How the Civil War Began, an April 1861 Timeline – April 2

In yesterday’s post, we discussed the strategic actions of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard as he fortified Charleston’s defenses, alongside President Lincoln's efforts to provoke the South into firing on Fort Sumter. During this pivotal moment, the U.S. Congress passed the Morrill Tariff Act, a crucial element of the Republican campaign platform leading into the fall elections.

The Morrill Tariff Act aimed to increase fees on imports, generating revenue to address the Federal deficit while simultaneously promoting domestic industry, which was predominantly based in the North. This policy also sought to boost wages for Northern factory workers. However, for the agrarian South, which was significantly less industrialized, the new tariff meant rising prices on essential imports without any compensatory advantages. Consequently, the enactment of the Morrill Tariff Act exacerbated existing tensions between the North and South.

Be sure to check in tomorrow for insights on a lesser-known incident in Charleston Harbor that is rarely highlighted in the narrative surrounding Fort Sumter.

Sources:

“1861 Chronology.” American Civil War High Command