HIST 101Survey of American History I M07: Discussion 10

Covering Chapter 12 and "House Divided" (Links to an external site.)reading online:

1) Analyze the major developments [hint: four] between 1848 and 1861 that contributed to the Civil War. Can one argue that one was the most significant? Explain.

2) Summarize the main points of Lincoln’s House Divided Speech. Why would someone from the South who followed the ideological discussions around the question of slavery have reason to be concerned about Lincoln’s opinions as stated in this address? Would this speech satisfy an ardent abolitionist? Why or why not? How do the ideas of this speech reflect the times in which it was given? What other main events in the march towards Civil War have influenced Lincoln’s thinking on slavery and the part it plays in the union at this point in the disintegration of the Union? From what he says in this speech what are Lincoln’s thought on the founders of the United States or rather those who wrote the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia? Address at least two of these issues in your initial posting.

1) Analyze the major developments [hint: four] between 1848 and 1861 that contributed to the Civil War. Can one argue that one was the most significant? Explain.

The major developments between 1848 and 1861 that contributed to the Civil War were; first, a sectional dispute over the extension of slavery into the western territories; second, the breakdown of the political party system; third, growing cultural differences in the views and lifestyles of the southerners and northerners; and fourth, intensifying emotional and idealogical polarization between the two regions over losing their way of life and sacred republican rights at the hands of the other. What we can see here is through all of these events that contributed to the Civil War there were ..

many emotions stirred up, mistrust, and irreconcilable differences made conflict inevitable.

2) Summarize the main points of Lincoln’s House Divided Speech. Why would someone from the South who followed the ideological discussions around the question of slavery have reason to be concerned about Lincoln’s opinions as stated in this address? Would this speech satisfy an ardent abolitionist? Why or why not? How do the ideas of this speech reflect the times in which it was given? What other main events in the march towards Civil War have influenced Lincoln’s thinking on slavery and the part it plays in the union at this point in the disintegration of the Union? From what he says in this speech what are Lincoln’s thought on the founders of the United States or rather those who wrote the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia? Address at least two of these issues in your initial posting.

The main points of Lincoln's House Divided Speech start with the famous quote, "A House divided against itself cannot stand." He also followed with saying, "...I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free." Lincoln's passion for freedom to all people shook the foundation of the democratic and republican parties, stirred up previous arguments from other politicians. His simple mission in mind was to grant all human beings dignity and equality. Someone from the south who was opposing these thoughts of Lincoln's would have reason to be worried since it was evident his radical but impactful statements were going to change law's and change their status of control in the midst of slavery. When Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States was another event that took this freedom of slaves to the next level. He was willing and ready to use force if states did not comply with the new laws of releasing and undoing the works of slavery.