1. The Crisis Deepens: Free and Slave States and Territories
US History, 5/22-24
Chapter 15.2

2. Objective
SWBAT explain how the Fugitive Slave Act inspired different opinions on slavery in America

3. What was the Fugitive Slave Act?
Stop and think: If you were a commissionerwhat would you do and why?
1850 law that helped slaveholders recapture
runaway slaves
Fugitive slaves could be held without
an arrest warrant and no right to a jury trial
Instead, a federal commissioner ruled on
each case.
Commissioners received $5 for releasing
the defendant and $10 for turning the defendant
over to the slaveholders

4. Reactions to the Fugitive Slave Act
Southerners
Felt the act was justified because they considered slaves to be property
Went up north to recapture slaves
Often captured free African Americans
Northerners
Resented the act because they had to help recapture slaves
Were fined for not helping recapture slaves and jailed for helping fugitives escape

5. THINK ABOUT IT!
Northerners faced a moral decision: Should they obey the law and support slavery or not support slavery and not obey the law?
Which do you think is better: Should they obey the law and support slavery? OR should they not support slavery and disobey the law?
Take two minutes to write down your opinion
Discuss with a neighbor for three minutes and be prepared to share with the class!

6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852
Increased the popularity of drama and abolitionism
Uncle Tom = a respected older slave
Plot = Tom’s life under 3 owners. Two = kind, one = cruel
Novel included dramatic scenes, including the escape of Eliza (slave) and her baby across the Ohio River

7. Reactions to Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Gained wild popularity in the North
Falsely criticized the South and slavery
Today, we will have a special guest joining us in class. Please give a warm welcome to…HARRIET BEECHER STOWE!!

8. Kansas Nebraska Act
Bill drafted by Senator Stephen A. Douglas (IL) to organize territorial governments for the Nebraska territory. He proposed to divide the bill into two territories: Nebraska and Kansas
In order to gain Southern support for the bill, he suggested popular sovereignty as a way to decide whether or not to allow slavery in each of the territories
Popular sovereignty: system where residents vote to decide on an issue
If the bill passed, the Missouri Compromise would no longer be legal because people could vote for slavery in territories where the MC had banned it

9. To Pass or not to pass the KS-NE Act?
Southerners were thrilled with the repeal of the MC and supported the bill
Despite anger from opponents of slavery (mainly Northerners), it passed and became known as the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Most did not realize that this act would result in Kansas engaging in a conflict over slavery

10. Bleeding Kansas
Both pro and anti slavery settlers rushed into the KS territory to vote for territorial legislature
Election took place in March 1855
Proslavery settlers > Antislavery settlers
Proslavery forces did not want to risk losing the election, so 5000 Missourians voted in the election illegally so the KS legislature had a large number of proslavery representatives
Antislavery settlers boycotted the official government to form their own one

11. THINK ABOUT IT!
What factors do you think accounted for the large number of proslavery settlers in KS?
Take three minutes to write a response in your notes, which you do NOT need to turn in
Be prepared to share with the class

12. Violence in Kansas
Sack of Lawrence: A proslavery mob destroyed offices and the house of the antislavery government governor in Lawrence, KS
John Brown: An extreme abolitionist who often used violence as a way to fight against slavery.
Pottawatomie Massacre: Brown and seven other men murdered five people within the cabins of his proslavery neighbors.
In late May of 1856, Senator Charles Summer (MA) made a speech attacking proslavery

13. Violence in Congress
In late May of 1856, Senator Charles Sumner (MA) made a speech attacking proslavery forces
His speech had many insults and even made fun of proslavery senator A. P. Butler (SC)
One of Butler’s relatives, Preston Brooks, defended Butler and the South by attacking Sumner
Brooks hit Sumner with his cane at least 30 times
Southerners cheered Brooks' defense but Northerners were shocked. The incident became known as “Bleeding Sumner”

14. THINK ABOUT IT!
Using your knowledge of “Bleeding Kansas” and “Bleeding Sumner,” discuss for five minutes with a neighbor if you think the following acts of violence are morally wrong or could be considered self-defense
Proslavery mob attacking offices and home of the antislavery government (Sack of Lawrence)
John Brown and his men murdering proslavery neighbors
“Bleeding Sumner”