Violence Erupts in the Union Ch. 10 Sec. 2

Main Idea The Compromise of 1850 led to a further increase in sectional tensions. ◦Was it justified? ◦As sectional tensions rose, some Americans openly defied laws they thought were unjust.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852-Uncle Tom’s Cabin- Written by Harriett Beecher Stowe. ◦Sells more than 300,000 copies. ◦Northerners angry over story of abuse ◦Southerners angry over how slavery is portrayed. ◦ Tried to have the book banned.  Emotionalization over slavery

Fugitive Slave Act Fugitive Slave Act- tougher laws to prevent slaves from running away. ◦A sworn statement from a white person is all the courts needed to bring an African American back south.  Denied right to a trial by jury.  People who refused to help capture a slave could be jailed.

Fugitive Slave Act ◦Seems to benefit South.  But… ◦ 1. It becomes a rallying point for abolitionists. ◦ 2. Northerners are not inclined to enforce it. ◦ 3. Popular opinion and personal liberty made it unenforceable.  Further increased sectionalism.

Underground Railroad Frederick Douglass uses the Fugitive Slave Act to rally abolitionists. ◦Underground Railroad  Members call “conductors”. Harriett TubmanHarriett Tubman  Designed to move slaves to Canada. ◦ Phony floors and walls ◦ Psychological impact probably greater than actual impact.

Census Year # Slaves # Free blacks Total black % free blacks Total US population % black of total ,68159,527757,2087.9%3,929,21419% ,602108,4351,002, %5,308,48319% 18101,191,362186,4461,377, %7,239,88119% 18201,538,022233,6341,771, %9,638,45318% 18302,009,043319,5992,328, %12,860,70218% 18402,487,355386,2932,873, %17,063,35317% 18503,204,313434,4953,638, %23,191,87616% 18603,953,760488,0704,441, %31,443,32114% ,880, %38,558,37113% Source:

Transcontinental Railroad Secretary of War (Jefferson Davis) organized the Gadsden Purchase. ◦Purchased in 1853 from Mexico at the southern skirt of the Rocky Mts. for $10 Mil.  Railroad connecting West-East could unite the country and end sectional differences.  Would also be greatly beneficial economically.

Transcontinental Railroad Potential routes for the railroad: ◦1. Northern-Minneapolis to Seattle ◦2. Central- Chicago to San Francisco ◦3. Central- Memphis to Los Angeles ◦4. Southern- New Orleans to San Diego  Southern route makes most sense. ◦ Least costly. ◦ Travels through organized territory. ◦Stephen Douglass proposes a bill to organize Nebraska, which sold the Northern route.  Southern Senators refuse to pass the bill unless the Missouri Compromise is repealed and Nebraska is admitted as a slave state.

Kansas-Nebraska Act Sen. Douglass (IL) proposes the Kansas- Nebraska Act ◦Provisions:  1. Divide Nebraska into two territories.  2. Popular sovereignty would be used to determine slavery issue.  3. Missouri Compromise would be voided.  4. Implicitly- Nebraska would be free, Kansas would be slave—Or so the south thought. ◦Passes on May 25, 1854

Problems with the K-N Act Bleeding Kansas John Brown's Raid