Slavery Divides the Nation Chapter 16 Notes

Missouri Compromise (1820)  In 1819 there were 11 free states and 11 slave states.  Missouri wanted to enter the Union as a slave state. This would give the South majority in the Senate.  To solve this problem, Senator Henry Clay developed the Missouri Compromise

Missouri Compromise (cont.)  As part of the Missouri Compromise:  Missouri entered as a slave state and Maine as a free state.  The “slavery line” in the Louisiana Purchase was established at 36 degrees 30’ N (lower boundary of Missouri).

Slavery in the Mexican Cession  The question of slavery in these territories caused many problems between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups.  The Wilmot Proviso proposed outlawing slavery in the land received from Mexico, BUT it was defeated in the Senate.

Free Soil Party Many northern Democrats and Whigs opposed the spread of slavery Many northern Democrats and Whigs opposed the spread of slavery Both parties refused to take a stand on the issue Both parties refused to take a stand on the issue Members of both parties left to create the Free Soil Party Members of both parties left to create the Free Soil Party Chose Martin Van Buren as candidate in the election of 1848 Chose Martin Van Buren as candidate in the election of 1848 –Slavery became an important election issue for the first time Zachary Taylor won the election but Free Spoilers did well- showed slavery was a national issue Zachary Taylor won the election but Free Spoilers did well- showed slavery was a national issue

The Slavery Debate Erupts Again In 1849 there were 15 slave and 15 free states In 1849 there were 15 slave and 15 free states California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico may enter the Union as free states California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico may enter the Union as free states Southerners feared losing power- talked of secession (removing themselves from the US) Southerners feared losing power- talked of secession (removing themselves from the US) People looked to Henry Clay to create a compromise People looked to Henry Clay to create a compromise

Compromise of 1850  California was admitted to the Union as a FREE state.  Utah and New Mexico Territories were allowed to decide slavery by the people’s vote. (popular sovereignty)  Slave trade ended in Washington, D.C.  Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was established.

Fugitive Slave Law of 1850  All slaves had to be returned to owners in the South or pay a $1,000 fine.  Northern courts heard cases and received $10 if slaves were sent back and $5 if slaves were set free.  Fugitive slaves could no longer hide in the North. How do you think Northerners and Southerners reacted to the Fugitive Slave Law?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Novel about Southern Slavery Novel about Southern Slavery Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe Sold over 3 million copies in the US Sold over 3 million copies in the US Showed how slavery not only oppressed black people but also destroyed families Showed how slavery not only oppressed black people but also destroyed families Southerners claimed it was based on lies Southerners claimed it was based on lies

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)  It broke up Nebraska Territory into Kansas and Nebraska.  The question of slavery was to be decided by the people of each state.  This sparked a lot a controversy between Pro-slavery and Anti-slavery factions.  Both territories were supposed to be FREE according to the Missouri Compromise  Now slavery could spread to areas that were free for more than 30 years

The Crisis Turns Violent Abolitionists moved into Kansas Abolitionists moved into Kansas Proslavery bands from Missouri rode into Kansas and voted illegal (Border Ruffians) Proslavery bands from Missouri rode into Kansas and voted illegal (Border Ruffians) Two governments (one free and one slave) were created Two governments (one free and one slave) were created Proslavery attack on Lawrence Proslavery attack on Lawrence John Brown, abolitionists, responded with an attack on Pottawatomie Creek John Brown, abolitionists, responded with an attack on Pottawatomie Creek –Murdered 5 men in the middle of the night Led to more violence in Kansas Led to more violence in Kansas

Violence in the Senate Charles Sumner- Senator from Mass, leading abolitionist Charles Sumner- Senator from Mass, leading abolitionist –Verbally attacked elderly Senator from SC- Andrew Butler –Butler’s nephew, Preston Brooks came in a few days later and beat Sumner with a cane

J.L. Magee's famous political cartoon of the attack on Charles Sumner

Dred Scott Decision (1857)  A slave sued for his freedom, after his master died, while in a Free State.  The Supreme Court ruled: –Blacks were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. –Slaves were property. –Congress did not have the power to outlaw slavery in the territories. How do you think this Decision affected the Missouri Compromise?

Dred Scott and his wife Harriet are portrayed here with their children as an average middle-class family, an image that fueled Northern opposition to the Supreme Court’s 1857 decision that denied both Scott’s freedom and his citizenship. Courtesy of Library of Congress

The Republican Party Free soilers, northern democrats, and antislavery Whigs formed the Republican Party in 1854 Free soilers, northern democrats, and antislavery Whigs formed the Republican Party in 1854 Wanted to keep slavery out of the territories Wanted to keep slavery out of the territories Chose John C. Fremont to run for president in 1856 Chose John C. Fremont to run for president in 1856 James Buchanan- Democrat- won election of 1856 James Buchanan- Democrat- won election of 1856

Election of 1856 Results

James Buchanan - 15th President

Abe Lincoln of Illinois Lincoln - Douglas debates Lincoln - Douglas debates Race for Illinois senator Race for Illinois senator Douglas supported popular sovereignty Douglas supported popular sovereignty Lincoln thought slavery was morally wrong Lincoln thought slavery was morally wrong Douglas won the election Douglas won the election Lincoln gained popularity- would help him win the presidency in 1860 Lincoln gained popularity- would help him win the presidency in 1860

Harper’s Ferry (1859)  John Brown attacked the Federal armory in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.  Brown wanted to arm slaves in a revolt against their owners, but it failed.  Brown was tried and hanged for treason.  Brown was considered a martyr (someone who dies for their beliefs) by northerners

Abraham Lincoln Elected President  Lincoln wanted to keep slavery from expanding into the territories.  However, he didn’t advocate abolishing slavery.  He solidly defeated all three of his opponents even without his name on the ballot in most Southern states.

Election of 1860 Results

The Freeport Wide Awake, a campaign newspaper from Illinois, ran this full-page banner celebrating the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and the election of a Republican state legislature. Lincoln won with an Electoral College majority of 180 to Southern Democrat John Breckinridge’s 72, Constitutional Unionist John Bell’s 39, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas’s 12. The Freeport Wide Awake, a campaign newspaper from Illinois, ran this full-page banner celebrating the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and the election of a Republican state legislature. Lincoln won with an Electoral College majority of 180 to Southern Democrat John Breckinridge’s 72, Constitutional Unionist John Bell’s 39, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas’s 12.

Southern Secession  The Southern states decided to secede from the Union because of Lincoln’s election.  South Carolina seceded first on December 20,  Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee followed shortly after.

Fort Sumter Attacked Fort Sumter was located in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. Fort Sumter was located in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. The federal fort, under Col. Anderson, survived four months without re-supply. The federal fort, under Col. Anderson, survived four months without re-supply. The Confederate troops opened fire on the fort on April 12, The Confederate troops opened fire on the fort on April 12, The Civil War begins! The Civil War begins!

The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter

Activity Based on what we have learned today, make a time line using the nine events presented. Compromise of 1850 Lincoln’s Election Dred Scott Decision Texas Annexation Harper’s Ferry Mexican Cession Kansas-Nebraska Act Fort Sumter Missouri Compromise Southern Secession