Secession

Introduction The decision of the Supreme Court on the Dred Scott Case will allow for the spread of slavery across all of the territories of the United States Despite this win for slave states, events like John Brown’s Raid and the Election of Lincoln in 1860 will push them toward secession Secession: To formally withdraw from the Union

The Travels of Dred Scott Free Territory Free State Slave State

The Dred Scott Decision Supreme Court Response Three key issues that the Supreme Court had to decide Was Scott a citizen of the U.S.? Does time spent on free soil cause freedom? Do State governments or the National government have the right to decide where slavey can exist?

The Dred Scott Decision Decision by the Court: African Americans (free or slave) were not citizens and thus did not have rights Slaves are considered property so their owners can take them anywhere and they will remain a slave State governments and the National Government do not have the right to ban slavery because it violates property rights

John Brown’s Raid John Brown was an abolitionist who wanted to end slavery by any means necessary In Kansas, Brown killed many slave owners during “Bleeding Kansas” Brown believed that by arming slaves he would start a slave rebellion and end slavery

John Brown’s Raid Brown targeted a federal weapons arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia The plan: Steal the weapons and give them to slaves The slaves never showed up, Brown was surrounded by soldiers led by Robert E. Lee After a brief fight, Brown and his men surrendered

John Brown’s Raid Brown is convicted of murder and treason and is executed Significance: Northerners viewed Brown as a hero while Southerners saw him as a traitor and worry other Northerners will try to violently free slaves

The Election of 1860 Democratic Party split into two North wanted Stephen Douglas South wanted John C. Breckinridge Constitutional Union Party: John Bell Republican: Abraham Lincoln

The Election of 1860 Ultimately, Lincoln won only 40% of the popular vote Lincoln did not carry a single southern state If the Democratic Party did not split, Lincoln might have lost Many Southerners feared that Lincoln would abolish slavery

Confederate States of America In response to Lincoln’s election, the Southern states begin to secede. On December 17, 1860, South Carolina secedes (1st state) Within two months Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas secede from the US. These states form the Confederate States of America Elect Jefferson Davis president