1. Chapter 15, Section 2 A Nation Dividing

2. The Fugitive Slave Act The Act required all citizens to help catch runaway slaves The Act required all citizens to help catch runaway slaves Anyone who aided a fugitive could be fined or imprisoned Anyone who aided a fugitive could be fined or imprisoned Sometimes, freed African Americans were caught and forced into slavery Sometimes, freed African Americans were caught and forced into slavery

3. Resistance to the Law People resisted by helping with the Underground Railroad People resisted by helping with the Underground Railroad Some people tried to rescue African Americans from the slave hunters Some people tried to rescue African Americans from the slave hunters Some people donated funds to buy the freedom of slaves Some people donated funds to buy the freedom of slaves Northern juries refused to convict those of breaking the Fugitive Slave Law Northern juries refused to convict those of breaking the Fugitive Slave Law

4. The Kansas-Nebraska Act Hoping to encourage the settlement of the West, Douglas proposed organizing the Kansas and Nebraska territories Hoping to encourage the settlement of the West, Douglas proposed organizing the Kansas and Nebraska territories According to the Missouri Compromise, both would be free states According to the Missouri Compromise, both would be free states Douglas proposed that the issue of slavery be decided through popular sovereignty Douglas proposed that the issue of slavery be decided through popular sovereignty

5. Passage of the Act Northerners opposed the bill because it allowed slavery to exist in areas it had been forbidden for more than 30 years Northerners opposed the bill because it allowed slavery to exist in areas it had been forbidden for more than 30 years Southerners supported the bill because they thought slaveholders would move in and vote to become a slave state Southerners supported the bill because they thought slaveholders would move in and vote to become a slave state The bill passed in Congress in May of 1854 The bill passed in Congress in May of 1854

6. Division Grows Northern Democrats almost completely split on the issue Northern Democrats almost completely split on the issue Many had given up on compromising with the South Many had given up on compromising with the South Sam Houston said the bill “will convulse the country from Maine to the Rio Grande” Sam Houston said the bill “will convulse the country from Maine to the Rio Grande”

7. Conflict in Kansas Right after the passage of the act, slavery and anti-slavery supporters rushed into Kansas Right after the passage of the act, slavery and anti-slavery supporters rushed into Kansas A pro-slavery legislature was elected A pro-slavery legislature was elected Thousands of Missouri citizens crossed the border to vote in the elections Thousands of Missouri citizens crossed the border to vote in the elections The anti-slavery people refused to accept the new laws and formed their own government The anti-slavery people refused to accept the new laws and formed their own government

8. “Bleeding Kansas” In May of 1856, 800 slavery supporters attacked the town of Lawrence In May of 1856, 800 slavery supporters attacked the town of Lawrence John Brown, the most extreme abolitionist, believed God has chosen him to end slavery John Brown, the most extreme abolitionist, believed God has chosen him to end slavery He went on a rage, vowing to “strike terror in the hearts of the pro-slavery people.” He went on a rage, vowing to “strike terror in the hearts of the pro-slavery people.” He led the Pottawatomie Massacre, killing five slavery supporters He led the Pottawatomie Massacre, killing five slavery supporters This became known as the Civil War within Kansas This became known as the Civil War within Kansas

9. Violence in Congress Abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner delivered a speech entitled “The Crime Against Kansas.” Abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner delivered a speech entitled “The Crime Against Kansas.” Two days later, Representative Preston Brooks, walked into the Senate chamber and began beating Sumner over the head with his cane. Two days later, Representative Preston Brooks, walked into the Senate chamber and began beating Sumner over the head with his cane. Sumner suffered injuries so bad that he didn’t return to the Senate for years! Sumner suffered injuries so bad that he didn’t return to the Senate for years!