Resistance to Slavery
Learning Targets I can define popular sovereignty and explain its impact on the conflict between North and South. I can describe the role of prominent abolitionists leading up to the Civil War. I can summarize the main message and describe the impact of Uncle Tom’s Cabin on the abolition movement.
Fugitive Slave Act (1850) Required all runaway slaves to be returned to owners, even if found in the North. Northerners resisted it: Helped runaway slaves go to Canada Tried to free slaves in prisons Passed state laws that went against Fugitive Slave Act.
Harriet Tubman Abolitionists started the underground railroad to help slaves escape North. Harriet Tubman was the most famous “conductor”. Made 19 trips and helped 300 slaves escape.
“Popular Sovereignty” in Territories Popular sovereignty for slavery = states get to choose whether they are free or slave. Northerners angry; Southerners happy. Allowed the possibility of slavery in previously non-slave states.
Kansas Issue Missouri slave owners crossed the border into Kansas to vote “slave state”. They won. Abolitionists in Kansas were angry. They set up an anti-slavery town, Lawrence. Lawrence was “sacked” by pro-slavery men. Destroyed buildings, looted houses.
John Brown John Brown was a strong abolitionist. He thought 5 men were killed at Lawrence (they weren’t). Retaliated by killing 5 pro-slavery men. Brown wanted to start a slave rebellion in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Rebellion failed to start—Brown’s men killed. Brown was hanged for treason.
Harriet Beecher Stowe Abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852. Accurately depicted treatment of slaves. Opened Northerners’ eyes to the brutality. Sold over 1 million copies by 1853 (total population was 23 million).
Frederick Douglas African-American social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman became great orator for abolitionist cause helped lead the American Anti-Slavery Society established North Star Abolitionist newspaper
Learning Targets I can define popular sovereignty and explain its impact on the conflict between North and South. I can describe the role of prominent abolitionists leading up to the Civil War. I can summarize the main message and describe the impact of Uncle Tom’s Cabin on the abolition movement.