The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion: Crash Course US History #18

CrashCourse
13 Jun 201314:16
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this episode of Crash Course US History, John Green discusses the leading causes of the American Civil War, emphasizing that slavery was the central issue. He covers the controversial Fugitive Slave Law, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the rise of the Republican Party. Green also highlights the impact of the Dred Scott decision, which further fueled the belief in a 'slave power' conspiracy controlling the government. The episode concludes with the election of Abraham Lincoln and the secession of Southern states, setting the stage for the Civil War. The video underscores the importance of recognizing the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of race, as a fundamental principle for the nation's unity and progress.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The Civil War was primarily caused by the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories.
  • 🗣️ Mr. Fleming's question about a state's rights to what highlights the complexity of states' rights arguments, often linked to the defense of slavery.
  • 🛤️ The development of railroads and the push for a transcontinental railroad played a significant role in the economic and political debates leading to the Civil War.
  • 🌐 The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the idea of popular sovereignty were pivotal in creating new tensions over the spread of slavery and the formation of new states.
  • 🚫 The Fugitive Slave Law was highly controversial as it forced citizens to aid in the capture of runaway slaves, even in states where slavery was not practiced.
  • 🤝 Stephen Douglas's support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act demonstrated his attempt to navigate the contentious issue of slavery without taking a clear stance.
  • 🔍 The Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court further deepened divisions by ruling that black people were not U.S. citizens and had no rights that white people were bound to respect.
  • 🔴 The rise of the Republican Party was a direct response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the perceived spread of "slave power" in the government.
  • 🗳️ Abraham Lincoln's election to the presidency was a critical turning point, as it signaled the end of slave power's influence and led to the secession of several Southern states.
  • ⚖️ The belief in a pro-slavery conspiracy, or "slave power," grew among Northerners, contributing to the growing divide between the North and South.
  • 🔴 The Civil War became inevitable due to the failure to recognize the inalienable rights of black Americans, which were as significant as those of white Americans.
Q & A

  • What is the primary cause of the American Civil War as discussed in the video?

    -The primary cause of the American Civil War, as discussed in the video, is slavery.

  • What was the controversial aspect of the Fugitive Slave Law introduced as part of the Compromise of 1850?

    -The controversial aspect of the Fugitive Slave Law was that it required any citizen to turn in anyone they knew to be a slave to authorities, even if they personally found the law abhorrent.

  • How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act impact the Missouri Compromise?

    -The Kansas-Nebraska Act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing the possibility of slavery in new states north of the Missouri Compromise line, based on popular sovereignty.

  • What was the role of Stephen Douglas in the push for a transcontinental railroad?

    -Stephen Douglas was a strong backer of the transcontinental railroad, believing it would bind the union together and benefit his home state of Illinois.

  • What was the significance of the Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court in 1857?

    -The Dred Scott decision held that black people were not considered U.S. citizens and therefore had no rights that a white man was bound to respect, effectively ruling that they could be considered property and slaves, even in free states.

  • How did the election of Abraham Lincoln contribute to the start of the Civil War?

    -Abraham Lincoln's election was seen as a threat by the South because he was from the Republican party, which was against the extension of slavery. His election led to several Southern states seceding from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America.

  • What was the 'slave power' conspiracy theory mentioned in the video?

    -The 'slave power' conspiracy theory suggested the existence of a secret cabal of pro-slavery congressmen controlling the U.S. government, doing the bidding of rich plantation owners.

  • Why did many people of color in the North respond to the Fugitive Slave Law by moving to Canada?

    -People of color in the North moved to Canada because the Fugitive Slave Law made them vulnerable to being sent back into slavery even if they were born free, as a single person's sworn claim before a judge could result in their enslavement.

  • What was the importance of the railroads during the Civil War era?

    -Railroads were important during the Civil War era because they made shipping cheaper and more efficient, allowed for quicker movement of people around the country, and were a significant factor in the economic development and connectivity of the states.

  • How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act contribute to the formation of the Republican Party?

    -The Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for the potential spread of slavery into new territories, led to the creation of the Republican Party as a coalition of former Free-Soilers, Northern anti-slavery Whigs, and some Know-Nothings, all dedicated to stopping the extension of slavery.

  • What was the impact of the Dred Scott decision on the perception of the U.S. government in the North?

    -The Dred Scott decision reinforced the Northern perception that the government, including Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court, was under the control of a 'Slave Power', further dividing the nation and contributing to the tensions that led to the Civil War.

Outlines
00:00
📚 The Civil War's Root Cause: Slavery

John Green introduces the topic of the Civil War, addressing the misconception that the causes are complex. He asserts that slavery was the primary cause, despite discussions of states' rights, nationalism, and economics. The script also humorously references a past encounter with a teacher, Mr. Fleming, which highlights the contentious nature of discussing states' rights. The narrative moves on to the Compromise of 1850 and the controversial Fugitive Slave Law, which required citizens to return slaves to their owners, turning ordinary people into enforcers of a law they might find repugnant. The law's impact on people of color in the North is also discussed, with many choosing to move to Canada. The segment ends with a mention of the 'slave power' conspiracy theory, which suggested a pro-slavery congress controlled the government.

05:05
🛤️ The Impact of Railroads and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

The video script discusses the transformative role of railroads in the Civil War era, making transportation cheaper and more efficient. Stephen Douglas, an Illinois congressman, is highlighted as a key supporter of a transcontinental railroad, seeing it as a way to unite the nation and benefit his home state. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 is introduced as a legislative effort to organize territories for the expansion of the railroad. This act established the principle of popular sovereignty, allowing (white) residents of territories to decide on the legality of slavery. The Act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, leading to violence in Kansas and the formation of the Republican Party, which was against the spread of slavery. The script also touches on the economic interests of the North, which viewed the potential spread of slavery into new states as a threat.

