上海交通大学：《历史视野下的美国文化 American Culture Under the Historical Perspective》通识课程教学资源（学生论文）舒帆 Causes of American Civil War

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 Causes of American Civil War 舒帆（安泰经济与管理学院，年级：大二，学号：5111209221） Abstract:From the days of yore,the northern and southern states of America were struggling against each other.In 1787 differences cropped up between the federal and the democratic classes and the economic crisis of the 19th century fanned them.These differences ultimately took the shape of Civil War in America. Key Words:Slave system,Economic Disparity,Nationalism and honor,Separation of Southern States The causes of the Civil War were complex,and have been controversial since the war began.The issue has been further complicated by historical revisionists,who have tried to improve the image of the South by lessening the role of slavery.Slavery was the central source of escalating political tension in the 1850s.The Republican Party was determined to prevent any spread of slavery,and many Southern leaders had threatened secession if the Republican candidate,Lincoln,won the 1860 election. Following Lincoln's victory,many Southern whites felt that disunion had become their only option. While not all Southerners saw themselves as fighting to preserve slavery,most of the officers and over a third of the rank and file in Lee's army had close family ties to slavery.To Northerners,in contrast,the motivation was primarily to preserve the Union,not to abolish slavery.Abraham Lincoln consistently made preserving the Union the central goal of the war,though he increasingly saw slavery as a crucial issue and made ending it an additional goal."Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation angered both Peace Democrats("Copperheads")and War Democrats,but energized most Republicans.By warning that free blacks would flood the North,Democrats made gains in the 1862 elections,but they did not gain control of Congress.The Republicans'counterargument that slavery was the mainstay of the enemy steadily gained support,with the Democrats crushed at the 1863 elections in Ohio when they tried to resurrect anti-black sentiment. Economic Disparity From the very beginning economic disparity was present between the North and the South America. Northern America being industrialized helped in the rise of big factories. As these factories were run with the help of machines,the slaves did not have much importance for them On the other hand,the economic life of the Southern America was based on agriculture and there was dearth of agricultural equipments,the people of South relying upon the labour of the slaves. In fact.the slaves were the basis of their success:that was why they did not want to abolish this system.Thus the economic interests of the northern and the southern states differed from each other. There were two powerful political parties in America.One party was in favour of sovereignty of each state while the other wanted a strong central government. The number of immigrants in the North was quite large in comparison to the South as economic opportunities were very bright in the North.Abraham Lincoln wanted to eliminate these differences and to strengthen the Federal system in America. Slave System By the end of the 18th century the people of America began to look to the slave trade with disdain and the slave system was abolished in North America by an Act of 1787. 1

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 1 Causes of American Civil War 舒帆（安泰经济与管理学院，年级：大二, 学号： 5111209221） Abstract: From the days of yore, the northern and southern states of America were struggling against each other. In 1787 differences cropped up between the federal and the democratic classes and the economic crisis of the 19th century fanned them. These differences ultimately took the shape of Civil War in America. Key Words: Slave system, Economic Disparity, Nationalism and honor, Separation of Southern States The causes of the Civil War were complex, and have been controversial since the war began. The issue has been further complicated by historical revisionists, who have tried to improve the image of the South by lessening the role of slavery. i Slavery was the central source of escalating political tension in the 1850s. The Republican Party was determined to prevent any spread of slavery, and many Southern leaders had threatened secession if the Republican candidate, Lincoln, won the 1860 election. Following Lincoln's victory, many Southern whites felt that disunion had become their only option. While not all Southerners saw themselves as fighting to preserve slavery, most of the officers and over a third of the rank and file in Lee's army had close family ties to slavery. To Northerners, in contrast, the motivation was primarily to preserve the Union, not to abolish slavery. Abraham Lincoln consistently made preserving the Union the central goal of the war, though he increasingly saw slavery as a crucial issue and made ending it an additional goal. ii Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation angered both Peace Democrats ("Copperheads") and War Democrats, but energized most Republicans. By warning that free blacks would flood the North, Democrats made gains in the 1862 elections, but they did not gain control of Congress. The Republicans' counterargument that slavery was the mainstay of the enemy steadily gained support, with the Democrats crushed at the 1863 elections in Ohio when they tried to resurrect anti-black sentiment. Economic Disparity From the very beginning economic disparity was present between the North and the South America. Northern America being industrialized helped in the rise of big factories. As these factories were run with the help of machines, the slaves did not have much importance for them. On the other hand, the economic life of the Southern America was based on agriculture and there was dearth of agricultural equipments, the people of South relying upon the labour of the slaves. In fact, the slaves were the basis of their success; that was why they did not want to abolish this system. Thus the economic interests of the northern and the southern states differed from each other. There were two powerful political parties in America. One party was in favour of sovereignty of each state while the other wanted a strong central government. The number of immigrants in the North was quite large in comparison to the South as economic opportunities were very bright in the North. Abraham Lincoln wanted to eliminate these differences and to strengthen the Federal system in America. Slave System By the end of the 18th century the people of America began to look to the slave trade with disdain and the slave system was abolished in North America by an Act of 1787

