilers, Northern anti-slavery Whigs, and others
• Sectional party: drew support from North and West
• Aimed to stop the spread of slavery

Increasing Tensions

The Concept of 'Slave Power'

• Perception that Congress was controlled by pro-slavery entities
• Fear that the Kansan entry as a slave state would extend slavery power in government

Lincoln's Views

• Advocated for territories to be for free white people
• Concern over economic self-interest for Northerners

Key Events Leading to War

Kansas Elections

• Marred by fraud and violence
• Two constitutions proposed
• Delayed entry into the Union until 1861 as a free state

Dred Scott Decision (1857)

• Supreme Court ruling: Scott was still a slave despite living in free states
• Broadened scope: said all black people could be deemed property
• Strengthened notion of 'slave power' controlling the government

John Brown's Raid (1859)

• Failed raid on Harpers Ferry
• Became a martyr for the abolitionist cause

Election of 1860

• Abraham Lincoln: Republican candidate
  • Won without appearing on Southern ballots
• Democrats split between Douglas (North) and Breckinridge (South)
• Lincoln's election triggered Southern secession

Conclusion

• Civil War seen as inevitable due to deep-rooted issues
  • Result of failure to recognize black Americans' rights
• The stage set for the Civil War by 1861 with the firing on Fort Sumter

Production Notes

• Written by John Green and Raoul Meyer
• Directed by Stan Muller, script supervisor Meredith Danko
• Part of the Crash Course US History series