Southern
Perspective -
The issue of slavery became more and more
contentious between northern states and
southern states in the middle part of the
19th century, especially as the United
States expanded westward and began to take
in new territories and states. Although
various Slavery was important to the southern
economy because of the large labor force
required to pick and process cotton - the
southern cash crop. The southern states
scored a victory with the passing of the
Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Introduced
by Stephen A. Douglas, the bill called
for the residents of the particular territory
to choose for themselves if they wanted
slavery (otherwise known as popular
sovereignty). Northern politicians
such as Abraham Lincoln and abolitionists
(those opposed to slavery) fought vigorously
against the bill. With the election of
President Lincoln in 1860, southern officials
began to fear that Lincoln would repeal
the bill and that the northern majority
would threaten their way of life – and
their economic interests. Southern states
began to fear that Lincoln would emancipate
slaves. The 1859 raid on the federal arsenal
by John Brown, a radical abolitionist,
perpetuated fears and led many to believe
in a northern conspiracy. Shortly
after Lincoln's election, South Carolina
officially seceded from the Union. Ten
states would follow soon after and form
the Confederate States of America.
Northern
perspective – Although
the North was divided on their views of
slavery, political officials in power such
as Abraham Lincoln fought against the Kansas-
Nebraska Act. Although many viewed slavery
as immoral, which was one reason for its
proposed abolishment, officials in the
north were also worried that the extension
of slavery into western states would give
the southern states disproportional influence
in such areas. When Abraham Lincoln was
elected president, 11 states promptly seceded
from the Union. Lincoln deemed this unacceptable
and declared war for the purposes of preserving
the Union. |