1. Secession

2. Introduction
The decision of the Supreme Court on the Dred Scott Case will allow for the spread of slavery across all of the territories of the United States
Despite this win for slave states, events like John Brown’s Raid and the Election of Lincoln in 1860 will push them toward secession
Secession: To formally withdraw from the Union

3. The Travels of Dred Scott
Free Territory
Free State
Slave State

4. The Dred Scott Decision
Supreme Court Response
Three key issues that the Supreme Court had to decide
Was Scott a citizen of the U.S.?
Does time spent on free soil cause freedom?
Do State governments or the National government have the right to decide where slavey can exist?

5. The Dred Scott Decision
Decision by the Court:
African Americans (free or slave) were not citizens and thus did not have rights
Slaves are considered property so their owners can take them anywhere and they will remain a slave
State governments and the National Government do not have the right to ban slavery because it violates property rights

6. John Brown’s Raid
John Brown was an abolitionist who wanted to end slavery by any means necessary
In Kansas, Brown killed many slave owners during “Bleeding Kansas”
Brown believed that by arming slaves he would start a slave rebellion and end slavery

7. John Brown’s Raid
Brown targeted a federal weapons arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
The plan: Steal the weapons and give them to slaves
The slaves never showed up, Brown was surrounded by soldiers led by Robert E. Lee
After a brief fight, Brown and his men surrendered

8. John Brown’s Raid
Brown is convicted of murder and treason and is executed
Significance: Northerners viewed Brown as a hero while Southerners saw him as a traitor and worry other Northerners will try to violently free slaves

9. The Election of 1860 Democratic Party split into two
North wanted Stephen Douglas
South wanted John C. Breckinridge
Constitutional Union Party: John Bell
Republican: Abraham Lincoln

10. The Election of 1860
Ultimately, Lincoln won only 40% of the popular vote
Lincoln did not carry a single southern state
If the Democratic Party did not split, Lincoln might have lost
Many Southerners feared that Lincoln would abolish slavery

11. Confederate States of America
In response to Lincoln’s election, the Southern states begin to secede.
On December 17, 1860, South Carolina secedes (1st state)
Within two months Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas secede from the US.
These states form the Confederate States of America
Elect Jefferson Davis president