Civil War Essay Examples

Pilgrims came to America with hope to obtain freedom. Religious freedom, freedom from Monarch. But slavery was brought to this continent much more earlier than the refugees of “Mayflower”. In fact, story begins with Christopher Columbus with his expedition trip from Spain to America, when he brought five Jewish slaves on board with him. First American slaves appeared in San Miguel de Gualdape colony in 1526, but the system based on race slavery was fully developed only in 18th century. From that moment, slavery became an inseparable part in American economy. The territory of US grew sharply after the proclamation of Independence from Great Britain in 1776, First 13 states were created and proclaimed a union. The war with brits devastated state’s treasury. In order to avoid social uprisings by putting huge taxes on population - Thomas Jefferson came up with the Ordinance of 1785, with the main purpose to sell the western lands to the rich landlords, which had Positive influence on the financial situation of Confederation as well as on territorial growth of the union.
The slavery conflict deepened even more in 1820, when new settlements were formed in western territories. Problem arose after Missouri’s request to join the Union, it created a certain threat between the balance of Slave and Free states. As a result both parties came to the agreement that one state – Maine will join the union as a free state, Missouri – will have slavery, although, the conflict didn’t end there.
The compromise of 1850 was presented by politician Henry Clay. Newly formed state California decided to join the Union as free state, which could also endanger the balance between slave and non-slave states. Five laws were passed by Clay to avert the crisis between North and South. Consequently, California joined the Union as free state; Fugitive Act was rectified; Slave trade in Washington , D.C was also prohibited. The compromise attempted to settle boundary quarrels between New Mexico and Texas.
In 1854 The Kansas – Nebraska Act annulled the compromise of 1820, it enabled the spreading of slavery into the north and west, this act gave the right to choose whether it is free or slave state to the population.
In March 1857, on of the most crucial event occurred that preceded the Civil war. Dred Scott vs. Sanford court case. Dred Scott was a slave, who had moved with his lord to the Free state of Illinios for a couple of years. After his master’s death he decided to gain freedom in Court. The court ruled against the slave, in addition, it even proclaimed that no black (free or slave) could get U.S. citizenship. Such court’s decision increased the tension between North and South.
Such tensions turned out in uprisings starting from 1859. The most famous one was led by John Brown. He was an American abolitionist, slavery opponent, believed that slavery must be overthrown and the only way to do so is by means of massive armed rebellion.
On October 16, 1859 the rebellion has started. John Brown with a group of supporters decided to capture the federal arsenal. Brown hoped that local slaves would join rise and fight for their freedom. But that did not happen, slaves did not support the revolt. His rebellion was put down by local militia within the next 36 hours, which resulted in killing 8 of his men, including his sons. Even though the riot was not successful and was considered as “madman” plan, it received a huge support in the Northern part of the country. A lot of politicians and slavery opponents marveled his courage, eagerness, and self-sacrifice for the good of the country. Southern activists, on the contrary, did not understand Brown’s actions at all: “How could he attack his own property? He is responsible for the death of 8 people, there is no excuse for such actions and consequences”.
This was one of the final steps for the bloody conflict to begin which came down in history as Civil War.
During the pre-Civil war period polemic literature became very popular. Writers tried to show the truth about slavery in their writings, many of the stories were not fictional at all. One of the most famous novel was ”Uncle Tom's Cabin” by Harriet Beecher. The book shows how slave labor force was used in business. It became the most discussed novel in the country, helped to create favorable conditions for Lincoln’s elections in 1860.
The election Abraham Lincoln is often referred to the final reason for Civil War. While running for the presidency, he faced Stephen Douglas, this campaign was marked with a large number of Debates (7 of them) which were held in Illinois. Slavery was the main theme to be debated. Both contenders had different views on slavery: Lincoln argued against slavery, but Douglas supported the idea of “popular sovereignty”( each community should decide the status of the state free or slave one). Actually, Lincoln lost the race for the Senate seat, but he gained a lot of attention and endorsement all over the country, which granted him presidential nomination from the party. However, his candidacy almost split the Democratic Party. Shortly after Lincoln’s inauguration (March 1861), seven seceding states decided to create their own government, the Confederate States of America Soon after that the war began.
Civil war is one of the most horrible events that has ever taken place in American history. The war within the country is horrible thing to happen, because neighbour kills neighbour, brother kills brother. From the very beginning it was clear that conflict was inevitable. All of the analyzed situations had influenced the outcome of North vs South tensions in their own way. In this situation liberalistic views of Northern states were humanistic, and the good side always wins.