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 But in the south it was being abolished gradually by changing the hearts of the people in place of making use of force. But in the mean time with the advancement of industry the slave trade became a vested interest and now nobody wanted to abolish it.Gradually,the slave system became a very intractable problem in American politics. In the declaration of Independence by George HI it was stated that Slave Trade was a sin but later on this provision was removed from the declaration. By an Act of 1787 though the slave system was abolished in the northern part of America,it was permitted that fugitive slaves could be arrested.Perhaps the constitution makers of America agreed to the circumstances of the time. It was admitted in the constitution that in the election of the legislature the Negro slaves would be allowed to take part but their number would not exceed three-fifths. After this the slave trade continued for thirty years more according to Missouri Pact and by 1850i the number of the slaves reached 32 lacks. A Fugitive Slave Law was passed in 1850 which was opposed by the northern states.Later on this Pact was completely rejected by the South. Thus the north and the south were not unanimous on the issue of slavery.North America considered it to be a blot on the fair society of America whereas it was an unavoidable evil for the South which could not be abolished. Neither of the two was prepared to compromise on this issue.Some thinkers were of the opinion that America wanted to extend her territory in the west in the name of slave trade. Those opposing Slave System had created a terror in the southern states that the historic labour system of the South would be abolished by the North.The propaganda mounted by the leaders of the North created doubt,terror,hatred and resentment in the people of the South. The leaders of the South were endeavouring their best for the expansion of slave system;hence Abraham Lincoln had talks with Stephen Douglas. Lincoln emphasized that slave system was immoral and unjust but Douglas could not be convinced and he emphasized that the issue of slavery fell within the provincial constitution.Hence feelings of terror spread which made the outbreak of Civil War imminent. Nationalism and honor Nationalism was a powerful force in the early 19th century,with famous spokesmen like Andrew Jackson and Daniel Webster.While practically all Northerners supported the Union,Southerners were split between those loyal to the entire United States(called "unionists")and those loyal primarily to the southern region and then the Confederacy.C.Vann Woodward said of the latter group,"A great slave society...had grown up and miraculously flourished in the heart of a thoroughly bourgeois and partly puritanical republic.It had renounced its bourgeois origins and elaborated and painfully rationalized its institutional,legal,metaphysical,and religious defenses....When the crisis came it chose to fight.It proved to be the death struggle of a society,which went down in ruins."Perceived insults to Southern collective honor included the enormous popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin(1852)and the actions of abolitionist John Brown in trying to incite a slave rebellion in 1859. While the South moved toward a Southern nationalism,leaders in the North were also becoming more nationally minded,and rejected any notion of splitting the Union.The Republican national electoral platform of 1860 warned that Republicans regarded disunion as treason and would not tolerate it:"We denounce those threats of disunion...as denying the vital principles of a free government,and as 2

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 2 But in the south it was being abolished gradually by changing the hearts of the people in place of making use of force. But in the mean time with the advancement of industry the slave trade became a vested interest and now nobody wanted to abolish it. Gradually, the slave system became a very intractable problem in American politics. In the declaration of Independence by George HI it was stated that Slave Trade was a sin but later on this provision was removed from the declaration. By an Act of 1787 though the slave system was abolished in the northern part of America, it was permitted that fugitive slaves could be arrested. Perhaps the constitution makers of America agreed to the circumstances of the time. It was admitted in the constitution that in the election of the legislature the Negro slaves would be allowed to take part but their number would not exceed three-fifths. After this the slave trade continued for thirty years more according to Missouri Pact and by 1850 iii the number of the slaves reached 32 lacks. A Fugitive Slave Law was passed in 1850 which was opposed by the northern states. Later on this Pact was completely rejected by the South. Thus the north and the south were not unanimous on the issue of slavery. North America considered it to be a blot on the fair society of America whereas it was an unavoidable evil for the South which could not be abolished. Neither of the two was prepared to compromise on this issue. Some thinkers were of the opinion that America wanted to extend her territory in the west in the name of slave trade. Those opposing Slave System had created a terror in the southern states that the historic labour system of the South would be abolished by the North. The propaganda mounted by the leaders of the North created doubt, terror, hatred and resentment in the people of the South. The leaders of the South were endeavouring their best for the expansion of slave system; hence Abraham Lincoln had talks with Stephen Douglas. Lincoln emphasized that slave system was immoral and unjust but Douglas could not be convinced and he emphasized that the issue of slavery fell within the provincial constitution. Hence feelings of terror spread which made the outbreak of Civil War imminent. Nationalism and honor Nationalism was a powerful force in the early 19th century, with famous spokesmen like Andrew Jackson and Daniel Webster. While practically all Northerners supported the Union, Southerners were split between those loyal to the entire United States (called "unionists") and those loyal primarily to the southern region and then the Confederacy. iv C. Vann Woodward said of the latter group, "A great slave society...had grown up and miraculously flourished in the heart of a thoroughly bourgeois and partly puritanical republic. It had renounced its bourgeois origins and elaborated and painfully rationalized its institutional, legal, metaphysical, and religious defenses....When the crisis came it chose to fight. It proved to be the death struggle of a society, which went down in ruins." Perceived insults to Southern collective honor included the enormous popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) and the actions of abolitionist John Brown in trying to incite a slave rebellion in 1859. While the South moved toward a Southern nationalism, leaders in the North were also becoming more nationally minded, and rejected any notion of splitting the Union. The Republican national electoral platform of 1860 warned that Republicans regarded disunion as treason and would not tolerate it: "We denounce those threats of disunion...as denying the vital principles of a free government, and as

