1. The Nation Breaking Apart 1846–1861

2. Chapter 15: The Nation Breaking Apart, 1846–1861
Essential Question
What issues and events shattered the nation’s unity and led to civil war?
Why It Matters Now
The tension between government power and states’ rights remains an important feature of American politics.

3. The Nation Breaking Apart, 1846–1861
Rising anger over slavery increased tensions between the North and South and led to violence, a realignment of political parties, and secession.

4. Tensions Rise Between North and South
Key Ideas
Before, you learned
The North and South tried to reach a compromise in their disagreements over slavery.
Now you will learn
Rising anger over slavery increased tensions between the North and South and led to violence.

5. Tensions Rise Between North and South
TERMS AND NAMES
Wilmot Proviso — 1846 proposal that outlawed slavery in any territory gained from the War with Mexico
Free-Soil Party — political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery
Stephen A. Douglas — Illinois senator who backed the Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850 — series of laws intended to settle the major disagreements between free states and slave states
Fugitive Slave Act — 1850 law meant to help slaveholders recapture runaway slaves

6. Tensions Rise Between North and South
TERMS AND NAMES {continued}
Harriet Beecher Stowe — abolitionist; author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin — novel published by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852 that showed slavery as brutal and immoral
Kansas-Nebraska Act — 1854 law that established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and gave their residents the right to decide whether to allow slavery

7. North and South Follow Different Paths
Key Question
How did the economies of the North and South differ?
THINK ABOUT
Northern industry drew immigrants to cities
Easterners, immigrants built farms in Midwest
most Southern whites were poor farmers

8. Slavery and Territorial Expansion
Key Question
How did territorial expansion inflame sectional conflicts?
THINK ABOUT
Wilmot Proviso tried to outlaw slavery in lands acquired from Mexico
Free-Soil Party formed, made slavery an issue in national politics
how did the Compromise of 1850 temporarily end sectional bickering? What is bickering?

9. The Crisis Deepens Key Question
How did the Fugitive Slave Act deepen the crisis?
THINK ABOUT
accused fugitives could be held without warrant
Northerners were required to help recapture runaways
increased support for abolition, inspired Stowe to write her novel

10. Violence Erupts Key Question
Why did violence erupt in Kansas and Congress?
THINK ABOUT
1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act lets popular sovereignty decide slavery
illegal voters help make Kansas legislature pro-slavery
Sumner insults Butler in Senate; Brooks beats Sumner in retaliation

11. Slavery Dominates Politics
Key Ideas
Before, you learned
Rising anger over slavery destroyed compromise between the North and South and led to violence.
Now you will learn
The formation of the antislavery Republican Party further divided the country.

12. Slavery Dominates Politics
TERMS AND NAMES
Republican Party — political party formed in 1854 by opponents of slavery
John C. Frémont — Republican presidential candidate in 1856
James Buchanan Democratic presidential candidate in 1856
Dred Scott v. Sandford — 1856 Supreme Court case in which a slave, Dred Scott, sued for his freedom; the Court ruled against Scott

13. Slavery Dominates Politics
TERMS AND NAMES {continued}
Roger B. Taney — Supreme Court Chief Justice who judged the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford
Abraham Lincoln — Illinois Republican who ran against Stephen A. Douglas in 1858
Harpers Ferry — federal arsenal in Virginia; captured in 1859 during an antislavery revolt

14. Slavery and Political Division
Key Question
How did the issue of slavery affect political parties?
THINK ABOUT
Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Whig Party
Republican Party founded—antislavery and pro-North
anti-immigrant Know-Nothing Party divided over slavery, had little strength

15. The Breaking Point Key Question
What events brought the nation to a crisis?
THINK ABOUT
Chief Justice Taney’s ruling in Dred Scott affected slaves, Congress
Lincoln-Douglas debates publicized arguments on expansion of slavery
North and South reacted differently to John Brown’s death sentence

16. Lincoln’s Election and Southern Secession
Key Ideas
Before, you learned
The formation of the antislavery Republican Party further divided the country.
Now you will learn
The election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860 led seven Southern states to secede from the Union.

17. Lincoln’s Election and Southern Secession
TERMS AND NAMES
Confederate States of America — confederation formed in 1861 by the Southern states after their secession from the Union
Jefferson Davis — first president of the Confederate States of America
Crittenden Compromise — compromise introduced in 1861 that might have prevented secession

18. The Election of 1860 Key Question
How did the 1860 election reveal the divisions in the country?
THINK ABOUT
what disagreement did Democrats have over the party platform? What does platform mean here?
Northern and Southern Democrats nominated different candidates
in North, Lincoln defeated Douglas; in South, Breckenridge beat Bell

19. Southern States Secede
Key Question
How did seven Southern states justify their decision to secede?
THINK ABOUT
Southern view: states chose to join Union and could choose to leave
Northern view: federal government sovereign, secession unconstitutional
majority rule became issue between North and South