1. Republican Party

2. The Beginning Division of the Whig Party (slavery issue)
Democrat Franklin Pierce elected as president
Kansas-Nebraska Act ends Whig Party completely
South Whigs -> look for proslavery, pro-union
Northerners turn towards nativism and join the American Party or Know-Nothing Party
Split again over issue of slavery
Southern members search for yet another alternative,

3. It’s Formation
Northern Whigs and Free-soil Party (opposed slavery in the territories) met to form a new party
Created Republican Party on July 6, 1854
Opposed Kansas-Nebraska Act and wanted no slavery in the territories
Main competition was Know-Nothing Party (targeted the same voters)

4. The 1856 Election
Republicans chose John C. Fremont (mapped the Oregon Trail and led U.S. troops into California during war with Mexico)
Northern Know-Nothings supported him
Southern Know-Nothings pick Millard Fillmore
Democrats chose James Buchanan who ends up winning

5. Slavery and Secession

6. Slavery and Politics President Buchanan plagued with slavery issues
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott = slave from Missouri
Was taken north of the Missouri Comp. line
Returned to Missouri where his owner died
Began suit to gain his freedom
Decision given by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney
Slaves did not have the rights of citizens
Began his suit while living in a slave state
Ruled the Missouri Compromise unconsitutional

7. Lecompton Constitution
Proslavery gov’t at Lecompton, Kansas applies for admission to the Union
Free-Soilers outnumber proslavery settlers
Voted against it
Legislature calls for referendum where citizens living there could vote on it
President Buchanan then supports the Constitution publically
South won him the election and thought North was “overreacting” (only 200 or so slaves in this area)
Stephen Douglas (supports pop. sovereignty) calls for another referendum -> voted down again

8. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Senate race of 1858 between Dem. Douglas and Rep. Lincoln
Lincoln challenges Douglas to 7 open-air debates
Douglas believes in popular sovereignty and Lincoln believes slavery is immoral
Douglas hoped that slavery would pass cease on its own

9. The Debate
Lincoln attempts to make Douglas look like a pro-slavery person who liked the Dred Scott decision
Douglas accused Lincoln of being an abolitionist and advocate of racial equality
“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”
Slavery was a “moral, social, and political wrong that should not be allowed to spread”

10. Freeport Doctrine 2nd Debate held in Freeport, IL
Lincoln asks Douglas “Could the settlers of a territory vote to exclude slavery before the territory became a state?”
Dred Scott decision says no
Popular sovereignty was an “empty phrase”
Douglas responds (becomes known as Freeport Doctrine)
“Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations”
Douglas won the Senate seat but Lincoln gets NATIONAL attention

11. More Crucial Events Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown studies slave revolts that happened in ancient Rome
Brown obtains financial backing from Northern abolitionists
Oct. 16, > led 29 men (white and black) into Harpers Ferry
Wanted to seize the federal arsenal, distribute them arms to the slaves, and start an uprising
No slaves step forward, local troops kill 8 of Brown’s men, and Robert E. Lee leads U.S. marines there
Brown captured, tried for treason, and hung (caused outrage)

12. Ole’ Abe John Brown’s raid causes hostility between North and South
Republicans await their convention to nominate their rep. for president in 1860
William H. Seward thought to be the obvious choice
Lincoln didn’t have much opportunity to offend anyone (was nominated)
4 total candidates for President
Dem. Party supported Stephen Douglas or John C. Breckinridge
Know-Nothings and Whigs supported John Bell
Lincoln becomes the victor

13. Southern Secession
South views the election of Lincoln as if they had lost their political voice in gov’t
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union
Followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas
Met in Montgomery, AL to form the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis was elected president
Before Lincoln’s inauguration, Buchanan declares secession illegal (still 8 slave states in the Union)
Question now becomes Let the South leave the North without a fight?