AP US HistoryMr. Long

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and gold ignited a new political/sectional battle

• ISSUE = Slavery and its extension into new territory

At this point in history political parties are a bond in national unity.

• Political parties share members in all parts of the nation.

• NOT BASED ON GEOGRAPHY (SECTIONAL) The slavery issue will change this!

The two major political parties of the day are…

Democrats (state rightists) Whigs (nationalistic)

Minor parties were also players such as the Free-Soil Party (anti-slavery)▪ What major party of the Civil War is missing?

REPUBLICAN

Election of 1848 Lewis Cass (Dem) Zachary Taylor (Whig) Winner Martin Van Buren (Free-Soil) Stances on slavery…▪ Democrats: Took no stance on the issue as a

party. Cass let his thoughts be known. Popular sovereignty.▪ Wanted to make national issue a local issue!

▪ Whigs: Focused on homespun virtues of their candidate and dodged issue.▪ Free Soil: Clearly against spread of slavery/slavery

itself. Didn’t want to share Western lands with blacks.

So what changed in the US to bring on this political/sectional disunity?

• Massive new territory with the Mexican Cession Area

• California Gold Rush of 1849• Lack of Northern support for Fugitive Slave Laws

• Underground Railroad

Gold was found in California in 1848• California Gold Rush: masses of people

flooded CA in 1849 in search of riches. California needs a government

• Crime is rampant in California gold towns. • People draft a constitution and request

statehood.

Want to join Union as a free state (PROBLEM?)

THIS WOULD THROW OFF THE BALANCE IN SENATE AND MIGHT SET A PRECIDENT FOR MEXICAN CESSION AREA! (15/15)▪ South had paid for this territory with its blood

Up to this point South is still well off politically▪ Provide many of the leaders▪ Balance in Senate even if outnumbered in House▪ They could stop any legislation about abolition

Underground Railroad: • A system of homes (stations)

which slaves (passengers) would be taken on to go from the South to free Canada.

Harriet Tubman: Former slave who made 19 trips freeing some 300 slaves from bondage.

Why did the South hate the Underground Railroad?• Simply, they lost valuable property.

• South would call for tougher Fugitive Slave Laws. They didn’t work b/c the North didn’t enforce

them.

Southern Fears made their way to Washington in 1850• Free-soil CA wants statehood• “fire-eaters” in South wanted secession if

demands not met New Fugitive Slave Laws

WHO WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE? Great Triumvirate

Henry Clay “Great Compromiser” Kentucky 73yrs old Solution: Urged that

both North and South make concessions and that the North enact more feasible fugitive slave laws. ▪ Backed vigorously by

Senator Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois)

John C. Calhoun “Great Nullifier” South Carolina 68yrs old Solution: Leave slavery

alone, return runaway slaves, give rights to the minority (Southerners) and restore political balance. ▪ Proposed to have 2

presidents both with veto▪ One North and One South

Daniel Webster Massachusetts 68yrs old Solution: In agreement with

Clay’s compromise. Gave 7th of March speech

(3hrs long) Said God had legislated on

slavery in new territories through geography.

Regarded slavery as evil but disunion as worse.▪ Union is the issue to most

people, not slavery.

Young Guard v Old Guard• Young Guard:

Rid Union of slavery and those who support it

Led by William Seward (NY Senator) President Taylor agrees and is ready to

veto any compromise that would pass his desk.

President Taylor dies suddenly in 1850 = helps case fore concession.

• Old Guard = Great Triumvirate

Compromise of 1850: Concession on the issue• Terms:

California admitted to Union as a free state Permanently tipped Senate balance to free states

Popular Sovereignty would settle slavery issue in NM and Utah and establish territorial governments there Nature made slavery useless in these areas.

Abolition of slave trade in D.C Continued protection of slavery in D.C Texas gets $10 million towards debt New Fugitive Slave Laws of 1850

North “union savers” love it, South “fire-eaters” despised it

NORTH CLEARLY GETS THE BETTER DEAL!

NORTHERN GAINS

California admitted as a free state

Senate Balance tipped permanently

Popular Sovereignty would settle slavery issue in NM and Utah• Geography made the

slave system useless there.

SOUTHERN GAINS

Texas gets $10 million towards debt

Halted abolition movement in D.C. for time being

Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 “Bloodhound Bill”• Pushes moderates

towards anti-slavery ranks

• Biggest blunder of South Turned more away then

gained.

RESULTS:

• The North clearly gets a better deal.

• South will be looking for new territories to regain a balance in Senate. (Where?)

• Compromise of 1850 WON THE WAR for the North. Provided Time

Election of 1952• Franklin Pierce (Dem)

Platform: Territorial Expansion and endorsed the Compromise of 1850.

• Winfield Scott (Whig) Platform: Praised the Compromise of 1850, not

as much as Democrats Problem: Whigs are split (N love Scott but hate

Compromise (FSL) S love Compromise but hate Scott)• John Hale (Free-Soil)

He steals votes from the Northern Whigs who hate compromise.

