Drifting Towards Disunion Chapter 19 Honors

The Election of 1856 Democrats choose Pennsylvania lawyer James Buchanan – popular sovereignty Republicans choose John C. Fremont, hero of the Bear Flag Revolt during the Mex-Am War – anti-slavery Know Nothings (aka the American Party) –Millard Fillmore Order of the Star Spangled Banner –nativists Buchanan wins – widely regarded as one of our worst presidents ever

Tensions Rise in Kansas Reactions to popular sovereignty 1855 – First vote for Kansas legislature Shawnee Mission – slavery HQ, slavery supporters cam in from Mo. to vote Topeka – Free soil HQ, established an illegal government Lawrence, KS became the site of violence as slavery supporters shot up and burned free-soil Lawrence 1856, May - Pottowatomie Creek massacre John Brown and his followers dismember 5 proslaveryites

Tensions Rise in Kansas Reactions to popular sovereignty Lecompton Constitution – 1857 Proslaveryites draft a constitution – allow voters to only vote on the issue of whether or not to permit further slavery – proslaveryites pass it This document, however, is rejected by Congress James Buchanan (15th President) supports it, Stephen Douglas believes in protecting the democratic process – pushes for popular vote on the entire constitution Rejected in a referendum that included many abolitionist voters Buchanan alienates northern Democrats, Douglas alienates southern Democrats – Democratic party splits

Tensions Rise in Kansas Reactions to popular sovereignty 1856 - The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner Crass and unpopular, Sumner recites “The Crime Against Kansas” – refers to proslaveryites as “hirelings picked from the drunken spew and vomit of an uneasy civilization”, insults the well-liked Andrew Butler from South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks (SC), a relative of Butler’s, canes Sumner while at his desk until unconscious Southerners sent Brooks replacement canes in support Northerners distributed copies of Sumner’s speech

Fuel to the Fire Reactions to popular sovereignty 1857 – The Dred Scott Decision Handed down two days after Buchanan is inaugurated Dred Scott – a slave who lived with his master in IL and Wisc. Territory for more than five years sues for freedom Case reaches Supreme Court Evaluate Taney’s decision – what is his decision and how does he justify it?

Fuel to the Fire Crash of 1857 Factors Results Crimean War – too much grain in the market place California Gold – overinflated the dollar North claims the low tariff enacted months earlier hurt manufacturers Results “Bread or Death” – 5,000 businesses gone Southern economy largely unaffected Northern economy hurt by the crash – northerners call for higher tariffs; South opposed Northerners and Southerners called for the abandonment of the Land Ordinance of 1785 – land being sold by the government for revenue