The Crisis Of The House Divided: Unraveling the Tumultuous Era in American History

The Crisis Of The House Divided refers to a pivotal chapter in American history that marked the beginning of the American Civil War. Lasting from 1850 to 1861, this era was characterized by escalating tensions between the North and the South over issues such as slavery, states' rights, and territorial expansion. It was a period of immense political, social, and economic upheaval, ultimately culminating in the bloodiest conflict in American history.

The Origins of Conflict

The origins of the Crisis Of The House Divided can be traced back to the formation of the United States itself. The Founding Fathers were divided on the issues of slavery and the extent of federal power, leading to compromises that temporarily quelled tensions. However, as the nation grew, these compromises proved to be fragile and inadequate.

The key issue that divided the nation was slavery. The North, fueled by the burgeoning industrialization and believed in the abolitionist movement, increasingly saw slavery as an immoral and economic threat. The South, on the other hand, deeply rooted in agrarian society and with an economy predominantly reliant on slave labor, vehemently defended the institution of slavery as vital to their way of life.

Crisis of the House Divided: An Interpretation of the Issues in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 50th Anniversary Edition

by Harry V. Jaffa (Enlarged Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	468 pages
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Attempts at Resolution

Various attempts were made to address the growing divide between the North and the South. The Compromise of 1850 attempted to maintain the balance between free and slave states, but tensions continued to rise. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 further entrenched the divide as it allowed territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery.

The rise of the Republican Party was another significant development during this era. Formed in 1854, the party united anti-slavery activists from the North and dedicated itself to the containment of slavery. This further polarized the nation and increased the severity of the Crisis Of The House Divided.

Key Events and Triggers

Several pivotal events deepened the divisions and led to the eruption of the American Civil War. The Dred Scott decision in 1857 declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not American citizens and therefore had no rights. This decision infuriated the North and emboldened the abolitionist movement.

Another significant incident was John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. Brown, an abolitionist, led a group of men to seize a federal armory in an effort to initiate an armed slave revolt. Although thwarted and executed, Brown's actions further stoked the flames of division and pushed the nation closer to the brink of war.

The Election of 1860

The Election of 1860 became a turning point in the Crisis Of The House Divided. Abraham Lincoln, a Republican and a vocal opponent of slavery's expansion, won the election without carrying a single Southern state. This deeply alarmed the South, leading to a wave of secession movements.

By early 1861, several Southern states had seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America. The federal government's inability to prevent secession further highlighted the deep-rooted division within the nation.

The Outbreak and Aftermath of the Civil War

In April 1861, tensions finally erupted into open conflict when Confederate forces fired upon Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The American Civil War had begun.

Over the next four years, the nation was torn apart as North and South fought a devastating war. The conflict resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and brought widespread destruction. However, it also paved the way for the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the United States as a unified nation.

The Crisis Of The House Divided was a tumultuous era in American history that revealed the deep divisions and irreconcilable differences between the North and the South. It was a time of intense political and social upheaval, culminating in the onset of the American Civil War. The consequences of this era shaped the future of the United States and left an indelible mark on the nation's history.

Crisis of the House Divided: An Interpretation of the Issues in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 50th Anniversary Edition

by Harry V. Jaffa (Enlarged Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	468 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This definitive analysis of the Lincoln-Douglas debates is “one of the most influential works of American history and political philosophy ever published (National Review).
 
In Crisis of the House Divided, noted conservative scholar and historian Harry V. Jaffa illuminates the political principles that guided Abraham Lincoln from his reentry into politics in 1854 through his Senate campaign against Stephen Douglas in 1858. Through critical analysis of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Jaffa demonstrates that Lincoln’s political career was grounded in his commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and abolition.
 
A landmark work of American history, it “has shaped the thought of a generation of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War scholars." To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the original publication, Jaffa has provided a new (Civil War History).
 
"A searching and provocative analysis of the issues confronted and the ideas expounded in the great debates…A book which displays such learning and insight that it cannot fail to excite the admiration even of scholars who disagree with its major arguments and s."—D. E. Fehrenbacher, American Historical Review