What Caused the Civil War?
Grade 11 · Social Studies · 45 min
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can analyze the major causes of the Civil War.
Warm-Up Video
Heimler's History · 6:23
The FAILURE of Compromise Pre-Civil War [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 6] Period 5: 1844-1877
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
According to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the territories of Kansas and Nebraska would decide whether to allow slavery based on popular sovereignty, which meant the people living in those territories would decide for themselves.
- 2
The Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision stated that enslaved people were not citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court, and also that slave owners could take their "property" into any territory or state.
- 3
The Whig party became divided between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, while the Republican party was created in 1854, uniting groups who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Practice Questions
9 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Name and describe two major events that contributed to the start of the Civil War.”
Complete Lesson Package
Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:
