CWR - Events Leading Up to the War: States' Rights (Lesson)
Events Leading Up to the War: States' Rights
Introduction
The United States saw cultural, economic, and political divide between the Northern and Southern regions during the 1800s. Disagreements among the regions grew to irreconcilable differences in 1861 with the Civil War erupting. Issues such as slavery, states’ rights, and the election of 1860 all paved the way for the Civil War.
Events Leading to War
Learn more by exploring the topics in the activity below.
Divisions between North and South
| Issue | North | South |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs | Wanted high tariffs to protect northern industry from British competition. | Favored low tariffs since southerners imported many manufactured goods from Britain. |
| States' Rights | Rejected nullification, holding that only U.S. Supreme Court can declare law of Congress unconstitutional. Believed that secession was illegal. | Believed U.S. Constitution was a compact and that individual states could withdraw if their rights were threatened. |
| Western Territories | United States should sell lands at a good price to bring in revenue. Develop the West at government expense. | Distribute the land as cheaply as possible. Opposed taxes to develop the West. |
| Slavery | By 1804, slavery was illegal in seven northern states. Offered a haven for runaway slaves. Keep slavery out of western territories. | Leave slavery legal. Require northern states to return runaway slaves. Allow slavery in the West. |
Review
Review what you've learned by completing the activity below.
Slavery, states’ rights, expansion of the nation, and political divisions caused the United States to be on a brink of war. When South Carolina issued the ultimatum of withdrawing from the Union if Abraham Lincoln was elected, there was no turning back. Many argue that the Civil War began in December 1860 when South Carolina withdrew from the Union, ultimately the battles began in 1861 and left the Southern states devastated.
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