Chapter 14: The Nation Divided Section 3: The Crisis Deepens

A New Anti-Slavery Party 1854: Whig party splits apart Some join the new Republican Party: main goal is to stop the spread of slavery into the western territories Northern Democrats & Free-Soilers joined the Republican Party Congressional Elections (1854): of the 245 possible seats, 105 were Republicans

A New Anti-Slavery Party Election of 1856: Republicans wage a strong anti-slavery campaign Republicans: John C. Fremont Democrats: James Buchanan (Wins election) John C. James Fremont Buchanan

The Dred Scott Decision Supreme Court delivered a huge blow to anti-slavery forces Dred Scott: slave owned by an Army doctor Scott had lived in Illinois and Wisconsin territory (free states) When Scott and the Army Doctor settled in Missouri, Scott sued for his freedom

The Dred Scott Decision Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the decision: Scott was not a free man Scott had no right to sue because African Americans were not citizens Merely living in free territory did not make an enslaved person free Slaves were property, & property was protected by the Constitution Congress does not have the power to regulate slavery in any territory Missouri Compromise = unconstitutional

The Dred Scott Decision - Reaction South rejoiced – Slavery was now legal in all territories North stunned – condemned the ruling; some believed the ruling would bring more people to the abolitionist cause Many hoped that slavery would die out – now it could spread into the western territories A young lawyer, Abraham Lincoln spoke out against the decision

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Lincoln’s opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act brought him back into politics as a Republican His rival = Stephen Douglas 1858: Republicans chose Lincoln to run against Douglas for the Senate seat in Illinois South believed Lincoln was an abolitionist

Debating Slavery Douglas strongly defended popular sovereignty Douglas painted Lincoln as a dangerous abolitionist who wanted equality for African Americans Lincoln took a stand against the spread of slavery Lincoln predicted slavery would die on its own if it were restricted from spreading

Debating Slavery In the end, Douglas won the Senate election The debates made Lincoln a national figure 2 years later (1860) the two men would vie against each other again for the Presidency Stephen ` Abraham Douglas Lincoln

John Brown’s Raid John Brown hatched a plot to raise an army and free enslaved people in the South 1859: John Brown & his men attacked the town of Harper’s Ferry, Virginia His goal was to seize the armory; to arm enslaved African Americans; & lead them in revolt

John Brown’s Raid Brown quickly gained control of the armory Troops commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee quickly surrounded them in the armory 10 of Brown’s men were killed; Brown was wounded and captured

John Brown’s Raid Brown was put on trial Brown sat quietly as he was found guilty of murder and treason Brown said God had directed him to protect the poor & enslaved He showed no emotion as he was sentenced to death

John Brown’s Raid Virginia hanged Brown for treason of December 2, 1859 Church bells across the North rang in mourning for Brown South was shocked – the north supported a man who tried to lead a slave revolt… South was convinced the North was out to destroy their way of life

Questions Why did the Lincoln-Douglas debates & John Brown’s raid increase tensions between the North and South? What was the result of the election of 1856? Why did Dred Scott claim he was no longer enslaved? What position did Douglas take on slavery? What was John Brown’s goal in launching the raid on Harper’s ferry?