Challenges to Slavery 12-4 The Republican Party is Founded A new party (Republican) is formed of: Antislavery Whigs, Northern Democrats & Free Soilers Republicans take control in many northern states, but have NO support in the South The Democratic party becomes the party of the South

Challenges to Slavery 12-4 Election of 1856 James Buchanan (Democrat) John C. Frémont (Republican) Millard Fillmore (Know Nothings)

Clearly the issue of slavery is dividing the nation…and soon it will divide the democratic party

Challenges to Slavery 12-4 Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott – slave who sues for his freedom Case eventually goes to U.S. Supreme Court - landmark decision is handed down by Justices Justice Roger B. Taney declared: slaves not citizens slaves didn’t have rights slaves were property, no matter where they lived

Challenges to Slavery 12-4 Dred Scott decision divides the country even more Northerners furious Southerners thrilled Summary

Lincoln – Douglas Debates Abraham Lincoln runs against Stephen Douglas for the U.S. Senate Douglas believed the slavery issue should be resolved by popular sovereignty What does that mean?

Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates on the issues Lincoln & Douglas 12-4 Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong, and should not be allowed to spread Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates on the issues

Lincoln questioned Douglas on popular sovereignty Lincoln & Douglas 12-4 Lincoln questioned Douglas on popular sovereignty When Douglas admitted that states could pass laws that didn’t protect slave holders he lost support from the South

Lincoln & Douglas 12-4 Douglas accused Lincoln of wanting equality for African Americans – which wasn’t true Southerners began feeling threatened by Republicans – didn’t want anything or anyone to threaten slavery

John Brown & Harper’s Ferry Lincoln & Douglas 12-4 What can you recall about John Brown? John Brown & Harper’s Ferry 1859 – John Brown leads a raid on a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA Brown wanted to arm the slaves so they could rebel

Brown and his men (including two of his sons) were defeated Lincoln & Douglas 12-4 Brown and his men (including two of his sons) were defeated Brown and others that survived the attack were tried, convicted and hanged for insurrection and treason Brown was called a martyr because he died for his cause Brown’s actions made the South fear the North even more Summary