“Drifting Toward Disunion” ( ) AP U.S. – Chapter 19

1850s – “Moral Temperatures” Rising 1. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is published in Brooks vs Sumner in Congress 3. Kansas gets “Bloody” (1855) 4. Dred Scott Decision (1857) 5. Rise of the Republicans (late 1850s)

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Purpose was to awaken the North to the wickedness and brutality of slavery. Purpose was to awaken the North to the wickedness and brutality of slavery. “God wrote it.” “God wrote it.” Millions of copies distributed in over 20 different languages. (widely read in Britain & France) Millions of copies distributed in over 20 different languages. (widely read in Britain & France) “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war.” - Abraham Lincoln “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war.” - Abraham Lincoln

Turmoil in Kansas Resulting from Kansas-Nebraska Bill (pop. sov.) Resulting from Kansas-Nebraska Bill (pop. sov.) New England Emigrant Aid Company New England Emigrant Aid Company Famous abolitionist organization Famous abolitionist organization “Nebrascals” “Nebrascals” The 1860 census listed only 2 slaves among a population of 170,000 in Kansas and only a total of 15 slaves in Nebraska The 1860 census listed only 2 slaves among a population of 170,000 in Kansas and only a total of 15 slaves in Nebraska Quarrel over slavery in the territories revolved around “an imaginary negro living in an impossible place.” Quarrel over slavery in the territories revolved around “an imaginary negro living in an impossible place.” 1856 – Burning of Lawrence by pro-slavery gang & the massacre at Pottawatomie Creek by John Brown and his anti-slavery followers – Burning of Lawrence by pro-slavery gang & the massacre at Pottawatomie Creek by John Brown and his anti-slavery followers.

The LeCompton Constitution Kansas – 1857 Kansas – 1857 Devised by proslavery people Devised by proslavery people Voters not permitted to vote for Kansas Constitution as a whole but for the Constitution either “with” or “without” slavery. Voters not permitted to vote for Kansas Constitution as a whole but for the Constitution either “with” or “without” slavery. If the people voted against slavery, the owners of slaves already in Kansas could keep them. (Means that either way, slavery would exist in Kansas!!!) If the people voted against slavery, the owners of slaves already in Kansas could keep them. (Means that either way, slavery would exist in Kansas!!!) President Buchanan – supported LeCompton President Buchanan – supported LeCompton Why? Why? Stephen Douglas – opposed LeCompton Stephen Douglas – opposed LeCompton Why? Why? Effect/Impact??? Effect/Impact???

Brooks’ “Beat-Down” of Sumner Charles Sumner – U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Charles Sumner – U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Leading abolitionist Leading abolitionist “The Crime Against Kansas.” – pro-slavers were from the “drunken spew and vomit of an uneasy civilization.” “The Crime Against Kansas.” – pro-slavers were from the “drunken spew and vomit of an uneasy civilization.” Preston Brooks – U.S. Representative from South Carolina Preston Brooks – U.S. Representative from South Carolina Acting in defense of his buddy, Brooks pounded Sumner with a cane repeatedly rendering him bloody and unconscious. Acting in defense of his buddy, Brooks pounded Sumner with a cane repeatedly rendering him bloody and unconscious. Effect/Significance??? Effect/Significance???

Presidential Election of 1856 Democrats (pop sov) – nominated James Buchanan (PA lawyer) Why??? Democrats (pop sov) – nominated James Buchanan (PA lawyer) Why??? Republicans (anti-slavery)– nominated John C. Fremont Why??? Republicans (anti-slavery)– nominated John C. Fremont Why??? Know-Nothing Party – anti-foreigner and anti- Catholic. Nominated former President Millard Fillmore Know-Nothing Party – anti-foreigner and anti- Catholic. Nominated former President Millard Fillmore Cut into Republican strength Cut into Republican strength Buchanan wins - Why??? Buchanan wins - Why???

The Dred Scott Decision Ruling of U.S. Supreme Court (southern majority) handed down on March 6, 1857 Ruling of U.S. Supreme Court (southern majority) handed down on March 6, 1857 Ruled that slaves were “property” and thus could not “sue.” Furthermore, since they were “property”, they could be taken anywhere and still be legally held as a slave. Ruled that slaves were “property” and thus could not “sue.” Furthermore, since they were “property”, they could be taken anywhere and still be legally held as a slave. The Court also ruled that the now-defunct Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional all along and that Congress had no power to ban slavery in the territories. The Court also ruled that the now-defunct Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional all along and that Congress had no power to ban slavery in the territories. Southerners were delighted. Pop. Sov. Advocates as well as northerners were irate!!!! Southerners were delighted. Pop. Sov. Advocates as well as northerners were irate!!!!