Result of 1852 Election• Pierce wins in landslide

Marks the beginning of the end for the Whig party = Rise of sectional political parties.

Whig Contributions: Upheld the Union ideals Great leaders (Clay/Webster)

With all the territorial expansion Transportation becomes a huge issue.

• WHY? We see our need for transportation during Mexican

War Sea routes are to long Land transportation is necessary or new Western

prizes (California, Oregon, etc) could break away.

TRANSCONTINENTIAL RAILROAD IS THE ANSWER

RAILROAD = Money and Power• Due to this there is a battle over who will

get the main terminal (North or South)• South has a plan…

Try to negotiate with Mexico to buy land just South of border which seems perfect for railroad.

Gadsden Purchase 1853: (Opposed by N) James Gadsden $10 Million Approved by Senate despite opposition from N

(Manifest Destiny)

Southern Claims for Railroad look better…• Gadsden Purchase Territory• There are not many mountains• Would not go through unorganized territory

Northern Land would have to go through unorganized Nebraska

North wanted Railroad, especially Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois)• Proposes the Kansas-Nebraska Act

TERMS: Territory of Nebraska would be split into two (Kansas

and Nebraska) Popular Sovereignty would settle the issue of slavery in

the new territories Kansas would probably be a slave state Nebraska would probably be a free state PROBLEM: Contradicted the Missouri Compromise (36*30’ Line)

Consequences of the Kansas-Nebraska Act

1. Repealed the Missouri Compromise, heightening the sectional tensions

2. Permitted the expansion of slavery beyond Southern states.

3. Led to a decisive debate over the expansion of slavery in these areas (Lincoln-Douglas Debates)

4. Ignited a bloody contest over the territory of Kansas

5. Split the Democratic Party6. Sparked the formation of the Republican Party

THIS WILL IN EFFECT LEGISLATE A CIVIL WAR!

• WE NOW HAVE A DREADED SECTIONAL DIVISION!

Mr. LongAP US History

• The main issue pushing the nation towards disunion is the extension slavery and the political balance.

• Peaceful solution seemed very unlikely as tempers became hostile EX: Kansas territory, Dred Scott decision and John

Brown.

Video

Two literary works helped fuel the flames of discontent between North and South

• Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beacher Stowe Awakened the North to wickedness of slavery Hit worldwide audience (would hurt South in future) RESULT: North now really does not want to enforce

Fugitive Slave Laws, Impression on youth who would fight in war.

• The Impending Crisis of the South by Hinton R. Helper. Fueled the fear of the elite planters that non-slave holding

majority might abandon them in sectional cause.

Kansas’ slavery issue is to be settle by popular sovereignty (Compromise of 1850)• Both abolitionists and pro-slavery groups

want the territory. NE Emigrant Aid Company- group financed by

northern abolitionists to settle Kansas. (Keep slavery out/profit)

South tried this but bullets and volatile slaves are not a good combo (death/revolt)

South claims betrayal (Compromise 1850)• They supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act

based on thought that Kansas would be slave state. Unspoken understanding.

In 1855 TWO governments are formed• “Border Ruffians” pour into Kansas from

Missouri to vote for territorial legislature. (pro-slavery)

• Free-soilers form their own government in Topeka, claiming fraud by border hoppers.

• One gov based on fraud (pro-slavery) another illegal (abolitionists)

• PURPOSE: This government was to set up constitution for the state so it is very important.

Breaking Point: 1856 Lawrence, Kansas pro-slavery raiders shot up and burned free-soil Lawrence.

“Bleeding Kansas”: civil war in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery parties. • Border Wars• John Brown: In response to Lawrence led a

small band of followers who killed 5 presumably pro-slavery men at Pottawatomie Creek. Sets off civil war in Kansas

In 1857 Kansas applies for statehood on the basis of popular sovereignty. • Solution to slavery…

Lecompton Constitution: Vote on constitution with or without slavery (Scheme

by pro-slavery legislature) Provisions in place if voted without

James Buchanan (under southern control) upholds the Lecompton Constitution.• Opposed by Stephen A. Douglas (Popular

Sovereignty)

Violence in Kansas had poured onto the Senate floor in 1856. Charles Sumner beaten by Preston Brooks (S.C) after he

condemns slavery and insults Andrew Butler (S.C Sen) RESULT:

Sumner’s speech spread to thousands who would have never heard it and more Republicans vote.

Showed how dangerous the dispute of slavery would be!

Dred Scott v Stanford (1857)• Dred Scott, a slave, had lived in Illinois/Wisconsin

for 5 years with his master (free territories). He sues saying due to extended time in free territories he

should be free!

