Chapter 10 - Standard 3.1 Explain how the political events and issues that divided the nation led to civil war, including the compromises reached to maintain the balance of free and slave states, the successes and failures of the abolitionist movement, the conflicting views of states’ rights and federal authority, the emergence of the Republican Party and its win in 1860, and the formation of the Confederate States of America.

U.S. before 1850

1836-37 Congress remained balanced after adding Arkansas (slave) and Michigan (free).

1845 Annexation of Texas caused problems, especially when Texas could be divided into 5 states. President Polk wanted to extend the Missouri Compromise line west. Senator Cass and Douglas proposed popular sovereignty - allowing states to choose to be a slave or free state.

1846 Wilmot Proviso – would ban slavery in all land acquired from Mexico. Did not pass – South threatened to secede and not pay debts.

Election of 1848 Dem nominate Cass. Whigs nominate Gen Taylor. Free-soil nominates Van Buren – formed by antislavery Whigs and Dem. Wanted the Senate to prohibit the expansion of slavery in territories gained from Mexico. Free-soilers took votes from Dems and Taylor won. Politicians could not ignore slave issue.

Compromise of 1850 Proposed by Clay Antislavery issues – admit Calif as free state and abolish slave trade in D.C. For southerners – New Mexico be divided into 2 territories – NM and Utah – on basis of popular sovereignty; and Congress pass stricter fugitive slave laws. Still most supported a break-up of Union – Abolitionist in North; Fire-eaters in South.

Compromise of 1850

1850 continued Compromise led to Great Debate in Congress. John Calhoun called for dual presidency – a president from the North and one from the South. Pres Taylor, a non-supporter, died in July of 1850. His VP Millard Fillmore takes over and favored the Compromise. Passed in Sept of 1850.

Fillmore

1850 Fugitive Slave Act – federal crime to assist runaway slaves; also arrest for escaped slaves even where it was illegal. Those who did not comply could be fined or imprisoned. Commissioners received $10 for every slave returned. Outraged the north.

Election of 1852 Dem – Franklin Pierce Whigs – Gen Winfield Scott Pierce wins, but was weak leader b/c of diverse cabinet of Southerners and Northerners.

Also in 1852 . . . Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin – book that detailed slave life and treatment. Supported by North and opposed in south. Banned in most of South.

1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act Introduced by Stephen Douglas. Repealed the Missouri Compromise b/c it allowed new states from the Neb and Kan territories to use popular sovereignty. Passed in May of 1854. Favored in South, not North

KS/NB Act and Stephen Douglas

1854 Antislavery Whigs and Democrats and some Free-Soilers formed the Republican Party – formed to oppose the expansion of slavery.

1855 – Bleeding Kansas Resulted from violence that erupted over illegal Missouri voters casting votes in Kansas to be a slave state. Anti-slavery supporters set up Free State Party in Kansas to show Pro-slavery legislature was illegitimate; which led to the “Sack of Lawrence” by Pro-Slavery groups.

More of Bleeding Kansas Conflicts erupted on state lines. Led to death of over 200 people. Abolitionist John Brown led Pottawatomie Massacre, which came to be called “Bleeding Kansas”. Led to fights in U.S. Senate. SC Rep Preston Brooks beat Mass Sen Charles Sumner with his cane until Sumner was unconscious.

Election of 1856 Dem – James Buchanan (supported the KS-NB Act) Rep – John C. Fremont Buchanan wins. Election signaled end to Whig Party

1857 – Lecompton Const. Gave the voters of Kan only the right to decide whether more slaves could enter the territory, not whether slavery should exist. Only views of pro-slavery legis. Kansas eventually added as a free state in 1861.

1857 - Dred Scott decision Scott sued for freedom since his prior residence was in free territory before moving to Missouri with his owner. Written by Chief Justice Taney Declared Scott was not a citizen, but property; therefore, he could not bring suit in U.S. courts. Also stated MO Compromise violated 5th Amend.

Dred Scott

1858 – Lincoln/Douglas Debates 7 Debates for the Senate seat in Illinois. Lincoln tolerated slavery in the south, but not its expansion. Douglas favored popular sovereignty. Freeport Doctrine helped Douglas defeat Lincoln.

1859 – John Brown’s Raid In Harpers Ferry, VA. Brown seized federal arsenal and planned to arm runaway slaves and free Afr Am. Caught by Gen Lee and hanged. Divided nation – N saw him as a moral figure; S thought N supported what he did.

Election of 1860 Lincoln, the Republican, defeats Douglas, Breckenridge, and Bell. Lincoln won all of North, and some Midwest, and none of South. Election showed division of America.

Division in 1860

1861 SC votes to secede, withdraw from the from Union. AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, and TX follow to form Confederate States of America. Const differed in 2 ways – right to own slaves, and each state was “sovereign and independent”. Jefferson Davis of MS was elected Pres.

Confederate States of Am.