growing crises and divide

Growing Crises and DivideCHAPTER 6, SECTIONS 1-3

Division Over SlaveryThe major question after the Mexican-American

War was whether or not slavery should be allowed in the new territories. The North viewed slaves as inferior, but that

slavery was morally wrong and should be ended.

The South viewed slavery as a necessity, and more civilized than the northern system of labor found in factories.

Division Over SlaveryBoth Democrats and Whigs were split over the

issue, dividing instead along regional lines. A new political party formed with anti-slavery

members of each party. It was known as the Free-Soil Party. The main goal of the party was to keep slavery out of

the territories completely (sound familiar?)Both the Whigs and Democrats chose a more

moderate solution of popular sovereignty– allowing the voters to decide whether or not to allow slavery.

Compromise of 1850 When California applied for statehood in 1849, it

threatened to disrupt the balance between slave and free states.

Once again, the Great Compromiser (Henry Clay) came up with a middle ground. California would be admitted as a free state;The voters in a territory would decide via popular

sovereignty whether or not to allow slavery;Slave trade would end in D.C.Congress would pass a stronger Fugitive Slave; Texas would give up claims to New Mexico for $10

million

Protest and ViolenceA series of homes was established to help slaves

escape from the South to the North.This was known as the Underground Railroad.One of the most famous ‘conductors’ was Harriet

Tubman, a.k.a. ‘Black Moses’. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published the

novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin to provide Northerners with an image of slavery. Many Southerners were angry by the publication

because they felt it portrayed all southerners as evil.

Kansas-Nebraska ActIn 1854, Stephen Douglas proposed a bill to

organize the Nebraska Territory into a state. It was believed that popular sovereignty would decide whether slavery would be allowed or not.

Douglas amended the bill to split the Nebraska Territory into two– Nebraska and Kansas. Many believed one would be a free state

(Nebraska) and the other (Kansas) a slave state.

Response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act A flood of settlers rushed to Kansas to sway the voting in

their favor. Two governments were established.

Border Ruffians came from Missouri to form a pro-slavery government; northern abolitionists the other.

Both governments applied for statehood in 1856. A series of violent battles took place between the two

sides, earning the state the nickname of ‘Bleeding Kansas’.

Border Ruffians attacked the anti-slavery town of Lawrence and John Brown, an abolitionist, retaliated by executing pro-slavery settlers.

Violence in the Senate In 1856, Charles Sumner

(Massachusetts senator) delivered a speech entitled “The Crime Against Kansas”.

Southerners were angered by Sumner’s speech, and further agitated by his personal attacks against Southern representatives.

Preston Brooks, the nephew of SC representative Andrew Butler attacked Sumner by beating him with a cane.

Both sides (North and South) stood by their representatives, electing them as a symbol for their causes.

More New Political Parties Millard Fillmore served as the last Whig president due to

his lack of support over the issue of slavery. Growing immigration prompted the formation of the

Know-Northing Party. Their platform focused on anti-immigration and pro-

slavery ideas. The Republican Party attracted members from all parties–

Democrats, Free-Soilers, Whigs and Know-Nothings. The changing political scene demonstrated the opposing

viewpoints that emerged over slavery.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Dred

Scott v. Sandford. Dred Scott, a slave sued for his freedom when his

slavemaster took him to the free territories of Illinois and Wisconsin. In these areas, slavery was banned, so Dred Scott

argued he had become a freedman. The court ruled that slaves and their descendants were

property and therefore were not entitled to sue in courts like a citizen.

It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Response to Dred Scott In 1858, Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln

had a series of debates while vying for the Illinois Senate seat. The two had opposing views of slavery– Douglas was

sympathetic to slavery, while Lincoln was against both popular sovereignty and the Dred Scott decision.

While Douglas won the Senate seat, Lincoln gained a widespread reputation for his honesty. This would help him in the upcoming presidential

election.

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown continued his violent methods to

end slavery by leading a group of men to the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA. He hoped to recruit local slaves to join his efforts. He chose Harper’s Ferry because it was a

transportation hub, and its proximity to PA and MD. Brown was captured and while some viewed

him as a martyr, others viewed him as fanatical and Southerners started preparing for war.

Review Today’s Topics1) Which of the following was NOT a part of the Compromise of

1850?a) California would be admitted as a slave state; b) A stronger Fugitive Slave Law;c) Popular sovereignty would be used in the territories; d) Slave trade would end in D.C.

2) Why were Southerners upset over the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin?a) It portrayed slavery as morally right; b) Slaves read the novel and started widespread escapes; c) Southerners felt it cast them in a negative opinion; d) The book was only accessible to Northerners

Review Today’s Topics1) Which of the following was NOT a response to the passage of the

Kansas-Nebraska Act?a) Widespread immigration into Nebraska; b) The caning of Charles Sumner by Preston Brooks; c) John Brown’s raid and execution of pro-slavery settlers; d) California was admitted as a free state.

2) Which piece of legislation did the case Dred Scott v. Sandford make unconstitutional?a) Compromise of 1850; c) Missouri Compromiseb) Kansas-Nebraska Act; d) Fugitive Slave Act

Ticket-Out-the-Door: How did the debate over slavery lead to the formation of new political parties?