The American Civil War THE ROAD TO SECESSION

Compromise of 1850 California was admitted as a free state after population boomed during the Gold Rush Slave trade was abolished in Washington D.C., but slavery could continue Fugitive Slave Laws – Runaway slaves in the south could be legally caught and brought back to the state they were enslaved in

Compromise of 1850 Texas would be paid $10,000,000 to release New Mexico from their territorial holdings New Mexico and Utah were given “popular sovereignty”, or the right to decide whether or not to have slavery by a vote of the people

Slave Revolts and the “Underground Railroad” To counteract the new Fugitive Slave Laws, work began on ways to transport slaves secretly to Northern states (where they would then be free) Underground Railroad – System of individuals who hid, clothed, fed and housed runaway slaves while trying to escape Southern states

Harriet Tubman and the “Underground Railroad” Harriet Tubman – Former slave who fled for freedom once her owner died in 1849 Tubman is said to have assisted in the freedom of more than 300 slaves in the Underground Railroad – including her own parents

The Underground Railroad

Uncle Tom’s Cabin - 1852 Story of a slave who was traded throughout the United States Story brought to light numerous issues with slavery; namely the intense mistreatment of slaves on Southern plantations Because of the book’s shocking detail and the intensity of the emotions in the book, the book became loved by abolitionists and despised by pro-slavery Southerners

Uncle Tom’s Cabin - 1852 Sold 300,000 copies in the first year. 2 million in a decade Sold more copies than any book before it (except the Bible)

Kansas – Nebraska Act: 1854 Divided Kansas territory into two sections (Kansas and Nebraska) People could vote on whether or not to allow slavery in new states Increased conflicts between the North and South (Bleeding Kansas) Created the Republican Party https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy48hYnhz4M

Dred Scott vs. Sanford, 1857 Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri, and around 1834 he was taken to Illinois (a free state) where he lived free for years When he later returned to Missouri, Scott was made to be a slave once again The case remained in Missouri courts for next eleven years March 6th, 1857: The Supreme Court ruled that slaves did not have the rights of citizens, so even though Dred Scott had lived free for many years he would become a slave once again Question: Why do you think it is important to note that 7 of the 9 Supreme Court justices for the Dred Scott decision were Southern slaveowners?

Dred Scott vs. Sanford, 1857 The result of the case ignited tensions between the North and the South, due to the fact that it provided a legal precedent for slavery in the United States of America

Dred Scott v. Sanford, 1857 The Dred Scott decision was handed down at The Old Courthouse in St. Louis.

Abraham Lincoln’s Response to the Dred Scott decision: In my opinion [agitation over slavery] will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved; I do not expect the house to fall; but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other.” - Abraham Lincoln – June 17th, 1858

Famous Quote: Who said it? “I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races.” -Abraham Lincoln

Republican Party Platform in 1860 Non-extension of slavery Protective tariff [for the No. Industrialists]. Government aid to build a Pacific RR [for the Northwest]. Internal improvements [for the West] at federal expense. Free homesteads for the public domain [for farmers].

1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!

1860 Presidential Election √ Abraham Lincoln Republican John Bell Constitutional Union Stephen A. Douglas Northern Democrat John C. Breckinridge Southern Democrat

1860 Election Results

Significance of the Election of 1860 Election of 1860: Seen by many individuals as the most important Presidential election in American history By electing Lincoln, America elected the candidate that most supported the abolition of slavery Southern states feared that, with Lincoln being elected President, they would no longer have a voice in government Many Southern states also feared that the rights of the states would give way to laws made for all states by the Union, and that slavery would be completely abolished

Southern Secession – 1860 and 1861 South Carolina: First state to secede (done on December 20th, 1860) Main reason for South Carolina seceding from the Union: Fear that slavery would be taken away from all states and that their entire way of life would be challenged by the Union (South Carolina was one of the leading cotton producing areas in the world, so slavery was their way of life)

Secession!: SC→ Dec. 20, 1860