From: The Great Debates to a Rail Splitter Splits the Union

The Great Debate: Lincoln vs. Douglas  The Lincoln vs. Douglas debates lasted from August to October of 1858  Lincoln was a fierce debater  Lincoln argued if a state should vote slavery down. Who would prevail? The Court or the People?  Douglas argued for popular sovereignty or power to the people

The Great Debate continued…  Douglas publicly answered the Freeport Question: Which asked whether the court or the people decide the future of slavery in the territories, which became known as the Freeport Doctrine  Douglas eventually defeated Lincoln for the Senate but Lincoln won the moral victory  Lincoln made a name for himself while Douglas was left in shambles after his opposition to the Lecompton Constitution  Helped Lincoln’s run for presidency later on  The debates marked an early battle in the civil war

John Brown: Murderer or Martyr?  Plan: invade South, arm slaves, and establish a black free state  Seized federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry 7 innocents killed- including 1 free black ~ 10 injured  Slaves didn’t know about Brown’s plan  didn’t revolt  Brown captured by U.S. Marines under command of Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee Convicted of murder and treason  hung

John Brown Continued…  Last words: “This is a beautiful country.”  Effects: Southerners questioned how they could remain in Union Northerners openly deplored exploit  Abolitionists infuriated by execution- outraged that VA hung reformer working for “so righteous a cause” Brown compared to Jesus

The Disruption of Democrats  Democrats met in Charleston, SC Southern “fire-eaters” thought he was a traitor  Due to his unpopular stand on Lecompton Constitution and Freeport Doctrine Delegates from most cotton-states walked out  couldn’t get 2/3 vote  Became a trend  Democrats met again in Baltimore Many cotton-state dele3gates walked out again, but Douglas was nominated  platform: popular sovereignty and against obstruction of the Fugitive Slave law by the states Angry southern democrats organized rival convention in Baltimore  Many northern states unrepresented  John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky selected as leader Platform: favored extension of slavery into the territories and annexation of slave- populated Cuba

Continued…  Constitutional Union party Feared for Union Aka “Do Nothing” or “Old Gentleman’s” party Consisted mainly of former Whigs and Know-Nothings  Met in Baltimore  nominated John Bell of Tennessee

A Rail Splitter, Splits the Rail  The Republican Party met in Chicago and nominated Abraham Lincoln as their presidential Candidate.  The Republican platform had an appeal to nearly every part of the nation. For free-soilers, non extension of slavery For northern manufacturers, a protective tariff For the immigrants, no abridgment of rights For the northwest, a pacific railroad For the west, internal improvements at federal expense For farmers, free homesteads from public domain  The Southerners claimed if Lincoln was elected as President, the Union would split.