The Civil War Opposing Slavery - 1139 Words

Before the Civil War: Opposing Slavery â€Å"By 1860, the South contained more slaves than all the other slave societies in the New World combined’ (Roark, 331). Slavery was the backbone of the American Southern states’ economy, a highly controversial topic, and eventually the cause of the American Civil war. Even before the Civil War, there were many American groups who opposed slavery. In the early 19th century there were several forces that opposed slavery, both in the North and the South, they used different methods, but were all striving for the same goal, the freedom of slaves in the United States of America. There were three influential forces in the North and two in the South. Opposition to slavery occurred in both the North and the†¦show more content†¦The Abolitionists strived for legal emancipation, and a few Northern blacks encouraged a fight for freedom, but one group actively worked for the freedom of slaves one at a time. The final Northern force which opposed slavery during the early nineteenth century, was those who assisted escaped slaves to freedom. Some, but not all, of these people were part of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a route to freedom, marked by safe houses also called â€Å"stations† to fit with the railroad theme. These stations were manned by sympathetic Northern whites and free Northern blacks nicknamed â€Å"conductors†. According to The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia the Underground Railroad was â€Å"established by abolitionists in defiance of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850† (Underground Railroad). The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stated that Southerners could pursue their slaves into the North and also that Northerners legally needed to assist in the recapture of escaped slaves (Roark, 362). The destinations of the Underground Railroad included Canada and safe areas in Northern states. Many people participated in the Underground Rai lroad as conductors, others assisted escaped slaves even if they were not part of the Underground Railroad. Although the Underground Railroad assisted many slaves to freedom, the actual organization and extent of the railroadShow MoreRelatedEssay on Emancipation1140 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1860, the nation was locked in a Civil War. This tragic war, which lasted from 1861 to 1877, was mainly caused by the diverging society between the North and the South. The war divided the country between the North (Union) and South (Confederate). There were many factors that led to the war and the chief ones were political, social, and economic differences between the North and the South. Slavery was a major issue that triggered the American Civil War. Basically the South wanted and neededRead MoreEssay about Causes Of The Civil War647 Words   |  3 Pages What was the cause of the civil war? How did it start and what was the uprising action that lead up to this deadly event? Well, back over 150 years ago when slavery was on the rise the people would go back and forth to determine whether or not slavery was a good or bad thing to have. Some of this uprise was because at different points in time there was more free states then slave states and that bothered the slave states because they were losing land to expand out onto that was below the theRead MoreThe Dred Scott Trial, Bleeding Kansa1536 Words   |  7 PagesThe Civil War had many things that contributed to the start of it such as slavery. Events like The Underground Railroad, Missouri Compromise, Nat Turner Rebellion, compromise of 1850, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the Dred Scott trial, Bleeding Kansa, John Brown Raid, Abe’s Election and the Battle of Fort Sumter. All of these events had key factors, even the smallest things add up. 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As the sky grew black with smoke, angry tears began streaming do wn Margaret’s face. Why can’t the anti-slavery settlers just leave us alone? Why are they being so violent? What have we done to them? All we want is land to settle on! Margaret wondered in disheartenment. For settlers who had rushed to claim land in Kansas and Nebraska in the stormy 1850’s,Read MoreU.s. Congress Declared War Against Mexico Essay1681 Words   |  7 PagesEighteen-Forty Six, The U.S. Congress declared war against Mexico. The U.S. congress, pushed by president James K. Polk, declared war in light of many differences of political standings with a few hot button topics. The main points of issue where the two countries opposing views on slavery, the annexation of Texas and California , as well as the idea of the Manifest Destiny. The standings Mexico and the United States had on these problems directed the countries for war. 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Over 237- named battles were fought and a couple famous ones being the â€Å"Battle of Fort Sumter†, and â€Å"Battle of Palmito Ranch†. The victory was for the Union, however there was a poin t in the Civil War where the Confederacy was winning which left the people astonished. The Civil war was causedRead MoreThe Civil War And The American War Essay1652 Words   |  7 PagesThe war with the most death of Americans was not the World Wars, Cold War, Vietnam War or Korean War, but the Civil War. The Civil War is one of the most monumental moments in the United States that threaten the stability of the Union. The United States was split into two opposing sides, the Union and the Confederates, with opposing ideas; Americans pinned against one another in combat for their ideals and goals. 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