Chapter 16: A Dividing Nation (1820-1861)
Unit Theme:Sectionalism
Sectionalism, as we have already learned, is loyalty to one's region or state. Several issues increased the divisions between North and South over the generation before the Civil War but of course none more sharply than the issue of slavery. It would all come to a head in the decade before 1860. The 1850s would see the several great events that would foreshadow the coming war. The Compromise of 1850, the final pacification by the Great Pacificator, Henry Clay, would seem to pacify no one. It would be the end of the line for the Great Triumvirate, Bleeding Kansas, and several other events which we will learn about.By the eve of the Civil War sectional differences, not surprisingly, were at their highest. Historians will argue that the cultural differences and economic patterns between the North and South were too great for anymore compromises. Others might argue that each region was now firmly in control of radical elements and that there was no going back. Either way, war would come in 1861.
Sectionalism, as we have already learned, is loyalty to one's region or state. Several issues increased the divisions between North and South over the generation before the Civil War but of course none more sharply than the issue of slavery. It would all come to a head in the decade before 1860. The 1850s would see the several great events that would foreshadow the coming war. The Compromise of 1850, the final pacification by the Great Pacificator, Henry Clay, would seem to pacify no one. It would be the end of the line for the Great Triumvirate, Bleeding Kansas, and several other events which we will learn about.By the eve of the Civil War sectional differences, not surprisingly, were at their highest. Historians will argue that the cultural differences and economic patterns between the North and South were too great for anymore compromises. Others might argue that each region was now firmly in control of radical elements and that there was no going back. Either way, war would come in 1861.
Essential Question:
Was the Civil War inevitable?
Chapter Overview:
Though this chapter begins with the Missouri Compromise back in 1820, to many the starting point of the road to sectionalism and war, the real action is in the decade of the 1850s. Several great events highlight this tumultuous decade. Beginning with the Compromise of 1850 and through the election of Lincoln in 1860, the decade foreshadowed a war that many saw coming, but yet, were powerless to stop. Between these two events we had the deaths of the Great Triumvirate, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the battles in Kansas, the founding of the Republican Party and the demise of the Whigs, the Dred Scott decision, and John Brown's raid and subsequent execution. All of these would set the country on the road to war in April of 1861.
Resources:
Chapter Self-Test
Was the Civil War inevitable?
Chapter Overview:
Though this chapter begins with the Missouri Compromise back in 1820, to many the starting point of the road to sectionalism and war, the real action is in the decade of the 1850s. Several great events highlight this tumultuous decade. Beginning with the Compromise of 1850 and through the election of Lincoln in 1860, the decade foreshadowed a war that many saw coming, but yet, were powerless to stop. Between these two events we had the deaths of the Great Triumvirate, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the battles in Kansas, the founding of the Republican Party and the demise of the Whigs, the Dred Scott decision, and John Brown's raid and subsequent execution. All of these would set the country on the road to war in April of 1861.
Resources:
Chapter Self-Test
Sections:
1) The Slavery Issue in the West (p. 424-429) 2) The Crisis Turns Violent (p. 430-434) 3) A New Party Challenges Slavery (p. 435-438) 4) The Nation Splits in Two (p. 439-443) Study Guides Study Guide - Honors Class Study Guide - General Classes |
Section Reviews:
1) The Slavery Issue in the West 2) The Crisis Turns Violent 3) A New Party Challenges Slavery 4) The Nation Splits in Two These reviews are often given in class and are open-ended and T/F questions that you should definitely learn. They cover some of the most important points of the section and are often the basis of matching and T/F questions on quizzes and tests. |
Content Study Guides:
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