“A house divided against itself cannot stand “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free…It will become all of one thing, or all the other.” The Crisis Deepens

Political Changes The Whig Party dies because they supported the Compromise of 1850 The Know-Nothings/American Party formed under the platform of anti-immigrants (nativists) Republican Party: opposed slavery Democrats: support popular sovereignty

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Were battling for a seat in the Senate, had opposing views on slavery Lincoln: opposed slavery but took the middle road…don’t let it expand Douglas: supported popular sovereignty Douglas wins the debate but Lincoln wins lots of followers and a reputation

More Sectionalism The Election of 1856: Republicans oppose popular sovereignty with Fremont, abolitionist Democrats promise to not talk about the issue under Buchanan The Dred Scott Decision: Scott had been taken to a free state and sued for his freedom, the Supreme Court ruled against him saying that because slaves were not citizens (property) they could not even sue Also ruled that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the US territories

Freeport Doctrine Lincoln cornered Douglas by asking him if a state could legally exclude slavery before entering statehood If he said yes then he supported popular sovereignty If he said no then he opposed popular sovereignty *Lesser of the two evils!? In the end Douglas said that he supported the Dred Scott Decision and that states could keep slavery out by refusing to pass laws needed to regulate it Lost Northern Support!! More candidates “throws their hat in” for presidency. Divides the southern (pro slavery) candidates too thin. Lincoln is a shoe-in!

John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry Brown believed he was an angel of God, avenging the evils of slavery Brown and his followers set out to seize the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry Wanted to use violence to end slavery Brown had little support from abolitionists Was cornered, captured and executed - What happens to Due Process?

“I’m doing them a favor!” “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think vainly, flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done.” -John Brown, 1859 handed to the jailer on his way to execution His thinking…. “I’m doing them a favor!”

The Election of 1860 Big Issue: slavery was an issue of states rights Significance: pitted North against South Republicans nominate Lincoln, keep slavery contained where it is but don’t let it expand Lincoln wins but carried no Southern States…South is not happy Causes Southern states to secede

Secession After Lincoln’s election, South Carolina seceded the Union If a president can be elected without their support what does that mean for slavery? Six other states followed Felt that Lincoln threatened slavery The 7 states form the Confederate States of America Wrote a Constitution that gave all the power to the states and protected slavery Elect Jefferson Davis as President

Lincoln Takes Office Said he would not interfere with slavery where it already existed Did not recognize the new Confederacy Lincoln wanted to maintain control of Fort Sumter (guards the entrance to Charleston- major port of trade) South Carolina was watching the Fort Lincoln let them know he was sending food not troops to the Fort but SC is suspicious and attacked Fort Sumter (1st battle of Civil War)