1. DO NOW – US HISTORY
What problems would you experience if you had no rights?

2. Buchanan’s Presidency
Buchanan supported popular sovereignty for the territories
People hoped the violence had passed

3. Dred Scott Case Background
Dred Scott was a slave whose owner took him to the Free Illinois and Wisconsin Territory for 3 years
After returning to Missouri (slave state) Scott’s owner died
Scott sued for his freedom claiming that by living in free territory he was free

4. Judicial Questions of the Case
Did Scott have a right to sue?
Was Scott free as a result of living in a state and territory where slavery was illegal?
Was it constitutional for the Congress to Limit Slavery in the Territories

5. Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Results
In a 7 to 2 decision - Scott was still a slave and not a citizen
Cant Sue
Chief Justice Roger Taney - No black person could be a citizen of the U.S
“no black person had any rights that a white person needed to honor.”
Cant tell slave owners what to do with their “property”
Congress had no power to regulate slavery in the territories
Missouri Compromise is Unconstitutional

6. Scott Ruling
A deeply divided Supreme Court ruled against Scott in 1857
Chief Justice Roger Taney noted that the 5th Amendment stated that the property rights of persons who held slaves should be protected

7. Lincoln/Douglas Debates…
Series of 7 debates
Future of Slavery and the Union
Lincoln: “House Divided” speech
Douglas – Democrat, favored in 1860 Presidential Election

8. LINCOLN’S BELIEFS ON SLAVERY
He accused President Polk of starting the Mexican-American War to extend slavery.
Lincoln believed that Congress had the right to regulate slavery in the territories and in Washington, D.C.
However, he thought that only the states had the right to decide on slavery within their borders.

9. LINCOLN PROPOSES TO END SLAVERY
In 1849 Lincoln proposed ending slavery in Washington, D.C., by paying slaveholders to free their slaves.
This was called compensated emancipation.
It was one solution to many people’s belief that private property rights protected slavery.
law.

10. LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATES
The Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in 1858.
In what came to be known as the Freeport Doctrine, Douglas said that local legislatures had the power to end slavery.
Lincoln spoke of the immorality of slavery.
Douglas kept his Senate seat.
However, many historians believe Lincoln won the debates.
They brought Lincoln national attention.
The debates had a direct effect on the presidential election of 1860.

11. 1858 – Lincoln (an unknown) is running for Douglas’s Senate Seat
Believes that Slavery is Immoral
Opposed the Spread of Slavery
Thinks that Legislation is needed to stop the spread of slavery
Don’t interfere with slavery where it exists
Blacks have the right to liberty and happiness
Scott Decision is conspiracy
Believes that Slavery is backward economic system – not immoral
Should be a local issue
Believes that popular sovereignty will eventually undo slavery
Slavery wont exist where people don’t want it
Freeport Doctrine – People can exclude if they want

12. End Result… Lincoln “Wins” debates
Douglass wins Election (selected by legislature , not voters)
Lincoln would become well known

13. John Brown again…
John Brown said there had been enough talk and that action was needed.
Brown and some followers wanted to set up a nation of freed slaves in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Theodore Parker and others agreed to finance a raid on a U.S. Arsenal to get weapons to help set up a slave revolt

14. John Brown in Harpers Ferry
Brown rented a farm in MD, across the river from Harpers Ferry
Fredrick Douglas tried to tell Brown it would not work.
Brown didn’t listen.

15. Harper’s Ferry – The Plan
Sneak over the Potomac
Capture the Arsenal
Supply Weapons to the slaves
States a slave revolution across the South

16. John Brown’s Raid
October 16, 1859—Brown and 21 followers (including 5 African Americans) easily captured the arsenal.
Brown sent followers to spread the word to area slaves to rise up in revolt, but no slaves did.
In the morning of Oct. 17th, locals with guns trapped Brown inside the arsenal.
Some people were killed and others escaped

18. Aftermath of John Brown’s Raid
A company of US Marines arrived under Col. Robert E. Lee
Oct. 18th—The Marines stormed the arsenal and captured everyone there.
Brown and the followers were tried in VA
They were found guilty and sentenced to hang.
John Brown’s sentence was carried out on December 2, 1859.
He remained committed to his cause to the very end.

19. 1860 Presidential Election
√ Abraham Lincoln Republican
John Bell Constitutional Union
1860 Presidential Election
Stephen A. Douglas Northern Democrat
John C. Breckinridge Southern Democrat

20. 1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!

21. 1860
Election
Results

22. Crittenden Compromise (KY. Sen. John Crittenden
Last ditch effort to avoid secession
Six new Amendments
Extend the 36’30 Line
Congress cant interfere with slavery below the line
Compensation for Fugitive Slaves
No Future amendment could allow Congress to interfere with slavery in slave states
Lincoln Rejects it

23. Secession!: SC Dec. 20, 1860