1. The Wilmot Proviso
1846, Rep (PA) David Wilmot attached amendment to military spending bill
The amendment had nothing to do with military spending, Is that okay?
Amendment proposed to prohibit slavery in all territories ceded by Mexico
Which territories are we speaking about?
North’s reaction? South reaction?
Why did it pass in House? Why not in Senate? Pair-Share
Sen. Lewis Cass (MI) proposes compromise-Popular Sovereignty; Pros and cons of Popular Sovereignty?
Congress fails to pass, so becomes issue in 1848 Election

2. The Election of 1848 The Candidates Whig Zachary Taylor
Free-Soiler Martin Van Buren
Democrat Lewis Cass
The candidates did not want to take an affirmative stance on slavery issue
Why?
How is slavery issue similar to abortion issue today?
Whigs win and Free-Soilers lose badly as they fail to carry any Electoral Votes

3. The Election of 1848

4. The Gold Rush of 1849 Gold discovered in CA in 1848
Inspirational Devotional reading on Gold Rush
People from all over world descend upon CA
Population swells, San Francisco grows into sin city
Discrimination and racism
Taylor has free-soil agenda and wants CA and other territories to apply for statehood ASAP
CA against slavery (not morally, but competition)
CA applies for statehood as free state
South upset-WHY?

5. The Compromise of 1850
5 Major SECTIONALIST Issues that Divide North & South
1. California, free or slave?
2. Texas (slave state) border dispute with NM (undecided); why important?
3. North wants abolition in Washington, D.C. WHY?
4. South wants North to enforce Fugitive Slave Act of 1793
5. Utah and New Mexico territories to become free or slave?
Compromise of 1850
Proposed by Henry Clay to prevent the South from seceding from the Union; he wanted to preserve the Union
“Great Compromiser”; saved the Union 3 times
SEE HANDOUT ACTIVITY-COMPROMISE OF 1850

6. The Compromise of 1850

7. Zachary Taylor & Millard Fillmore
Taylor from South & owned slaves, but only moderate stance as to slavery; supported CA as free state
dies suspiciously 1st year of 1st term
READING FROM PRESIDENTS BOOK
Who would want Taylor dead? Why? Political motives?
His VP Millard Fillmore take over
Fillmore pushes Compromise through with help of “Little Giant” Stephen A. Douglas of IL
Douglass proposed each provision individually instead of as a package; explain why this was successful.

8. The Fugitive Slave Act Most controversial part of Compromise of 1850
Webster caught hell back in MA for his support of Comp.
Where did runaways have to flee to escape law’s reach? Why?
Federal Commissioner (Duties and Conflict of Interest)
Due Process?
Could not testify, no counsel, no public trial-WHY IMPORT?
Affidavit of owner-OPEN TO CORRUPTION? WHY? HOW?
Northern states respond with Personal Liberty Laws
Right to counsel & public trial; draw out proceedings
What about federalism and the Supremacy Clause?

9. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1852 (later a play)
Fanned the fires of sectionalism by rallying Northern abolitionists; portrayed slaves as “people” not property
No firsthand knowledge of slavery; relied accounts of her abolitionist friends
Bestselling novel of the 19th Century; melodramatic
South called it an unfair characterization and slanderous
Slave owners depicted as both good and evil
Connection to Beloved and the Margaret Garner story

10. Stephen A. Douglas (“The Little Giant”)
Dem. Sen. from IL; got Comp. of 1850 thru Congress
The “Little Giant”
2 Main Political Goals
Expansion (supported War with Mexico; Lincoln did not)
Popular Sovereignty on slavery issue
Dems slight him in favor of Franklin Pierce who beats Whig “Old Fuss and Feathers” Winfield Scott in 1852
Wanted R.R. from Chicago to San Fran (his real estate)
He needs to promote settlement of Nebraska Territory
What about the Gadsden Purchase?

11. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
Pierce very weak and sectionalism tearing nation apart
How does a weak leader make this situation worse?
Would Jackson have done a better job? Leadership styles?
Provisions of Douglas’ bill
Spilt Neb. Terr. In 2 (Neb. & Kan)
Popular Sovereignty to both on slavery issue
What did Douglas think final result would be?
How will it make matters worse?
Pierce signs it; Violate the Missouri Compromise? How?
South’s reaction? North’s reaction? THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Country is dangerously close to Civil War

12. Sketch map into your notes

13. The Whigs Slavery splits the party in two
Southern Whigs
No support for Winfield Scott in 1852
Backed the Compromise of 1850 because it allowed them to be both pro-slavery and pro-union; EXPLAIN!
Northern Whigs
Support for Winfield Scott in 1852
Strongly opposed to the Fugitive Slave Act, so also opposed to the Compromise of 1850
South lack of support-Scott loses to Pierce in 1852
Sectionalism eventually destroys the party, and its members join other parties

14. The Democrats What were they called before 1840?
Strong support for state rights and limit federal power
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, and Polk
National party, but dominated by SOUTH-WHY?
Dem. James Buchanan wins in 1856 b/c nat’l support
Northerner but support came from the South (many friends)
What does it mean to be a national candidate?

15. The Free-Soilers
Opposed extension of slavery into the territories, but not necessarily abolition
What is the difference? Why is the difference important?-Think-Pair-Share
Concerned mainly with labor issues; did not want the spread of the slavery into the North because it would take away jobs
HOW?

