Slavery Divides the Nation

The Dred Scott Case Dred Scott was a slave who traveled with his master from Missouri (slave state) to Illinois & Wisconsin (free states). Scott sued for his freedom since he had been in a free state.

The Ruling In 1857, Supreme Court ruled that blacks were not citizens, so they had no rights and Scott could not sue. Slaves were only property. Slave owners had a right to keep their property. Therefore, slavery was upheld. Chief Justice Taney

Illinois Senate Election of 1858 Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat) & Abraham Lincoln (Republican) ran for 1 senate seat. Douglas was nicknamed the “Little Giant,” while Lincoln, “the best stump speaker in the West,” towered over him in the series of 7 debates held across the state of Illinois.

Lincoln & Slavery Lincoln attacked the Dred Scott decision, saying “I do not believe it is a constitutional right to hold slaves in a territory of the United States.” He thought slavery was “a moral, social, and political wrong.” He was willing to tolerate slavery in the South, if he had to, but he did not want slavery to expand.

Lincoln said in the debates… “A house divided against itself cannot stand…I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved; I do not expect the house to fall; but I do expect it will cease to be divided.”

Stephen A. Douglas Douglas wanted the people to decide. This was called popular sovereignty. Douglas said, “the people have the lawful means to introduce [slavery] or exclude it as they please.” This idea became known as the Freeport Doctrine.

John Brown John Brown wanted to free slaves in Virginia In 1859, he raided an arsenal at Harper’s Ferry with 20 men in order to lead an uprising. He hoped other slaves in the south would join him, but none did. Troops led by Robert E. Lee stopped the rebellion. Brown was tried, convicted & hung. The case of Brown brought more attention to the issue of slavery.

Presidential Election of 1860 Although Douglas won the Senate seat in 1858, the local race made Lincoln famous & propelled him into the national spotlight. By opposing slavery, supporting land for farmers, and construction of roads and a transcontinental railroad Lincoln won the election of The anti-slavery candidate won, but the nation was still divided.