The Confederate Constitution has put at rest forever all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution on. African slavery as it exists among us the proper status o theing to ion... (Most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the aid present rev
This was the immediate cause ot the late rupture and present revolu-tion
believed), that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of naturstitution hear Government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas; its foundations are lad, its cur pestone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that state erg, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition. This, our new covernment, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophi-cal, and moral truth.
It is a postulate (argument], with many writers of this day, that the late War was the result of two opposing ideas, or principles, upon the subject of African Slavery. . .. Those who assume this postulate, and so theorize upon it, are but superficial [inattentive] observers.
. The con-
flict in principle arose from different and opposing ideas as to the nature of what is known as the General [Federal] Government.... Slavery, so called, was but the question on which these antagonistic principles, which had been in conflict, from the beginning, on diverse other ques-tons were brought into ... collision with each other. ... It is the fashion of many writers of the day to class all who opposed the Consolidationists [those who wanted a strong central government ... with what they style the Pro-Slavery Party. No greater injustice could be done any public men, and no greater violence be done to the truth of history, than such a classification.
Their opposition to that measure, or kindred subsequent ones, sprung from no attachment to Slavery; but ... from their strong convictions that the Federal government had no rightful or Constitutional control or jurisdiction over such questions.
8. If you were a historian writing about the causes of secession, what facts about these two sources would vou find relevant?
If I were a historian writing about the causes of secession, the relevant facts about these two sources would include:
1. The Confederate Constitution: This source highlights the belief among Confederate leaders that African slavery was a fundamental and legal institution that should be protected. It emphasizes that the new Confederate government was founded on the idea that the white race is superior to the black race and that the latter should be in a state of subordination. This belief system underpinned the secessionist movement and the desire to form a new country based on the preservation of slavery.
2. Conflict over the nature of the General Government: This source argues that the conflict leading to secession was not solely about slavery but also about differing ideas on the nature and powers of the federal government. It suggests that the issue of slavery served as a focal point for the clash between opposing principles on the role of the federal government. Many Southerners opposed the consolidation of power in the federal government and believed that it had no constitutional authority to control or legislate on matters such as slavery.
These two sources indicate that the causes of secession were multi-faceted and interconnected. While the Confederate Constitution reveals the central role of slavery and white supremacist beliefs in the secessionist movement, the discussion of conflicting ideas about the nature of the federal government adds another layer of complexity to the understanding of the causes behind the secession.
If I were a historian writing about the causes of secession, I would find the following facts about these two sources relevant:
1. The Confederate Constitution: The fact that the Confederate Constitution explicitly supported the institution of African slavery as a fundamental aspect of their society would be relevant in understanding the ideological basis for secession. This shows that slavery was a central issue for the Confederate states and was firmly entrenched in their constitution.
2. Opposing ideas on the nature of the General Government: The fact that there were opposing ideas on the nature of the federal government and its control over issues such as slavery would be relevant in understanding the political and constitutional disputes that contributed to secession. This indicates that the conflict was not solely about slavery, but also about differing views on the power and role of the federal government.
3. Injustice of classifying all opponents as pro-slavery: The fact that classifying all opponents of consolidationists as pro-slavery is seen as an injustice would be relevant in understanding the complexity of the political landscape during that time. This challenges the commonly held belief that all those who opposed consolidationists were pro-slavery, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the different perspectives and motivations at play.
4. Strong opposition based on constitutional principles: The fact that strong opposition to federal control or jurisdiction over slavery questions was based on constitutional principles would be relevant in understanding the legal and constitutional arguments made by those opposed to federal interference. This suggests that the motivation for resistance to federal control was grounded in a belief in states' rights and staunch adherence to the Constitution.
By including these relevant facts, a historian can provide a comprehensive and balanced analysis of the causes of secession, taking into account ideological, political, and constitutional factors.