FACTORS LEADING TO THE CIVIL WAR

COMPROMISES Missouri Compromise Missouri – slave state Maine – free 36 30’ line – slavery outlawed north of line Compromise of 1833 Dealt with Tariff of Abominations (1828) Agreed to lower tariff to 1816 level over 10 yr. period Compromise of 1850 What to do about Mexican Cession California applied for admission California – free state; others popular sovereignty (proposed by Cass and Douglas; slave trade abolished in D.C.; Fugitive Slave Act; Texas lost New Mexico territory

Compromise of 1850

Problems of Sectional Balance in 1850  California statehood.  Southern “fire-eaters” threatening secession.  Underground RR & fugitive slave issues:  * Personal liberty laws * Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842)  California statehood.  Southern “fire-eaters” threatening secession.  Underground RR & fugitive slave issues:  * Personal liberty laws * Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842)

Harriet Beecher Stowe Harriet Beecher Stowe So this is the lady who started the Civil War. -- Abraham Lincoln So this is the lady who started the Civil War. -- Abraham Lincoln

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852 Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852  Sold 300,000 copies in the first year.  2 million in a decade!  Sold 300,000 copies in the first year.  2 million in a decade!

The “Know-Nothings” [The American Party]  Nativists.  Anti-Catholics.  Anti-immigrants.  Nativists.  Anti-Catholics.  Anti-immigrants.  1849  Secret Order of the Star- Spangled Banner created in NYC.

1852 Presidential Election √ Franklin Pierce Gen. Winfield Scott John Parker Hale Democrat Whig Free Soil

1852 Election Results

Kansas-Nebraska Act  Proposed by Stephen Douglas (D-IL); had personal gain in mind  Nebraska territory divided into Kansas/Nebraska  Popular sovereignty to decide in territories (basically repealed Mo. Comp.)  Results  Led to “Bleeding Kansas”  Pierce would not be reelected  Political party shakeup: Dem – proslavery, southern; Whigs replaced with Republicans – antislavery, northern

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854

“Bleeding Kansas” Assumed Kansas – slave; Nebraska – free Abolitionists set up govts in Topeka & Lawrence “Border Ruffians” –Mo. who crossed border to stuff ballot boxes Erupted into violence

“Bleeding Kansas” Border “Ruffians” (pro-slavery Missourians)

“The Crime Against Kansas” Sen. Charles Sumner (R-MA) Congr. Preston Brooks (D-SC)

“Bleeding Kansas” cont. 2 events: Raid on Lawrence – border ruffians attacked free-soil community looting and burning buildings (1 ruffian killed) John Brown’s raid on Pottawatomie – 5 killed particularly brutal “ruffians” applauded in South, hated in North John Brown ignored in North, hated in South Kansas became free state after pop. sov.

Dred Scott decision  One of most controversial in Supreme Court history  Scot sued for freedom after “owner” died  Said had traveled to free states, so should be free  Chief Justice Roger Taney (former slave owner)  Court said: Blacks not citizens, couldn’t sue Blacks not citizens, couldn’t sue Mo. Comp. unconstitutional Mo. Comp. unconstitutional Couldn’t deny right to property anywhere Couldn’t deny right to property anywhere

The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate) Debates, 1858 A House divided against itself, cannot stand. A House divided against itself, cannot stand.

Lincoln-Douglas debates 7 total – though senatorial, had interest of all Americans Lincoln asked key question – Can territories legally exclude slavery? Trick Douglas responded with Freeport Doctrine – yes; won senate; lost future presidency

Stephen Douglas & the Freeport Doctrine Popular Sovereignty?

Harper’s Ferry John Brown had been in hiding since Pottawatomie. Planned insurrection which would encouraged massive slave revolt Attempts foiled; captured, hanged Southerners convinced Northerners ready to inflict violence – step closer

John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr?

Election of 1860 Lincoln (R) moderate on slavery; only won about 40% of popular voter; won electoral handily South Carolina had threatened to secede if Rep. victory; no place in U.S. for them; did on December 20, others followed in Jan. Buchanan handing over to Lincoln

1860 Election Results 1860 Election Results