Title: Civil War Causes
1Civil War Causes
- Why They Fought- North
- The Union-symbol of America leaving would be
treason - Anti Slavery-opposed to expansion more than
ending slavery, morally wrong - Democracy- a plot to win a war they lost at the
ballot box, secession violates the ideals of
majority rule
2Why they fought- South
- States rights-each state could join or leave
depending on the will of the people - Slavery- Considered the way of life in the
south-freeing slaves would create social and
economic chaos - Liberty-Government couldnt be trusted to
protect their property and the south was being
dominated by the industrial north. Better to
leave with their liberties intact.
3North South
Population 23 states 22,000,000 11 states 9,000,000 including 3,500,000 slaves
Economic resources 75of coal iron copper and precious metals Practically none developed
Agriculture 89,000,000 acres in diversified crops 75,000,000 acres in primarily cotton for trade
4North South
Manufacturing 92 8
Transportation vastly superior including 20,000 miles of RR Poor roads 10,000 miles of RR
Territory Twice the amount of southern states 23 states 11 states
5North South
Banking National banking system 74 of banking deposits Inferior 24
Sympathy of Foreign nations Germany and Russia France and England
Attitude towards war Political factions opposed Copperheads United in Favor
6North South
Aims for war Preserve union Establish a confederacy with slavery
Government finances Established credit with treasury department with money supply No money or credit
Initial call for troops 75,000 volunteers Later a draft Possessed a navy 100,000 volunteers Later a draft
7North South
Financing the war Taxation special tax on production of iron coal oil steel 1. Excise tax on luxury items 2.loans 3.Paper money-greenbacks 4.national banks notes 5. donations 6.domestic bonds 7. Raising tariffs Confederate currency Borrowing
8North South
Leaders Political generals unorganized and ill trained at beginning of war Superior at outset of war southerners were used to outdoors and familiar with firearms
9North South
War plan Anaconda Policy Blockade the ports control Mississippi cutting off west and march to coast splitting the south( Divide and Conquer) Capture the capital Richmond King cotton Theory- England and other would come to their aid and remove blockade to get their cotton Invade North and scare them into a panic and treaty of peace Fight a defensive war making it last until North tires