The Last Strides to War

More New Political Parties Millard Fillmore served as the last Whig president due to his lack of support over the issue of slavery. Growing immigration prompted the formation of the Know-Northing Party, or the American Party. Their platform focused on anti-immigration and pro-slavery ideas. The Republican Party developed during this time, also in opposition to slavery. The changing political scene demonstrated the opposing viewpoints that emerged over slavery.

American Political Parties During the 1850s Democratic Party Opposed strong central government Divided over the issue of slavery Whig Party (1834-1852) Favored national economic development (i.e. National Bank) Opposed Andrew Jackson Anti-slavery members left in 1850s Know-Nothings/American Party (1843- 1856) Opposed to immigration Joined w/antislavery Whigs Took a proslavery platform in 1856 Free-Soil Party (1847-1854) Worked to prevent slavery in new territories Formed by antislavery Whigs and Democrats Became a part of the new Republican Party Republican Party Opposed to slavery Opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska Act

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford. Dred Scott, a slave sued for his freedom when his slavemaster took him to the free territories of Illinois and Wisconsin. In these areas, slavery was banned, so Dred Scott argued he had become a freedman. The court ruled that slaves and their descendants were property and therefore were not entitled to sue in courts like a citizen. It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Response to Dred Scott In 1858, Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln had a series of debates while vying for the Illinois Senate seat. The two had opposing views of slavery– Douglas was sympathetic to slavery (his wife’s family owned them) and stood firm in the belief that the people should decide via popular sovereignty, while Lincoln was against both popular sovereignty and the Dred Scott decision. While Douglas won the Senate seat, Lincoln gained a widespread reputation for his honesty. This would help him in the upcoming presidential election– he earned his reputation as ‘Honest Abe’.

John Brown’s Raid John Brown continued his violent methods to end slavery by leading a group of men to the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA. He hoped to recruit local slaves to join his efforts. He chose Harper’s Ferry because it was a transportation hub, and its proximity to PA and MD. Brown was captured and eventually hung. Anti-slavery northerners viewed him as a martyr (someone who died for the cause of abolition); Pro-slavery Southerners viewed him as a fanatic, and feared further northern aggression. This incident further polarized opinions of northerners and southerners.

John Brown’s Final Words "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood." —John Brown's last words, written on a note handed to a guard just before his hanging

The Election of 1860 In the election of 1860, there were 4 candidates vying for the presidency. Abraham Lincoln (Republican) Stephen Douglas (N. Dem) John Bell (Constitutional Union) John C. Breckenridge (S. Dem) Though he only won the electoral votes of the free states, Lincoln received enough electoral votes to become president. He won without receiving a single electoral vote from the southern states– demonstrating the divide between North and South, free and slave.

Secession Southerners were angry that a president could be elected without the support of the South. To them, it was if they had no voice in their government. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the U.S. Soon, 6 other Deep South states followed (GA, FL, AL, MS, LA and TX). These 7 states formed the Confederate States of America.