Republican Party

The Beginning Division of the Whig Party (slavery issue) Democrat Franklin Pierce elected as president Kansas-Nebraska Act ends Whig Party completely South Whigs -> look for proslavery, pro-union Northerners turn towards nativism and join the American Party or Know-Nothing Party Split again over issue of slavery Southern members search for yet another alternative,

It’s Formation Northern Whigs and Free-soil Party (opposed slavery in the territories) met to form a new party Created Republican Party on July 6, 1854 Opposed Kansas-Nebraska Act and wanted no slavery in the territories Main competition was Know-Nothing Party (targeted the same voters)

The 1856 Election Republicans chose John C. Fremont (mapped the Oregon Trail and led U.S. troops into California during war with Mexico) Northern Know-Nothings supported him Southern Know-Nothings pick Millard Fillmore Democrats chose James Buchanan who ends up winning

Slavery and Secession

Slavery and Politics President Buchanan plagued with slavery issues Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott = slave from Missouri Was taken north of the Missouri Comp. line Returned to Missouri where his owner died Began suit to gain his freedom Decision given by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Slaves did not have the rights of citizens Began his suit while living in a slave state Ruled the Missouri Compromise unconsitutional

Lecompton Constitution Proslavery gov’t at Lecompton, Kansas applies for admission to the Union Free-Soilers outnumber proslavery settlers Voted against it Legislature calls for referendum where citizens living there could vote on it President Buchanan then supports the Constitution publically South won him the election and thought North was “overreacting” (only 200 or so slaves in this area) Stephen Douglas (supports pop. sovereignty) calls for another referendum -> voted down again

Lincoln-Douglas Debates Senate race of 1858 between Dem. Douglas and Rep. Lincoln Lincoln challenges Douglas to 7 open-air debates Douglas believes in popular sovereignty and Lincoln believes slavery is immoral Douglas hoped that slavery would pass cease on its own

The Debate Lincoln attempts to make Douglas look like a pro-slavery person who liked the Dred Scott decision Douglas accused Lincoln of being an abolitionist and advocate of racial equality “I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races” Slavery was a “moral, social, and political wrong that should not be allowed to spread”

Freeport Doctrine 2nd Debate held in Freeport, IL Lincoln asks Douglas “Could the settlers of a territory vote to exclude slavery before the territory became a state?” Dred Scott decision says no Popular sovereignty was an “empty phrase” Douglas responds (becomes known as Freeport Doctrine) “Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations” Douglas won the Senate seat but Lincoln gets NATIONAL attention

More Crucial Events Raid on Harpers Ferry John Brown studies slave revolts that happened in ancient Rome Brown obtains financial backing from Northern abolitionists Oct. 16, 1859 -> led 29 men (white and black) into Harpers Ferry Wanted to seize the federal arsenal, distribute them arms to the slaves, and start an uprising No slaves step forward, local troops kill 8 of Brown’s men, and Robert E. Lee leads U.S. marines there Brown captured, tried for treason, and hung (caused outrage)

Ole’ Abe John Brown’s raid causes hostility between North and South Republicans await their convention to nominate their rep. for president in 1860 William H. Seward thought to be the obvious choice Lincoln didn’t have much opportunity to offend anyone (was nominated) 4 total candidates for President Dem. Party supported Stephen Douglas or John C. Breckinridge Know-Nothings and Whigs supported John Bell Lincoln becomes the victor

Southern Secession South views the election of Lincoln as if they had lost their political voice in gov’t South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union Followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas Met in Montgomery, AL to form the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis was elected president Before Lincoln’s inauguration, Buchanan declares secession illegal (still 8 slave states in the Union) Question now becomes Let the South leave the North without a fight?