The Nation Breaking Apart 1846–1861

Chapter 15: The Nation Breaking Apart, 1846–1861 Essential Question What issues and events shattered the nation’s unity and led to civil war? Why It Matters Now The tension between government power and states’ rights remains an important feature of American politics.

The Nation Breaking Apart, 1846–1861 Rising anger over slavery increased tensions between the North and South and led to violence, a realignment of political parties, and secession.

Tensions Rise Between North and South Key Ideas Before, you learned The North and South tried to reach a compromise in their disagreements over slavery. Now you will learn Rising anger over slavery increased tensions between the North and South and led to violence.

Tensions Rise Between North and South TERMS AND NAMES Wilmot Proviso — 1846 proposal that outlawed slavery in any territory gained from the War with Mexico Free-Soil Party — political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery Stephen A. Douglas — Illinois senator who backed the Compromise of 1850 Compromise of 1850 — series of laws intended to settle the major disagreements between free states and slave states Fugitive Slave Act — 1850 law meant to help slaveholders recapture runaway slaves

Tensions Rise Between North and South TERMS AND NAMES {continued} Harriet Beecher Stowe — abolitionist; author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin Uncle Tom’s Cabin — novel published by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852 that showed slavery as brutal and immoral Kansas-Nebraska Act — 1854 law that established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and gave their residents the right to decide whether to allow slavery

North and South Follow Different Paths Key Question How did the economies of the North and South differ? THINK ABOUT Northern industry drew immigrants to cities Easterners, immigrants built farms in Midwest most Southern whites were poor farmers

Slavery and Territorial Expansion Key Question How did territorial expansion inflame sectional conflicts? THINK ABOUT Wilmot Proviso tried to outlaw slavery in lands acquired from Mexico Free-Soil Party formed, made slavery an issue in national politics how did the Compromise of 1850 temporarily end sectional bickering? What is bickering?

The Crisis Deepens Key Question How did the Fugitive Slave Act deepen the crisis? THINK ABOUT accused fugitives could be held without warrant Northerners were required to help recapture runaways increased support for abolition, inspired Stowe to write her novel

Violence Erupts Key Question Why did violence erupt in Kansas and Congress? THINK ABOUT 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act lets popular sovereignty decide slavery illegal voters help make Kansas legislature pro-slavery Sumner insults Butler in Senate; Brooks beats Sumner in retaliation

Slavery Dominates Politics Key Ideas Before, you learned Rising anger over slavery destroyed compromise between the North and South and led to violence. Now you will learn The formation of the antislavery Republican Party further divided the country.

Slavery Dominates Politics TERMS AND NAMES Republican Party — political party formed in 1854 by opponents of slavery John C. Frémont — Republican presidential candidate in 1856 James Buchanan Democratic presidential candidate in 1856 Dred Scott v. Sandford — 1856 Supreme Court case in which a slave, Dred Scott, sued for his freedom; the Court ruled against Scott

Slavery Dominates Politics TERMS AND NAMES {continued} Roger B. Taney — Supreme Court Chief Justice who judged the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford Abraham Lincoln — Illinois Republican who ran against Stephen A. Douglas in 1858 Harpers Ferry — federal arsenal in Virginia; captured in 1859 during an antislavery revolt

Slavery and Political Division Key Question How did the issue of slavery affect political parties? THINK ABOUT Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Whig Party Republican Party founded—antislavery and pro-North anti-immigrant Know-Nothing Party divided over slavery, had little strength

The Breaking Point Key Question What events brought the nation to a crisis? THINK ABOUT Chief Justice Taney’s ruling in Dred Scott affected slaves, Congress Lincoln-Douglas debates publicized arguments on expansion of slavery North and South reacted differently to John Brown’s death sentence

Lincoln’s Election and Southern Secession Key Ideas Before, you learned The formation of the antislavery Republican Party further divided the country. Now you will learn The election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860 led seven Southern states to secede from the Union.

Lincoln’s Election and Southern Secession TERMS AND NAMES Confederate States of America — confederation formed in 1861 by the Southern states after their secession from the Union Jefferson Davis — first president of the Confederate States of America Crittenden Compromise — compromise introduced in 1861 that might have prevented secession

The Election of 1860 Key Question How did the 1860 election reveal the divisions in the country? THINK ABOUT what disagreement did Democrats have over the party platform? What does platform mean here? Northern and Southern Democrats nominated different candidates in North, Lincoln defeated Douglas; in South, Breckenridge beat Bell

Southern States Secede Key Question How did seven Southern states justify their decision to secede? THINK ABOUT Southern view: states chose to join Union and could choose to leave Northern view: federal government sovereign, secession unconstitutional majority rule became issue between North and South