The Impending Crisis 1854-1860

What’s Happening? In March 1857, the Supreme Court rules that Dred Scott is not a citizen because of his race. The decision goes even further, stating Congress has no authority to exclude slavery from any part of the nation or its territories. The Missouri  Compromise is therefore ruled unconstitutional.

<Quick Review> For years South Carolina had talked about secession (1830’s Tariff issue). Talk of secession had become a perpetual threat…. The tide begins to shift  because of a  clash of interests (between 1820-1854)  abolition of slavery vs. territorial expansion. - Remember the  word is  COMPROMISE

1854~The Kansas-Nebraska Act The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854  created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and had the effect of repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing white male settlers in those territories to determine through popular sovereignty

Ostend Manifesto Southerners tried to buy Cuba-Spanish would not sell. Southerners wanted to take the island by force, Northerners were outraged by this thought.

John Brown killed 5 pro-slavery men 1855-56 Resulted after the Compromise of 1850; giving territory popular sovereignty John Brown killed 5 pro-slavery men Believed to be doing God’s work Bleeding Kansas was a huge event prior to the Civil War Violence would continue in KS until the beginning of the war The Abolitionists (start @ 2:40- 9:40) Bleeding Kansas

Charles Sumner

The Caning… Preston Brooks (Rep. from SC) beats Charles Sumner near death Sumner was pinned under a desk that was bolted to the floor (he couldn’t run away) Brooks stopped only when his cane broke The Senate did not have enough votes to get rid of Brooks Brooks paid a $300 fine for assault and was re-elected Sumner would go on to have traumatic brain injury/ spend 3 yrs. in treatment ‘It was slavery, not he, that struck the first blow’

John Brown~ Domestic Terrorist or National Hero? “Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say, let it be done.”   John Brown

1857~Dred Scott Decision Split in Two: the Dred Scott Decision (app. 6 min) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Dred & Harriet Scott were slaves who had been brought to the free state of Illinois & then to free territory of Wisconsin by Dr. Emerson After Emerson’s death, Scott sued for their freedom Constitutional Issues Does a slave (who is not a citizen) have the right to bring a case to Federal Court? Does a slave become a free person when he or she resides in a free state/territory? Decision: Supreme Court ruled against Scott. Scott was a slave, not a citizen, could not bring suit to federal court

Dred Scott decision Supreme Court stated that slaves were property Court went on to say, Constitution allows right to property Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional because it prohibits slavery (property) in portions of Louisiana Territory

1858~ Lincoln-Douglas Debates (:41) Illinois state election campaign Issues discussed Popularity sovereignty Lecompton Constitution Dred Scott Douglas won debates; but Lincoln will receive attention (beats Douglas in 1860 presidential election)

Freeport Doctrine Slavery could not exist without laws to protect it-territorial legislatures would have the final say on the slavery question. Argued by Stephen Douglas in response to Lincoln’s ‘Freeport Question’

Harpers Ferry Raid-1859 The Meteor (5 min) The Time Trial of John Brown