1. Sectional Conflicts & National Politics

2. Bleeding Kansas North & South both realized the importance of settling Kansas Pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces were fighting for control of Kansas People will decide the issue of slavery in Kansas Voting fraud – 1700 armed Missourians cross border in 1854 and demand to be able to vote; proslavery delegate to Congress is elected -1855: more than double the votes of registered voters were cast; 36 pro-slavery & 3 free soilers elected

3. Fighting for Kansas Territorial legislature met in Lecompton -quickly passed a slave code (allowing slavery) Free soilers refused to accept this new gov’t -They set up their own gov’t Lawrence – anti-slavery town was burned & looted by pro-slavery forces John Brown- moved to Kansas from PA -1856- his gang drags 5 pro-slavery settlers out of their cabins & execute them (Pottawatomie Massacre)

4. Civil War in Kansas Pro & anti-slavery forces fought battles, burned & looted property in Kansas 1856 MA senator Charles Sumner delivered an angry speech in the Senate His speech also attacked southern senators, including SC Andrew Butler Preston Brooks, Butler’s nephew & SC senator, beats Sumner 30 times with a gold handled cane North kept Sumner’s empty chair open Southerners sent Brooks 100s of canes

5. Dred Scott Decision Slave Dred Scott sued for his freedom Deeply divided Supreme Court ruled against Scott -5 th Amend. Protected property rights of persons owning slaves Effects: (1) Increased northern opposition to slavery (2) Deprived free Afr. Am. citizenship if descended from slaves (3) Widened divisions in Democratic Party (4) Increased tensions of North & South

6. Lecompton Constitution Was drafted by pro-slavery delegates But free soilers won elections in Oct. 1857 So constitution was not put to popular vote Pres. Buchanan (Democrat) sent constitution to Congress -Senate passed it; House blocked it Congress had people of Kansas vote again -if passed, KS would be slave state; if not it would have to wait until it got 90,000 to become a state Kansas voters rejected the constitution

7. John Brown’s Raid Raided US arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, VA (Oct. 1858) -Brown hoped local slaves would join his revolt US marines led by Robert Lee captured Brown -Brown & his men hanged for treason (Dec. 1859) Effects: Brown viewed as a hero in the North Increased southern fears that abolitionists would inspire slave revolts United the South Likely speeded the arrival of the Civil War