STUDENT CHALLENGE
The Civil War was a war between people of the same country. There are many
reasons countries may wage a civil war. In some situations, two different ethnic
groups may believe that they have the right to govern the nation and therefore,
fight for control. In other situations, two different groups may want a different
type of government to be in charge. In the United States, the Civil War was
fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern and the Southern states. What
issue(s) would cause family members to wage war against one another? What
were the causes of the Civil War in the United States?
Causes of the Civil War
Growth Causes Conflict: Slavery in the Territories: Learning Activity #7090
INTRODUCTION
Because of Manifest Destiny, the North and South struggled to maintain power
as more territory was added to the United States. In this activity, you will learn
how the United States government reached several compromises to avoid
conflict between the North and the South.
ASSIGNMENTS
Answer the following questions.
Causes of the Civil War
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1.
What was the factor that led to the development of two different ways
of life in the North and the South?
The single most deciding factor that contributed to the split
between the North and the South was geography. During the
1800s, the climate and natural resources of an area determined
how people could earn a living.
On the chart below, list the ways people earned a living in the North
and the South.
North
South
manufacturing
agriculture
trade
shipping
2.
Why was the Free Soil Party formed and what was their slogan?
The party was formed because the Democrats and Whigs refused
to address the issue of slavery. Their slogan was “Free Soil, Free
Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men.”
3.
Why would the Fugitive Slave Act drive the North and the South further
apart?
Under the Fugitive Slave Act, slave catchers were sent into
Northern states. This angered abolitionists and common citizens
in the North.
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4.
Create a poster for African Americans warning them against the threat
of kidnapping by slave catchers.
Posters may include a catchy slogan to draw someone’s
attention; what to look out for in terms of what slave catchers say
and do; and should include advice for avoiding being kidnapped
by slave catchers.
5.
Why did Senator, Stephen Douglas want Kansas and Nebraska
organized into territories?
Douglas was an expansionist who wanted to build a railroad to
the West Coast through Chicago.
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6.
The North and the South had to reach compromises over the issue of
expansion. Complete the chart below on each of those compromises.
Act
Missouri
Compromise
Purpose
To admit Missouri
to the Union
Provisions
Missouri would be admitted to the
Union as a slave state.
Maine would be admitted as a free
state.
Slavery would not be allowed in the
rest of the Louisiana Territory north of
latitude 36° 30’.
Compromise
of 1850
To admit California
to the Union
California would be admitted to the
Union as a free state.
Popular sovereignty would be in the
remaining areas acquired from
Mexico.
Slave trade would be prohibited in
Washington, D.C.
Texas would give up its claim to part
of New Mexico.
New slave law would be established
to help slave owners regain their
runaway slaves.
KansasNebraska Act
To organize Kansas
and Nebraska into
territories
Causes of the Civil War
Popular sovereignty would be allowed
in Kansas and Nebraska, which under
the Missouri Compromise had been
free.
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7.
Create an advertisement to convince either pro or anti-slavery settlers
to move to Kansas.
Advertisement should clearly reflect either pro or anti-slavery
sentiment. Advertisement should include slogans and graphics.
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