1. Sectionalism & Seething Anger

2.  Americans in 1848 stood poised between two worlds  By mid-century each section thought of itself as possessing a distinct and superior way of life

3. 1848 Wilmot Proviso On August 8, 1846, Congressman David Wilmot from Pennsylvania attached a proviso to a bill that slavery be excluded from any territory acquired from MexicoOn August 8, 1846, Congressman David Wilmot from Pennsylvania attached a proviso to a bill that slavery be excluded from any territory acquired from Mexico An Illinois Whig by the name of Abraham Lincoln claimed to have voted for it “at least forty times”An Illinois Whig by the name of Abraham Lincoln claimed to have voted for it “at least forty times”

4. Following the Gold Rush JEFFERSON DAVIS

5. Compromise of 1850 FIVE PARTS 1)California admitted as a free state 2)Utah & New Mexico admitted with no mention of slavery 3)Settle Texas’ boundary claims for $10 million 4)Suppress slavery in Washington D.C. 5)Enact a more stringent fugitive slave law

6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin “So you’re the little lady who started this Civil War?” ~ Abraham Lincoln to Harriet Beecher Stowe

7. “Know Nothing” Party Laboring and middle- class native-born Americans sought a third party to attack immigrants AND fight slaveryLaboring and middle- class native-born Americans sought a third party to attack immigrants AND fight slavery Profiting from a growing belief that both the Whigs and Democrats were corrupt, Know- Nothings swept the field in MassachusettsProfiting from a growing belief that both the Whigs and Democrats were corrupt, Know- Nothings swept the field in Massachusetts

8. 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act Douglas presented a bill to Congress on January 4, 1854, for the organizing of Nebraska which left settlers free to decide the slavery question themselvesDouglas presented a bill to Congress on January 4, 1854, for the organizing of Nebraska which left settlers free to decide the slavery question themselves The repeal kicked up “a hell of a storm” when President Franklin Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill on May 30, 1854The repeal kicked up “a hell of a storm” when President Franklin Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill on May 30, 1854

9. “Bleeding Kansas”

10. Dred Scott vs. Sandford Supreme Court decided the case on March 6, 1857, having argued a full yearSupreme Court decided the case on March 6, 1857, having argued a full year Scott lived for five years on free soil prior to the death of his masterScott lived for five years on free soil prior to the death of his master The court ruled 7-to-2 against himThe court ruled 7-to-2 against him As the South celebrated, the North fumedAs the South celebrated, the North fumed

11. Democratic Split Democrats’ dissention had now become an open split, with Douglas on one side and President Buchanan on the otherDemocrats’ dissention had now become an open split, with Douglas on one side and President Buchanan on the other With Democrats in disarray, John Brown launched his reckless foray into northern Virginia in October 1859…he was hung on December 2With Democrats in disarray, John Brown launched his reckless foray into northern Virginia in October 1859…he was hung on December 2

12. Election of 1860

13. Confederate States of America