Episode One: The Cause (1861):PBS Civil War Documentary
1) Consider the events leading, directly or indirectly, to the Civil War. Was slavery the main issue for the war’s beginning? What were other contributing factors?
What began it was a bitter dispute over Union and states rights and it ended up as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America.
2) If slavery began in this country in 1619, why did it take 200 years for it to become such a divisive issue? What specific events helped to make slavery an issue of public debate?
It was the establishment of the United States in independence from Great Britain, with slavery still a big part of its heritage. We failed at compromise. Slavery was on everyone’s mind. In 1793, a northerner Eli Whitney taught the south how to make slavery pay. His invention, the gin, made it easier to separate cotton from its seed. Slavery was sin, those who maintained it were criminals. The Abolition press got people talking about slavery. John Brown wanted a destruction of slavery, and he promised it would happen. In 1852, the book ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ was published. It portrayed the cruelty of slavery. In 1854, Congress allowed settlers in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery. A lot of people took slaves for granted.
A Short Summary about the first 30 minutes
When Watching this film, I really understood what caused the war. I didn’t think it was slavery, I thought it was because of pride and jealousy. Also, I really learned about how slaves were really treated during the war. I can’t believe how people felt about slaves. I'm glad slavery was dealt with and no longer is here in the United States.
1) Consider the events leading, directly or indirectly, to the Civil War. Was slavery the main issue for the war’s beginning? What were other contributing factors?
What began it was a bitter dispute over Union and states rights and it ended up as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America.
2) If slavery began in this country in 1619, why did it take 200 years for it to become such a divisive issue? What specific events helped to make slavery an issue of public debate?
It was the establishment of the United States in independence from Great Britain, with slavery still a big part of its heritage. We failed at compromise. Slavery was on everyone’s mind. In 1793, a northerner Eli Whitney taught the south how to make slavery pay. His invention, the gin, made it easier to separate cotton from its seed. Slavery was sin, those who maintained it were criminals. The Abolition press got people talking about slavery. John Brown wanted a destruction of slavery, and he promised it would happen. In 1852, the book ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ was published. It portrayed the cruelty of slavery. In 1854, Congress allowed settlers in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery. A lot of people took slaves for granted.
A Short Summary about the first 30 minutes
When Watching this film, I really understood what caused the war. I didn’t think it was slavery, I thought it was because of pride and jealousy. Also, I really learned about how slaves were really treated during the war. I can’t believe how people felt about slaves. I'm glad slavery was dealt with and no longer is here in the United States.