Diffusing the Civil War Fight

Diffusing the Civil War Fight

Often times in history nations, like individuals, can not settle differences and problems. The result is brutal war, a big fight between thousands of individuals using destructive weapons upon one another.

First, follow the steps for diffusing a fight. Choose up to four people from U.S. History who are listed below. Explain in a four-part treaty why you THINK that person's ideas are the best for stopping a war. Add one of your own ideas. Review the differences between the North and South.

Ask the following questions:

1. Which ideas would keep a calm situation between the North and South? Why
2. Which ideas sets the record straight according to the U.S. Constitution? Why?
3. Which ideas cause the most agreement between the North and South? Why?
4. Which ideas show the most understanding between the North and South? Why?
5. Which ideas will solve the problem of division and secession and diffuse the fight of the Civil War?

Differences between the North and South by 1850

North - Union

1. Some in the north were abolitionists who wanted a complete end to slavery saying that slavery goes against the Declaration of Independence. A matter of interpretation.
2. They favored a high tariff, or tax on imports, to protect their industries.
3. They believed in a strong three-branch system of government under the U.S. Constitution, where the states could not nullify, or overturn a federal law. Ex: Slavery or high tariffs.
4. Northern businesses believed in using cheap labor instead of slavery for their factories producing clothes, furniture, guns, and food products.
5. The slave trade ended in 1808 according to a Constitutional deal. Many northern states, not all, abolished slavery in their states.
6. Leaders like Andrew Jackson, Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln, and Henry Clay thought that secession was treason.

South - Confederates

1. The biggest argument many southerners had was that the Constitution was a contract government created by the people of the original 13 states and those states could leave that Union if they wanted to. STATE'S RIGHTS
2. Many southerners believed that the Constitution allowed the states to overturn or nullify a law made by the Congress & President in Washington D.C.
3. They believed in a low tariff because many southerners bought products from Britain, France, and Spain. Tariffs made their products more expensive to buy.
4. Southerners wanted slavery to spread into the new lands from the Louisiana Territory and the Mexican Cession lands from the Mexican American War. Northern Congressman opposed this argument.
5. 25% of southerners depended on slave labor to work their cotton and tobacco plantations. Without slave labor, they would lose their profits.