1. The Crisis Deepens
Chapter 10 Section 3

2. The Republican Party Whigs split over Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Republican Party formed from Former Whigs and Northern Democrats.
Chose name of Jefferson’s party intending to revive spirit of Revolution
Agreed only that slavery should be kept out of territories
The “Know-Nothing”, American Party, party of nativitists
Encountered same fate as the Whigs, Republican party absorbed them.

3. 1856 Republicans nominated John C. Fremont Little political experience
Democrats nominate James Buchanan
Long history of public service, believed in making concessions to the South.
Wins the election over Fremont and former president Millard Fillmore
Dred Scott v. Sanford, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney ruled that Scott had no right to sue in court b/c African Americans were not citizens

4. Taney also said the Missouri Compromise was void under Constitutional Law
This ruling became a political issue in itself.
Democrats cheered but Republicans called it an obiter dictum (incidental opinion) and not binding

5. Lecompton Constitution
Buchanan encouraged Kansas to apply for statehood
Proslavery forces called a constitutional convention, antislavery forces boycotted it
Each side held a referendum (popular vote) but Buchanan chose to accept the proslavery vote, Senate accepted, House blocked it
Decided to allow another referendum in KS, Southerners thought they would win, didn’t and delayed statehood until 1861

7. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
1858, Republican chose Abraham Lincoln to run for senate seat against Douglas
House Divided speech launched campaign
“The Little Giant” accepted Lincoln’s proposal of a series of 7 debates. He was confident.
Lincoln put Douglas on the spot asking if a territory could legally exclude slavery before statehood, Douglas in turn proposed the Freeport Doctrine, that he accepted Dred Scott decision but there must be laws to govern slavery or it could not exist

8. Douglas won the election but Lincoln achieved some notoriety and was able to make the Republican message clear.
John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry outraged Southerners and gave Northerners a martyr