16. The Know-Nothings A.K.A. the “American Party”-story of name
Why the response? Why membership not ever grow large?
NATIVISM-main platform
Middle-class Protestants who feared the “hordes” of Catholic immigrants (like the Irish) coming to US
Fear of Pope gaining eventual control of U.S. government
Immigrants backed Democrats
Party splits in 1856
Northern back Rep. John C. Fremont
Southern back Millard Fillmore

17. The Republicans 1854-N. Whigs, anti-slavery Dems and Free-Soilers
Why were called the “Big Tent Party”?
Platform-stop spread of slavery (e.g., Kan-Neb Act)
Why? Would an abolitionist join the party?
Full spectrum-from radical to conservative
Pros and cons of having this wide range of support?
Main competition was Know-Nothings
Support after “Bleeding Kansas” and “Bleeding Sumner”
Supported John C. Fremont in the 1856 election
Pathfinder and Mexican War hero

18. The Election of 1856
Dem strategy- “northern man with southern principles”
Buchanan (true nat’l candidate) crushes Fremont
What would have happened if Fremont won? Why? When did it eventually happen?
3 Lessons learned from the election
Dems could win with a nat’l candidate
Know-Nothings in decline b/c slavery
Republicans were a growing force in the North

20. Bleeding Kansas Kan-Neb Act of 1854 gives Kansas pop. sov. on slavery
Free-soilers and slave supporters wanted Kan.-WHY?
1854 Election-MO Border Ruffians corrupt the vote
Pro-slavery gov’t wins and set up capital at Lecompton
Free-soilers don’t recognize it; set up capital at Topeka
Dangers of two capitals?
Pro-slavery and anti-slavery towns and settlements
Sack of Lawrence
Pro-slavery town grand jury indictment of entire Lawrence
Pro-slavery posse and destruction; Why destroy presses?

21. John Brown & Pottawatomie Massacre
John Brown-abolitionist, God told him end slavery
Firm believer in racial equality
Rumor that 5 abolitionists killed at Lawrence; revenge
Night raid of pro-slavery town Pottawatomie Creek
5 men-hands cut off, hacked to death w/ broad sword
Terrorist or hero? THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Act triggers acts of violence across Kansas- “bleeding”
200 deaths result

22. Violence on the Senate Floor
Heated debates in Senate over events in Kansas & slavery
Sen. Charles Sumner (MA) multiple speeches, and in one personally attacks Sen. Andrew Butler (SC)-not cool!
Rep. Preston Brooks (SC) seeks out Sumner to maintain family and South’s honor
Brooks canes Sumner over head repeatedly; breaks cane
Rep. Laurence M. Keitt (SC) blocks way with pistol
Sumner suffers head injury & PTS disorder (3 years)
How did the South view this incident?
How did the North view this incident?

23. Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Facts of the case and Dred Scott’s (slave) claim
Visits Wisconsin Territory(free)-north of MO Compromise
Returns to MO (slave state); master dies; lawsuit
Issue: Congress outlaw slavery in territories?
Holding: Scott loses, stays a slave
CJ Taney wrote decision (slave owner, but did not like it)
Blacks not citizens, so Scott did not have standing to sue
Home state laws apply-MO is slave, so Scott stays one
Residence in free territory did not matter because MO Comp. unconst. (Congress cannot outlaw slavery in terr.)
5th Amendment Due Process Clause argument

24. The Lecompton Constitution
Pro-slavery gov’t at Lecompton draft state const. for KS
Most of state pop. are Free-Soilers;
They vote down the constitution
Pres. Buchanan recognizes the const.-WHY?
Why does Stephen Douglas publically disagree with fellow Democrat Buchanan? Is this political suicide?
1857, voters in KS vote const. once again, yet the pro-slavery gov’t is recognized by the federal gov’t

25. Honest Abe Lincoln Born in KY, 1809; successful lawyer
1846, Whig elected to Congress (1 term)
Becomes Republican in 1855 after Kan-Neb Act
Felt slavery wrong, but compassionate to slave owner
White supremacist view like 99% of population
Colony policy up through his 1st term as president
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Wanted to stop spread of slavery b/c felt that would stifle westward expansion and “American Dream”

26. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
1858 IL Senate Race
7 Debates
2 distinct personages
Neither wanted slavery in territories and neither wanted it abolished
Both point the finger
Freeport Doctrine
Lincoln’s question
Douglas’ reply
Douglas kills his chance in as Dem national candidate

27. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry
Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA (present-day WV)
John Brown leads band and take arsenal
Plan-distribute weapons to slaves and start rebellion that would spread throughout the South
No slaves showed up, but Lee and the Marines did
Murder, treason, slave rebellion-hanged
Thoreau and Emerson (“Courage”)
At first Northerners condemned his acts, but eventually started to be seen as a Christian hero, martyr

28. Election of 1860 Douglas could have been the perfect candidate, but…
Republicans-Chicago Convention nominate Lincoln
Lincoln’s moderate views won him the day
South did not believe in these promises; famous quote
Lincoln wins-carries North but not one Southern state
Carries North and wins election-WHY?
Southern Democrats-John Breckinridge (wins South)
Constitutional Union-John Bell (VA, TN, KY)
North. Democrats-Stephen Douglas (MO, part of NJ)
Lincoln wins and did not carry majority of popular vote-Does that matter? Should it matter? PAIR-SHARE

30. The Secession Crisis
Dec. 20, 1860-SC secedes from Union (days after Lincoln announced winner of 1860 Election)
Buchanan a “lame duck” and he’s no Andy Jackson!
6 other states follow suit
February 4, 1861 create Confederate States of America
Constitution
Each state “sovereign and independent”-Familiar? Problems?
Jefferson Davis (former MS Senator) 1st president
What did the South fear in Lincoln and the Republicans?
7 Southern states seceded leaving 8 slave states in the Union and Lincoln has yet to be sworn in