Fugitive Slave Act (part of compromise of 1850) A law stating A person arrested as a runaway slave had no legal rights A person helping a slave to escape or refusing to help slave catchers could be jailed

Fugitive Slave Act (part of compromise of 1850) North’s View South’s View Outraged Free African Americans could be forced into slavery Most wanted to stay out of the slave fight (this forced them to get involved) Many joined abolition movement (horrified by what they witnessed) Most refused to support Act Didn’t do enough to protect property

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852 Novel By Harriet Beecher Stowe About a saintly slave and cruelty of slavery Made the realities of slavery visible to the north (fear of sale, separations of families, harsh treatment)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin North’s View South’s View Eye opener Millions more join the abolition movement Lincoln later credits Stowe with starting the War Felt like they were under attack Didn't believe it was a fair portrayal of their society “Most treat slaves as family”

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854 Act that opened Kansas and Nebraska territories for settlement Settlers would decide the slave issue (popular sovereignty) Abolished the Missouri Compromise (36 30 line) Stephen Douglas (Illinois)- pushed this bill through because he wanted to build a railroad to California

Kansas Nebraska Act North’s View South’s View Angry- Allowed slavery to spread to the Great Plains Undid the Missouri Compromise Supported- allowed for popular sovereignty Supported states rights

Lawrence, Kansas Pottawatomie, Kansas Settlers pour into Kansas (1854-1856) some peaceful farmers looking for farm land Pro-slave settlers (from south) funded by towns back home Anti-slave settlers (from North) funded by abolition groups in the north 2 competing governments form in Kansas- one pro-slave one anti-slave May 21, 1856- “border ruffians” from Missouri invade Lawrence, Kansas (home of anti-slave government) – burn and loot the town May23, 1856- Abolitionist including John Brown invade pro-slave Pottawatomie, Kansas and kill 5 men suspected of pro-slave activities.

Lawrence, Kansas Pottawatomie, Kansas North’s View South’s View Outraged by Lawrence Raise money to replace damaged items More “free-soilers” prepare to move to Kansas Pro-slave bullies Outraged by Pottawatomie Shocked by bloodshed

Beating of Senator Sumner 1856 Senator Sumner delivers a passionate speech about what happened in Kansas Calls out Douglas (Ill) and Butler (SC) Copies of the speech circulate around the north 2 days later Preston Brooks (Butler’s nephew) attacks Sumner on the Senate floor with a cane Beats him until he is bloody and unconscious

Beating of Senator Sumner North’s View South’s View Viewed as an example of southern brutality Brooks was a pro-slave bully Some call for war Many applaud Brooks for defending his families honor Supported send Brooks new canes to replace the one he broke

Dred Scott 1857 Slave sued for freedom Lived in Wisconsin (free state) with his owner Returned to Missouri (slave state) Argued that living n free state made him free

Questions for the court Was Scott a citizen? Did he have the right to bring a case before the federal court? Did moving to Wisconsin make Scott a free man? Scott believed he should be free because of Missouri Compromise Did Congress have the power to make any laws about slavery in the territories? Was the Missouri Compromise a constitutional use of power?

The Supreme Court Response March 6, 1857 Scott could not sue for his freedom in federal court He was not a citizen He could not become a citizen (African Americans are not and could not become citizens) Staying in Wisconsin did not make Scott free Missouri Compromise was Unconstitutional Violated the 5th Amendment (property can not be taken from people without due process) Slaves are property and protected by the constitution Congress should work to protect property right (slavery) not outlaw it in the territories.