Introduction
This paper will analyze the following four events which were significantly responsible for the manifestation of the Civil War in America. Each of the events will be discussed from the political and social perspectives in explaining how they influenced the people. It is also evident that all the four events are inter-related in being major causes that led to the igniting of the Civil War.
- 1794- The cotton Gin was created by Eli Whitney which increased the production of clean cotton and added a new value to slavery.
- 1832- The Tariff Act of 1832 did reduce some duties and the south is still not satisfied so they threatened secession.
- 1852- Harriet Beacher Stowe published her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
- 1859-John Brown led the attack on Harper’s Ferry.
1794 – The cotton Gin was created by Eli Whitney which increased the production of clean cotton and added a new value to slavery
The invention of the cotton gin in 1794 by Eli Whitney led to the tumultuous increase in the production of cotton which considerably helped in the revival of a sagging economy in the southern parts of America. Farmers now began to earn good profits as a result of a process that saved time and labor. The increased demand for cotton made farmers to change the rules of crop rotation and began to cultivate large tracts of land for cotton. However the invention also contributed in increasing the tension between the North and South. After the invention of cotton gin there was considerable increase in the demand for cotton because it became possible to de-seed faster. Such an increase in demand had immediate effect on the demand for slaves since more hands were required to pick the cotton. It was clear that more cotton implied that more slaves were required, thus enhancing the value of slaves.
Tensions also grew because of tariffs that were introduced as a result of the increased activities resulting from the invention of the cotton gin. Most of the mechanized cotton manufacturing companies were in the north and cotton was required to be sent from the south. Congress had introduced high tariff rates for manufactured cotton and although the tariffs proved to be good for cotton manufacturers, consumers in the south had to pay higher prices for the cotton cloth, which led to further tensions between the two sides.
The economy began to be dependent on cotton production and a large percentage of the population was forced to become dependent on the crop. This resulted to be catastrophic to the majority of the farmers when prices declined due to operation of market forces. Slavery was much impacted by the invention of the cotton gin. The cotton gin played an important social role since the increased demand for cotton caused the continuation of slavery until it was formally dissolved after the Civil War.
1832 – The Tariff Act of 1832 did reduce some duties and the south is still not satisfied so they threatened secession
The tariff Act of 1832 was in the nature of being a protectionist tariff in America. It was primarily implemented in being a solution to the conflicts created by the Tariff Act of 1828. However it could not satisfactorily address the grievances of southerners and other groups that were adversely impacted by the high rates of tariffs. The strong pro union approach adopted by President Jackson had resulted in a lot of opposition from leaders in the South. The Tariff Act of 1832 was enacted and soon a state convention was called for by South Carolina which passed an ordinance for its nullification. The tariff was declared null and void by the ordinance and a number of endorsements in South Carolina made the state to forcefully oppose efforts of the federal government to put the Act in operation. A strong proclamation was issued by President Jackson in reply to the resistance by the state and a force bill was placed before the American Senate to confer authority on the federal government to use the armed forces to enforce the practices required by the Tariff Act of 1832. At the same time, President Jackson was internally convinced that the Southerners had a genuine grievance and encouraged the forerunners of the opposition led by Henry Clay to frame a proposal that would be acceptable by the South. A compromise package was hastily introduced and passed in 1833 which was formally accepted by the South Carolina State Convention. The state preserved its prerogative to adopt new ordnance but the matter was not resolved until Abraham Lincoln became President. The Tariff Act of 1832 was significantly responsible for inflating the pent-up feelings in the South and was one of the major factors that contributed to adding to the causes of the Civil War.
1852 – Harriet Beacher Stowe published her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beacher Stowe caused many Americans to express sympathy with the cause of the abolition of slavery. However, the book was responsible for increasing sectional conflicts and tension amongst the south and the north in regard to the issue of slavery. The book was overshadowed by the theme pertaining to the immorality and evil practices related to slavery. The author laid much emphasis on the connection between motherhood, Christianity and the horror of slavery. The book played a major part in contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War in America by making personal issues out of the economic and political aspects related to slavery. The book had such a dramatic influence on people that even political speeches and newspaper reports could not have a similar impact on Americans in realizing and ascertaining the kind of nation that they desired (Stowe, 1982).
The book was much praised as a big achievement in putting a human face on people held as slaves and in making Americans understand the impact that slavery had on family life. The book helped a great deal in making people empathize with the difficulties and hardships faced by enslaved mothers. The book contributed significantly in framing large-scale public opinion against the issue of slavery and is considered a major cause of the Civil War.
1859 – John Brown led the attack on Harper’s Ferry
The attack on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown is a typical example of how abolitionist initiatives by an individual played a major role in leading to the Civil War. John Brown, in attacking Harper’s Ferry, had hoped that after his attack on the town’s armory, the slaves in the entire area would connect with him in rebelling en masse so that all the slaves would be eventually freed of slavery. But to his disappointment, the assault on Harper’s Ferry was a total failure since the slaves did not join him and he was arrested. The raid is considered one of the innumerable happenings that ignited the Civil War.
John Brown was found guilty and executed, but he became a symbol that polarized the nation and considerably enhanced the enmity amongst the abolitionists and those that supported slavery. For abolitionists, he became a martyr who fought for the cause of ending slavery while for those that supported slavery he was an insane murderer.
Brown had won the admiration of minorities and his trial had increased the mistrust that Southerners had against what they viewed as a menacing North. Brown’s raid had increased the instances of political dissent and propelled the issue of slaves to virtually erupt in political circles. The incident altered the dynamics of segmented politics and accelerated the process of disunion. Brown’s failure in essence had triggered a conflict that was very large.
References
Stowe, Harriet Beacher, (1982). Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Bantam Classics.