The Panic of 1857 “Psychologically” the worst panic of the entire 19 th century. “Psychologically” the worst panic of the entire 19 th century. Causes: Causes: Influx of California Gold (high inflation) Influx of California Gold (high inflation) Land & RR speculation Land & RR speculation Overproduction of grain Overproduction of grain Effects: Effects: The normal stuff The normal stuff North was hardest hit. / South gets “cotton muscles” North was hardest hit. / South gets “cotton muscles” Triggers demand for free farmland (Buchanan vetoes) and a demand for higher tariffs. Triggers demand for free farmland (Buchanan vetoes) and a demand for higher tariffs.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates Illinois Senate seat in Election of 1858 Illinois Senate seat in Election of 1858 Stephen Douglas (Dem) vs Abraham Lincoln (Rep) Stephen Douglas (Dem) vs Abraham Lincoln (Rep) Freeport, Illinois (Lincoln’s best debate) Freeport, Illinois (Lincoln’s best debate) ??? – Who had more power in determining slavery issue? Supreme Court or the People ??? – Who had more power in determining slavery issue? Supreme Court or the People Douglas wins the battle but Lincoln wins the war!!! Douglas wins the battle but Lincoln wins the war!!!

John Brown 1856 – Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas 1856 – Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas 1859 – Raid on Harper’s Ferry munitions depot 1859 – Raid on Harper’s Ferry munitions depot Scheme to create an armed slave rebellion. Scheme to create an armed slave rebellion. Convicted of Murder and Treason Convicted of Murder and Treason Executed Executed Caused even more animosity between North & South Caused even more animosity between North & South A definite martyr!!! A definite martyr!!!

The Democratic Party in way split 3-way split Stephen Douglas – Northern Wing Stephen Douglas – Northern Wing Popular sovereignty, Enforce Fugitive Slave Law Popular sovereignty, Enforce Fugitive Slave Law John C. Breckenridge – Southern Wing John C. Breckenridge – Southern Wing Extension of slavery, annexation of Cuba Extension of slavery, annexation of Cuba John Bell – Middle of the Road Wing John Bell – Middle of the Road Wing Feared for the Union Feared for the Union

The Republican Party in 1860 Lincoln wins nomination over Seward Lincoln wins nomination over Seward Platform: Platform: 1. Non-extension of slavery 2. Protective tariff 3. Immigrant rights 4. Pacific RR 5. Internal improvements of West at Federal expense 6. Free Homesteads Lincoln offered something appealing to every non- southern group Lincoln offered something appealing to every non- southern group

The Election of 1860 Lincoln wins even though 60% of voters voted for someone else. Lincoln wins even though 60% of voters voted for someone else. Clearfield & Jefferson County, PA (Pg. 426) Clearfield & Jefferson County, PA (Pg. 426) Despite Lincoln’s victory, the South still had a great deal of political clout!!! Despite Lincoln’s victory, the South still had a great deal of political clout!!! 5-4 majority on Supreme Court 5-4 majority on Supreme Court Democrats controlled both houses of Congress Democrats controlled both houses of Congress Let the exodus begin!!! Let the exodus begin!!!

The Secessionist Exodus South Carolina went 1 st (1860) South Carolina went 1 st (1860) 10 other southern states would ultimately follow. 10 other southern states would ultimately follow. February 1861 – The Confederate States of America were formed at a meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. (Jefferson Davis named Confederate President) February 1861 – The Confederate States of America were formed at a meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. (Jefferson Davis named Confederate President) Why didn’t Buchanan & Lincoln use force to prevent this secession??? Why didn’t Buchanan & Lincoln use force to prevent this secession???

The Collapse of Compromise Proposed by Senator Crittenden of Kentucky (a disciple of Henry Clay) Proposed by Senator Crittenden of Kentucky (a disciple of Henry Clay) Proposal: Proposal: Prohibit slavery in territories north of 36’30, but south of that line slavery would be Federally protected. Prohibit slavery in territories north of 36’30, but south of that line slavery would be Federally protected. Flatly rejected by Lincoln !!! Flatly rejected by Lincoln !!!

One Last Point… Most southerners who supported secession did so because they felt certain that their departure would be unopposed!!! Most southerners who supported secession did so because they felt certain that their departure would be unopposed!!!