Civil War Dbq Essay

Slavery can be defined as when a person can be the legal property of another and they are forced to obey them. A war between the north and south, The Civil War, took place from 1861 to 1865. The North, or the United States of America and the South, or the Confederate States of America fought over whether slavery should or should not be allowed. Although slavery was the ultimate cause of the Civil War, economics, politics, and morality all played a major role in the build up towards the war, as evidenced by the economies of the north and south, the power that both free and slave states wanted, and the question of whether slavery is right or wrong. There were many causes of the Civil War, economics being the first and most important. In

In the letter to Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson describes his opinion on the question of whether to allow slavery in Missouri. Jefferson says, “...It is not a moral question, but one merely of power…,” (Document A). In other words, Thomas Jefferson understands that people only care about which section, free or slave states, has more power in government. In the map titled, “The Missouri Compromise, 1820,” it shows which states are slave states and which states are free states. According to the map, Maine entered the Union as a free state and Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, (Document B). The free and slave states both shared the power, therefore creating an equal balance in government. But if another state was to enter the Union, it would upset the balance between the states, which could have potentially led to war. In 1850, John C.Calhoun, describes to Congress how by admitting California to the Union the balance between free and slave states will not remain equal. Calhoun states, “With the intention of destroying, irretrievably, the equilibrium between the two sections,” (Document C). In other words, John C. Calhoun explained how if California had the opportunity to be admitted into the Union, one section (free or slave states) will have more power than the other. If one section has more power in government than the other, the section with less power would want to go to war. However, economics and politics

In the painting of John Brown at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it illustrates how the slaves admired John Brown for fighting for the slaves rights. The photo shows John Brown leaving a building while slaves gather to see him. One slave is seen holding their baby up towards Brown, (Document D). This shows how John Brown wanted slavery to be abolished but other Southerners did not feel this way, which contributed to war. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe provides evidence of how America should follow a different example. Harriet Beecher Stowe states, “May America yet emulate her example,” (Document E). This means that Harriet Beecher Stowe feels that America should follow England's example and allow slaves to have the rights they deserve. The South did not agree with Harriet Beecher Stowe or other Northerners which is why they wanted to go to war. In the book titled, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe discusses slavery. Harriet Beecher Stowe explains the necessity of ending slavery, (Document F). This illustrates how Harriet Beecher Stowe saw the wickedness of slavery and wanted other Northerners to see the topic of slavery the way she saw it. In 1859, John Brown spoke at his sentencing about slavery. Brown describes his personal opinion on slavery. John Brown states, “If it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice,” (Document J). In other words, John