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The '''American Civil War''', arguably the most traumatic experience in the nation's history, was a major conflict which took place from 1861 to 1865, involving the government of the [[United States of America]] against eleven Southern states which seceded from the Union and formed their own government called the [[Confederate States of America]]. In proportion to the total population, the Civil War was the most costly war ever fought in American history; more than 650,000 soldiers died in the war, two-thirds from disease and one-third from battle wounds, roughly 2% of the country's population at the time<ref>https://blogs.ancestry.com/cm/12-stunning-civil-war-facts/</ref>.

The '''American Civil War''', arguably the most traumatic experience in the nation's history, was a major conflict which took place from 1861 to 1865, involving the government of the [[United States of America]] against eleven Southern states which seceded from the Union and formed their own government called the [[Confederate States of America]]. In proportion to the total population, the Civil War was the most costly war ever fought in American history; more than 650,000 soldiers died in the war, two-thirds from disease and one-third from battle wounds, roughly 2% of the country's population at the time.<ref>https://blogs.ancestry.com/cm/12-stunning-civil-war-facts/</ref>

The result of simmering tensions directly related to the issue of chattel [[slavery]], the country would split as a result of the emergence of the anti-slavery [[Republican Party]] in the North and the election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] to the presidency in 1860; the [[Democratic Party]] itself would split, with a pro-slavery wing controlling the South, and a northern wing largely indifferent to it.  The end of the war would see the South in an economic and physical wreck, followed by an abuse of power by the North during their subsequent decade-long occupation of the Southern states.  Incidents of violence and intimidation against blacks ensued throughout the country, and in the 20th century the [[eugenics]] movement promoted [[abortion]] among blacks which continues to this day.   

The result of simmering tensions directly related to the issue of chattel [[slavery]], the country would split as a result of the emergence of the anti-slavery [[Republican Party]] in the North and the election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] to the presidency in 1860; the [[Democratic Party]] itself would split, with a pro-slavery wing controlling the South, and a northern wing largely indifferent to it.  The end of the war would see the South in an economic and physical wreck, followed by an abuse of power by the North during their subsequent decade-long occupation of the Southern states.  Incidents of violence and intimidation against blacks ensued throughout the country, and in the 20th century the [[eugenics]] movement promoted [[abortion]] among blacks which continues to this day.   

{{cquote|''Many in the South once believed that slavery was a moral and political evil.  That folly and delusion are gone.  We see it now in its true light, and regard it as the most safe and stable basis for free institutions in the world.''<ref>TL 1, pg 40</ref>}}

{{cquote|''Many in the South once believed that slavery was a moral and political evil.  That folly and delusion are gone.  We see it now in its true light, and regard it as the most safe and stable basis for free institutions in the world.''<ref>TL 1, pg 40</ref>}}

Slaves for the most part were treated brutally.  Born in bondage, a slave usually began his first work in the fields at the age of twelve.  They would work in the fields from the light of day until, in the words of a Louisiana slave, "until it is too dark to see, and when the moon is full, they often labor until the middle of the night"<ref>TL 1, pg 48</ref>. They were fed and clothed poorly, usually in rags; shoes were uncommon.  Disease was rampant, life was short; only four out of 100 lived past age 60.  Absolute subservience to whites was enforced.  Punishment for infractions was severe, involving stocks, pronged neck collars, and whippings where salt water was used to clear infection, with the resulting pain so excruciating a slave recollecting it wrote "the flesh crawls upon my bones".<ref>TL 1, pp 49–58</ref>

Slaves for the most part were treated brutally.  Born in bondage, a slave usually began his first work in the fields at the age of twelve.  They would work in the fields from the light of day until, in the words of a Louisiana slave, "until it is too dark to see, and when the moon is full, they often labor until the middle of the night".<ref>TL 1, pg 48</ref>  They were fed and clothed poorly, usually in rags; shoes were uncommon.  Disease was rampant, life was short; only four out of 100 lived past age 60.  Absolute subservience to whites was enforced.  Punishment for infractions was severe, involving stocks, pronged neck collars, and whippings where salt water was used to clear infection, with the resulting pain so excruciating a slave recollecting it wrote "the flesh crawls upon my bones".<ref>TL 1, pp 49–58</ref>

Prior to 1793 cotton harvesting was done by hand; slaves harvested, pulled the seed from the boll, and packed it for shipping to market at a rate of 100 bales a week.  Then [[Eli Whitney]] patented his [[cotton gin]], a machine that did the hard work of separating the seed from the boll, enabling bales of cotton at a rate of over 1000 a week, often more.  The result was the number of annual cotton harvests increased to three, which saw a concurrent rise in profits made by plantation owners; the number of slaves needed for the fields and other tasks increased as well, climbing from 300,000 in 1790 to over three million by 1860.

Prior to 1793 cotton harvesting was done by hand; slaves harvested, pulled the seed from the boll, and packed it for shipping to market at a rate of 100 bales a week.  Then [[Eli Whitney]] patented his [[cotton gin]], a machine that did the hard work of separating the seed from the boll, enabling bales of cotton at a rate of over 1000 a week, often more.  The result was the number of annual cotton harvests increased to three, which saw a concurrent rise in profits made by plantation owners; the number of slaves needed for the fields and other tasks increased as well, climbing from 300,000 in 1790 to over three million by 1860.

In Montgomery, Alabama, a provisional congress assembles and draws up a constitution by the end of the week; this document is essentially the United States Constitution, but mildly altered to include provisions for states' rights and protection for slavery:

In Montgomery, Alabama, a provisional congress assembles and draws up a constitution by the end of the week; this document is essentially the United States Constitution, but mildly altered to include provisions for states' rights and protection for slavery:

*''The importation of Negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States or territories of the United States of America, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same. Congress shall also have power to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of, or territory not belonging to, this Confederacy.''  

*''The importation of Negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States or territories of the United States of America, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same. Congress shall also have power to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of, or territory not belonging to, this Confederacy.''  

*''The Privilege of the Writ of [[Habeas Corpus]] shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. No [[Bill of Attainder]] or ex post facto Law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in Negro slaves, shall be passed.''<ref>Article 1, section IX[http://www.civilwarhome.com/csconstitution.htm]</ref>   

*''The Privilege of the Writ of [[Habeas Corpus]] shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. No [[Bill of Attainder]] or ex post facto Law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in Negro slaves, shall be passed.''<ref>[http://www.civilwarhome.com/csconstitution.htm Article 1, section IX]</ref>   

On February 9, a surprised [[Jefferson Davis]] learns he has been elected provisional president of the newly formed [[Confederate States of America]]; his vice-president is [[Alexander Stephens]] of Georgia.  The two are considered moderate enough to please the legislatures of the remaining Southern states which have not yet seceded.

On February 9, a surprised [[Jefferson Davis]] learns he has been elected provisional president of the newly formed [[Confederate States of America]]; his vice-president is [[Alexander Stephens]] of Georgia.  The two are considered moderate enough to please the legislatures of the remaining Southern states which have not yet seceded.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]