Wednesday, September 26, 2012
What causes a crisis?
Historians usually refer to the period before the American Civil War as a crisis in some way. The crises took many forms, however--sectional, social, and they even transcended directly into the polical arena (i.e. the caning of Charles Sumner). After reading the introductory piece on the war's causes, what stands out to you the most as a cause of crisis? Defend your position--as we all know, there were myriad causes to this war.
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I think that many of these events created tension in The United States, but I do believe that the election of Abraham Lincoln set off the spark in the beginning of the civil war. Free vs. slave states was at the height of its debate at the time Lincoln was elected. The view of the president is critical to the way the country is going to function. Every Southerner wanted a pro-slavery president and every northern wanted the opposite. It was evident that Lincoln was an extreme opposer of slavery. This means that naturally, slavery's end seemed feasible and northerners in particular were thrilled (87% of northerns voted for Lincoln!!!!). On the other hand, southerners were infuriated by the election if Lincoln. The fact that his name didn't appear on some of the ballots demonstrated southern discontent. I believe that this fury and extreme difference of opinions was the primary cause of the civil war.
ReplyDeleteI truly think that the most substantial form of crisis is the diversity between the north and south. As time progressed the two began to differ in many ways. The North was becoming much more industrialized and urban. While the south remained at a more agricultural state and continued to relie solely on slavery to survive. The article reads, "By 1860, many northerners viewed slavery as an outdated labor system and an embarrassment to American democracy." By this time there is defiantly a strong tension between the north and south.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was a crisis was when Lincoln took office. This was really opposed in the south and caused a panic in the southerners. This panic was because Lincoln was from the North and didnt agree with the South's ideas and ways. They knew that Lincoln had the power to radically change the South's way of life and income. This panic was the start of the American Civil War.
ReplyDeleteThe Dred Scott Decision was the most cause of crisis because although it was not an immediate spark to war, it did make war inevitable because it "made all compromise over slavery impossible". If compromise through the law is not possible, and neither side intended on giving in, then war would be the only solution to the question of slavery.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that when Lincoln took office that was the "straw that broke the camal's back" and was the biggest of the crises. What i mean by this is that Lincoln was seen as a northern who was against slavery so when he came into office the southerners knew it was only a matter of time before slavery was abolished. I also think that the economical differences between the North and the South was a crisis as well. The way that the north was becoming so dependent on technology and the way that the slave labour of the south was so inefficient compared to a machine like the reaper. the way technology changed the "game" of slavery is fascinating as well. the growing differences of the economies and the Election of Lincoln is what pushed the American Civil War into action.
ReplyDeleteI think that Lincoln taking office was the deciding factor between tensions in the North and South, and all out war. The South had intentions on pushing over the newly elected president, and expanding slavery into newly acquired territories. The Southerners were deeply afraid that their great industry - that keeps food on their table, would come to an end under Lincoln. This made the South quickly act and seceded from the Union. The North had to retaliate in order to keep the Union together, and war ensued. On top of this, there was a substantial difference between Norther people and Southern people, which made negotiation between the two sides almost impossible. War was imminent after Lincoln declared that he wanted slavery abolished and he was elected.
ReplyDeleteI think that Lincoln taking office was the stand out moment in the build up to the Civil War. The article said that Lincoln's name was not even in the ballot in some states during the election. This means that Southerners did not like Lincoln's policies, and that with him as President, they would no longer want to be a part of the US. The North and South were growing apart in other ways as well, such as their respective economies. The North was expanding its manufacturing, while the South was still importing slaves to pick cotton. Lincoln being elected as President was the last straw from the perspective of a Southerner.
ReplyDeleteThe distinct division between northerners and southerners was what ultimately resulted in the civil war, but when Lincoln's new position was the catalyst. The south became very worried that their industry would cease under Lincoln as president, so they succeeded from the Union. War sparked as the North attempted to sustain its unity with the south.
ReplyDeleteThe division of the ideological mindsets of the North and the South were the cause for the Civil War. The North thought that slavery was antiquated and embarrassing, they preferred industry over agriculture. The South needed Slavery for their economy and thought abolishing slavery was ridiculous. Lincoln's election and his preference for the North's ideas is what caused the Civil War because his ideas were so different from many Southerners.
ReplyDeleteI think that the crisis became most prominent when Lincoln became president. The fact that the south opposed his ideals to such an extreme was what really push an already subject over the edge into war.
ReplyDeleteI think the main problem which causes the crisis was that the Northern States sax themselves as more modern and better than the Southern States. They didn't want to expand slavery because they wanted to keep having a clean record. For them, Slavery was „an embarresment for American Democracy“ and that's why they wanted rather white wage labourers in the west than black slave labourers. But the Southern economy was based on the cotton production which required slavery in their eyes. And as Abraham Lincoln, who supported northern ideas, was voted for president, they knew that they had lost the fight and separated from the United States.
ReplyDeleteThe division became distinct for two reasons. First off, the huge economy difference; which the north is the "industry beast" and the
ReplyDeletesouth is the old fashion kingdom, once those two goes together and argue with each other, there is going to be a fight. Also, Lincoln
took the place really make the southern panic because Lincoln is on the north side which put a sharp political weapon into north's hands. Imagine your potential enemy is stronger, taller than you and with heavy, sharp powerful weapon on hand, any body could have the desire to fight to protect himself.