10:10
🗳️ The Election of Abraham Lincoln and the Secession of the South

The final paragraph summarizes the events leading to the election of Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent secession of Southern states. It discusses the rise of the Republican Party, which included former Free-Soilers and Northern anti-slavery Whigs. The paragraph also covers the Dred Scott decision, which declared that black people were not U.S. citizens and had no rights a white man was bound to respect, further fueling the perception of a 'Slave Power' conspiracy. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry is mentioned, as is his subsequent martyrdom for the abolitionist cause. The narrative concludes with the 1860 presidential election, where Lincoln's victory, despite not appearing on the ballots of nine states, led to the secession of several Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. The paragraph ends with the attack on Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Civil War
The Civil War refers to the conflict fought between 1861 and 1865 in the United States. It was primarily a result of longstanding economic, social, and political differences between the Northern and Southern states, with slavery being a central issue. In the video, the Civil War is discussed as an inevitable outcome of the deep-rooted differences and the failure to recognize the rights of black Americans.
💡Slavery
Slavery was the system under which individuals were treated as property and were forced to work against their will. It was a major cause of the Civil War, as the Southern economy was heavily dependent on it, while the North was moving towards abolition. The video emphasizes that slavery was the root cause of the Civil War, as it was central to the disagreements over states' rights and economic systems.
💡States' Rights
States' rights refer to the principle that individual U.S. states have certain powers reserved to them under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In the context of the video, the concept of states' rights is mentioned as a secondary issue to slavery, with the question posed, 'A state's rights to what?' highlighting the underlying issue of maintaining the institution of slavery.
💡Fugitive Slave Law
The Fugitive Slave Law, part of the Compromise of 1850, required that runaway slaves, even those in free states, be returned to their owners. It was controversial because it forced citizens to participate in the enforcement of slavery, which many in the North found morally repugnant. The video discusses how this law contributed to the growing tensions leading up to the Civil War.
💡Railroads
Railroads played a significant role in the expansion and economic development of the United States during the 19th century. In the video, they are highlighted as a key factor in the push for a transcontinental railroad, which was championed by Stephen Douglas. The railroads are also noted as a symbol of the economic divide between the agricultural South and the industrializing North.
💡Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise. The act led to violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas and was a significant step towards the Civil War. The video describes how this act further polarized the country on the issue of slavery.
💡Republican Party
The Republican Party, as mentioned in the video, was formed as a coalition dedicated to stopping the spread of slavery into new territories and states. It was a sectional party, drawing support primarily from the free states of the North and West. The party's rise is tied to the broader theme of the video, which is the growing opposition to slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War.
💡Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1857 that declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be considered American citizens and therefore had no legal right to sue in federal court. The decision is highlighted in the video as a pivotal moment that further entrenched the belief in the 'Slave Power' conspiracy and contributed to the growing sectional divide.
💡John Brown
John Brown was an abolitionist who is mentioned in the video for his raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. The raid, which aimed to arm slaves for a rebellion against their masters, was a failure and resulted in Brown's execution. Brown's actions and his subsequent martyrdom are depicted as a symbol of the extreme measures some were willing to take in the fight against slavery.
💡Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is a central figure in the video's narrative. His election in 1860 on a platform opposing the spread of slavery was a catalyst for the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War. Lincoln's stance on slavery and his role in the events leading up to the war underscore the video's exploration of the causes and inevitability of the conflict.
💡Secession
Secession refers to the act of withdrawing from a political entity, in this case, the United States. The video discusses how the election of Abraham Lincoln led to the secession of several Southern states, which then formed the Confederate States of America. This act of secession is presented as a direct response to the perceived threat to the institution of slavery and a key step towards the Civil War.
Highlights

The Civil War was primarily caused by the issue of slavery.

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was controversial because it required citizens to turn in known slaves to authorities.

The Fugitive Slave Law led to many people of color in the North moving to Canada to escape potential enslavement.

The idea of a 'slave power' conspiracy theory emerged, suggesting pro-slavery congressmen controlled the government.

Railroads played a significant role in the Civil War by making shipping cheaper and more efficient.

Stephen Douglas pushed for a transcontinental railroad, leading to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act introduced the concept of popular sovereignty, allowing residents to decide on the state of slavery.

The Act led to violence in Kansas and the creation of the Republican Party, which opposed the extension of slavery.

The Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court in 1857 declared that black people were not U.S. citizens and could be considered property.

John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 aimed to arm slaves for a rebellion but ended in his capture and execution.

Abraham Lincoln's election as President in 1860 led to the secession of several Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America.

The Civil War began with the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861.

The failure to recognize the rights of black Americans as equal to those of white Americans made the Civil War inevitable.

The Crash Course US History episode was produced by Stan Muller and written by Raoul Meyer and John Green.

The show's script supervisor is Meredith Danko, and the associate producer is Danica Johnson.

The graphics for the show are created by Thought Café.

The episode did not have a caption due to the controversial nature of Chief Justice Roger Taney's decisions.

Transcripts

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American HistoryCivil WarSlaveryStates RightsAbraham LincolnFugitive Slave LawKansas Nebraska ActRepublican PartyDred ScottJohn BrownElection 1860Supreme Court