Slavery Dominates Politics

Republican Party – the political party formed in 1854 by opponents of slavery in the territories John C. Frémont – Republican presidential nominee in 1856 James Buchanan – Democratic presidential nominee in 1856; he won. Dred Scott v. Sanford (Sandford) – an 1856 Supreme Court case in which a slave, Dred Scott, sued for his freedom (in 1846) because he had been taken to live in territories where slavery was illegal; the Court ruled against Scott. Roger B. Taney – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; ruled against Scott in the Dred Scott case Abraham Lincoln – candidate from Illinois for Senate in 1858; he was challenging Stephen A. Douglas for his seat, but lost Harpers Ferry – a federal arsenal in Virginia that was captured in 1859 during a slave revolt

These questions focus on reasons for the creation of the Republican Party. 1.Read the quotation (below) and look at the medal (also on page 466). What do they tell you about the reasons for starting the new party? 2.Why do you think people wanted to start a new party? “[A convention should be called] irrespective of the old party organizations, for the purpose of agreeing upon some plan of action that shall combine the whole anti-Nebraska, anti-slavery sentiment of the State, upon one ticket [set of candidates endorsed by a political party].” Detroit Tribune, quoted in The Origins of the Republican Party

Explain why the Republican Party came into existence in the 1850s. Summarize the issues involved in the Dred Scott decision. Identify Abraham Lincoln’s and Stephen Douglas’s views on slavery. Describe the differing reactions in the North and the South to John Brown’s raid. Objectives

Why did tensions between the North and South grow stronger after the Lincoln-Douglas debates and John Brown’s raid? In the late 1850s, political debates and court decisions highlighted the nation’s clashing views on slavery. These events caused growing tension between the North and South.

In 1854, the Whig Party split apart. Many northern Whigs formed a new party: the Republican Party. The Republican Party’s main goal was to stop the spread of slavery into the western territories.

1. What was the effect of the Kansas-Nebraska Act on the Whig Party? It split – Northern Whigs were opposed to the Act; Southern Whigs supported it. 2. Why did the Republican Party gain strength so quickly? Because of Bleeding Kansas – many people blamed the violence on the Democrats

The Republicans quickly became a powerful force in politics. A Republican first ran for President in Republican John C. Frémont Democrat James Buchanan Buchanan won, but Frémont carried 11 of the nation’s free states.

3. What did the election of 1856 indicate about the nation? Republican party was a major force in the North The nation was sharply split over slavery

In 1857, a slave named Dred Scott sued for his freedom. Scott had lived with his owner in two places where slavery was illegal. Soon after Buchanan took office, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark decision. He argued that this meant he was a free man.

Born ~1799 in Virginia Lived in Alabama, Missouri, Illinois & Wisconsin Illiterate Sued for freedom in 1846 in Missouri Circuit Court Dred Scott

Born in Maryland with pro-slavery views Wrote the Dred Scott Decision Dickinson College Class of nd ugliest man in American History

Democrat elected President in 1856 Only President from Pennsylvania Only bachelor President Dickinson College Class of 1809

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the decision in the Scott case. Dred Scott Decision Scott could not sue because he was a slave and, therefore, not a U.S. citizen. Living in a free state did not make Scott free. Slaves are property protected by the U.S. Constitution. Because slaves were property, the Court said that Congress had no power to stop slavery from expanding; people could take their property wherever they wanted and the government could say nothing about it.

Southerners rejoiced because slavery was now legal in all territories. Both northerners and southerners were shocked by the court’s decision. Northerners had hoped slavery would die out. They now feared it would spread throughout the West. Justice Taney also ruled that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in any territory.

4. What reasons did Scott give to argue that he was a free man? He had lived in territories where slavery was illegal 5. How did Judge Taney counter Scott’s argument? Ruled that Scott was not a citizen, so he couldn’t sue Said Scott was bound by Missouri’s slave code; his time in free territory was irrelevant 6. How did the Dred Scott decision affect the Missouri Compromise? Based on Taney’s decision, it made the Compromise unconstitutional

St. Louis, MO

Many leaders spoke out against the ruling. Frederick Douglass hoped the outrage against the decision would fuel the abolition movement. Abraham Lincoln, an Illinois lawyer, argued against the idea that African Americans could not be citizens.

Lincoln had served one term in Congress but had returned to practicing law. Now, his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act drew him back to the world of politics. In 1858, Lincoln ran for Senate against his rival Stephen Douglas. He joined the Republican party.

Lincoln and Douglas engaged in a series of debates, which were followed throughout the country. Douglas’s viewLincoln’s view Individual states should decide whether or not to continue the practice of slavery. Lincoln wants equality for African Americans. Slavery is wrong and it should not spread to the western territories. African Americans are entitled to the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Two years later, the two men would be rivals for the presidency. However, the debates helped Lincoln become a national figure. Douglas won the election.

7. How did Lincoln say that the expansion of slavery could be halted? He said slavery should not be expanded Lincoln believed it was the national government’s role to prevent expansion 8. How did Douglas’s views on the expansion of slavery differ from Lincoln’s? Douglas argued for popular sovereignty (even though Dred Scott made it unconstitutional) 9. What effect did the debates have on Lincoln’s political career? Made him a national figure Strengthened his standing in the Republican Party

In 1859, John Brown raised a group of followers to help him free slaves in the South. They attacked the town of Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. They seized guns and planned to start a slave revolt. Brown was wounded and captured by Colonel Robert E. Lee. Ten of Brown’s followers were killed.

Brown was found guilty of murder and treason, and he was hanged in Before Brown was sentenced, he gave a passionate defense of his actions. The Bible instructed him to care for the poor and enslaved. He was willing to give up his life to follow those instructions.

Northerners praised Brown’s attempt to lead a slave revolt. They mourned his death. Northerners and Southerners reacted differently to Brown’s sentence.

Southerners saw Brown as proof that the North was out to destroy their way of life.

10. Why did John Brown attack Harpers Ferry? He wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom 11. What was the reaction of Northerners to Brown’s execution? They mourned his death – tolled bells and fired guns in salute 12. How did Southerners react to the raid? They were upset by Brown’s actions Southerners feared that Northerners would stop at nothing to destroy slavery

John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry

Federal Arsenal where John Brown hoped to capture guns & weapons

Harper’s Ferry Today

The Engine House where John Brown was captured in 1859

The Engine House Today

The continuing tensions over slavery drove the North and the South into talks of breaking up the United States. The crisis over slavery deepened as the country approached the 1860 presidential election. Could a new president bring the country back together?