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 an avowal of contemplated treason,which it is the imperative duty of an indignant people sternly to rebuke and forever silence."The South ignored the warnings:Southerners did not realize how ardently the North would fight to hold the Union together. Election of Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln occupied a significant place in the history of America.With the success of Lincoln in the election,it became a certainty that the slave system would not survive in America for a long time. Although Lincoln and his Republican party had not much stressed the point of slave system, however,the victory of Lincoln had given rise to the worry that the new government would abolish American institutions and civilization.It led the states of southern America to separate from the Union. Separation of Southern States The southern states of America did not take kindly to the success of Abraham Lincoln.Many southern leaders had already decided that they would not remain in the Union under the President of Republican party Carolina was the first state to oppose.She declared her separation from the Union on 20 December 1860.She declared that the laws of the individual independence which were passed by the thirteen northern states were not in accordance with the constitution Besides,the anti-slave movement of northern states had made their property,ie.,slaves insecure. On 4th March 1861 when Lincoln took over as President,seven states of the South had separated from the Union. These states formed a southern confederacy on 4 February 1861 and elected David Jefferson as their President.They made a separate constitution of their own in which every state was authorized to separate herself from the Union. Although the situation was quite grave,yet Lincoln wanted to avoid the blast.After his election,he declared as President of U.S.A.that there would be no break-up in the Union and her unity and integrity would be maintained at all costs.Thus,a civil war broke out between the army of Lincoln and that of the rebellious states. War brings a lot of losses.So did a Civil war,the Civil War proved to be the costliest war ever fought on American soil,with some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed,millions more injured and the population and territory of the South devastated.But thanks t this war America got rid of slavery.I think every person must be independent,so I against the slavery.Abraham Lincoln wanted to stop the expansion of slavery and put it on a course toward extinction,so we can say that he was one of the main parts of American Civil War. Foer,Eric.The Fiery Trial:Abraham Linco andmeri Slavery i Erc Foe Free Free Lbor Free Me:The ldeologye Republicn Party bore the ClWar v David Poter,The Impending Crisis 3

上海交通大学通识核心课程“历史视野下的美国文化”结业论文 3 an avowal of contemplated treason, which it is the imperative duty of an indignant people sternly to rebuke and forever silence." The South ignored the warnings: Southerners did not realize how ardently the North would fight to hold the Union together. Election of Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln occupied a significant place in the history of America. With the success of Lincoln in the election, it became a certainty that the slave system would not survive in America for a long time. Although Lincoln and his Republican party had not much stressed the point of slave system, however, the victory of Lincoln had given rise to the worry that the new government would abolish American institutions and civilization. It led the states of southern America to separate from the Union.v Separation of Southern States The southern states of America did not take kindly to the success of Abraham Lincoln. Many southern leaders had already decided that they would not remain in the Union under the President of Republican party. Carolina was the first state to oppose. She declared her separation from the Union on 20 December 1860. She declared that the laws of the individual independence which were passed by the thirteen northern states were not in accordance with the constitution. Besides, the anti-slave movement of northern states had made their property, i.e., slaves insecure. On 4th March 1861 when Lincoln took over as President, seven states of the South had separated from the Union. These states formed a southern confederacy on 4 February 1861 and elected David Jefferson as their President. They made a separate constitution of their own in which every state was authorized to separate herself from the Union. Although the situation was quite grave, yet Lincoln wanted to avoid the blast. After his election, he declared as President of U. S. A. that there would be no break-up in the Union and her unity and integrity would be maintained at all costs. Thus, a civil war broke out between the army of Lincoln and that of the rebellious states. War brings a lot of losses. So did a Civil war, the Civil War proved to be the costliest war ever fought on American soil, with some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed, millions more injured and the population and territory of the South devastated. But thanks t this war America got rid of slavery. I think every person must be independent, so I against the slavery. Abraham Lincoln wanted to stop the expansion of slavery and put it on a course toward extinction, so we can say that he was one of the main parts of American Civil War. i James C. Bradford, A companion to American military history ii Foner, Eric. "The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery" iii Eric Foner, Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men: The Ideology of the Republican Party before the Civil War iv David M. Potter, "The Historian's Use of Nationalism and Vice Versa," American Historical Review v David Potter, The Impending Crisis