 Goals for Learning  Explain why the statehood of Kansas was an issue for proslavery and antislavery forces  To identify the importance of the Dred Scott Case  To explain the importance of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates  To describe John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry.  To explain the importance of the election of 1860.

 Why would the state of Kansas be the site of intense struggle between slavery and anti- slavery forces?

 Nebraska’s long winters did not appeal to proslavery plantation owners.  The climate was not good for growing cotton. Kansas, on the other hand, was farther south and was the target of settlers who favored slavery.

 Proslavery and antislavery supporters wanted to claim land in Kansas before it was admitted to the Union.  People from New England moved to Kansas with the help of the New England Emigrant Aid Society.  They brought boxes of guns disguised in boxes labeled, “Bibles”.

 Southerners came from Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.  They were also prepared to fight.  Kansas became a battleground for the two groups.  The territory became known as “Bleeding Kansas.”

 The time came to organize a territorial government in Kansas.  An election was held: the settlers would vote for legislators.  Just before the election, Missouri’s senator, David R. Atchison, led a group of people into Kansas to vote for proslavery candidates.  Proslavery candidates win the election.

 The proslavery candidates that won quickly formed a government and wrote a constitution.  This upsets the anti-slavery people, who decide to form their own government.  Kansas now had two governments claiming to be the legal government.

 A group of proslavery men raided Lawrence, Kansas.  Many people who were against slavery lived there.  The invaders burned buildings and one man was killed.

 Brown, a radical abolitionist, and a small band of men attacked a proslavery group at Pottawatamie Creek in  They killed five proslavery settlers.  These and other attacks caused 200 deaths and over 2 million in property damage by the end of that same year.  It was become abundantly clear….. The slave issue would not be solved peacefully.

What caused the fighting in Kansas?

 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts made a speech against slavery.  In his speech, Mr. Sumner insulted Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina. He made several belittling remarks about the state of South Carolina.  The name-calling drew applause from the Northern Senators.

Sumner’s nephew, Preston Brooks, was very upset about Senator Sumner’s remarks. Brooks, a congressman, walked into Sumner’s office and assaulted him with a cane.

 It takes Sumner almost three years to recover from the assault.  What stood out the most…….. The violence over slavery in Kansas, had now spread to the halls of Congress!  Rational approaches to the problem were no longer the answer.

 Major Issue:  SLAVERY  Troubles in Kansas continued. The nation seemed like it was on its way to a head on collision.  War was starting to look inevitable.

 James Buchanan  Democratic Party  Old Buck of Pennsylvania.  Was considered to be a safe choice.  Did not get mixed up in the Kansas mess.  Did not actively seek the presidency.  John C. Fremont  Republican Candidate from California.  Army leader from the Mexican War  Well-known explorer  Democrats made it known that he was a Catholic.  Own Father-in-Law did not support him.