Roger B. Tanney: ruled that he was not a citizen but property so he didn’t have any rights. 5th Amendment: Congress can’t deprive people of their property

w/o due process of the law. Ruled the Missouri Compromise of 1820 unconstitutional. This is a sacred document in the North even though it

was repealed in 1854. Split N & S Democrats (Sectionalism)

Panic of 1857: more psychological then economical panic. • CAUSES:

California gold = inflation Over stimulated grain growth (N) to produce for

Crimean War. Over speculation of lands/railroads

• RESULT: South thought they were more powerful then North

(cotton prices still high) Gives the North two election issues for 1860

Farms for the farmless (push for free land) Higher protective tariff

Lincoln runs for Senate v Stephen A. Douglas

Lincoln-Douglas Debates (Aug-Oct 1858)• Lincoln challenged Douglas to debates

• Freeport Question: If the people in a territory voted slavery down who would prevail the Supreme Court (Fed, Dred Scott) or people? Douglas is huge supporter of popular sovereignty Freeport Doctrine: No matter how courts ruled, if people

voted slavery down it would stay down. Very Democratic answer

RESULSTS of DEBATES:• Lincoln is now in the national spotlight• Democratic party even more split

Southern Democrats hate Douglas b/c of his opposition to Lecompton Constitution and his defiance of the Supreme Court with Freeport Doctrine.

Harper’s Ferry (Oct 1859)• John Brown and 20 followers planned to

invade the south and set up a black free state as a safe haven for slaves. Captures Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA

but slaves fail to rise up and support him.

Captured by US Marines and Robert E. Lee Brown was convicted of murder and treason

Brown knew he was more valuable to the abolitionists cause dead then in insane asylum.

Results of Harper’s Ferry

• South: Pushed them more towards secession b/c they thought the violent abolitionist view was shared by entire north.

• North: the moderates in the N were outraged by the thoughts of the South lumping them in with the radicals.

• Abolitionists: Infuriated by Brown’s execution b/c they thought he was murdered for a righteous cause.

1860 Election = most fateful in American History

Democratic Convention• The Democrats can not decide on a delegate

for the 1860 Election. The convention adjourns twice w/o choosing a

candidate.

THE PARTY IS SPLIT BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH.

Southern Democrats: • John C. Breckenridge • Platform: Extension of slavery in new

territories, Annexation of slave populated Cuba.

Northern Democrats:• Stephen A. Douglas• Platform: Popular Sovereignty solves slavery

issue by state. Constitutional-Union Party:

• John Bell• Platform: Represented Southern interests but

they still wanted Union.

The Democratic Party split almost assures Republicans of victory.

Republicans• Abraham Lincoln (over William Seward)• Platform:

Non-extension of slavery (Free-soilers) Protective Tariff (N Industry/manufacturing) No Abridgment of rights (immigrants) Pacific Railroad (NW, Chicago) Internal Improvements at Federal Gov expense (West) Free Homesteads for public domain (Farmers/poor)

South (secessionalists) threatened to secede if Lincoln elected.

• South begins to raise a militia in southern states bordering free states. Many states are ready for secession

Lincoln wins the election of 1860 (66% of vote went elsewhere)• He wins all 18 Northern states• Not on the ballot in 10 Southern states

• S.C loves this b/c it gives them a reason to secede. Dec 20, 1860 James Buchanan does nothing.

The South is still in good political shape.• 5 to 4 advantage in Supreme Court• Democrats still control House and Senate

• B/C you needed a Constitutional amendment to touch slavery it could not be legally done away with w/o South’s support.

South Carolina starts a chain reaction• Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia,

Louisiana and Texas all secede within 6 weeks.

• Confederate States of America (Feb 1861)

President Jefferson Davis (Miss)

Crisis of secession worse because of Buchanan.• “Lame Duck” president

Lincoln wouldn’t take office until March 1861• He is devoted to Union but surrounded by

pro-slavery advisors• He didn’t think legally South could secede

but found nothing constitutionally which said he could use force/guns to stop them.

• He still had hope of Compromise.

Compromises had begun to be discussed as soon as Lincoln is elected. • Many give south benefits (Lincoln refuses to hear

them)• Crittenden Amendments (best attempt)

Suggested that Congress extend the Missouri Compromise line to California. Slavery protected federally South of that line and in any new

territories. Future states both N and S of Line could join Union as free or

slave (popular sovereignty) MEANT TO APPEASE THE SOUTH! Rejected by Lincoln!

Reasons states left Union (all related to slavery)1. Republican party seemed to threaten rights of slave

holding minority. Underground RR, John Brown, abolitionists, etc.

2. Many thought there secession would be unopposed Though N was dependent on S economically.

3. Southern leaders wanted to not be dependent on North Create own industry/economy, tariff issue

4. Self-Determination They chose to be a part of the Union so they had the right to not be a

part of it (13 separate colonies)

5. Historic Parallels US had seceded from Britain

How did these events lead to sectionalism in the US?• Cotton Gin• Missouri Compromise• Annexation of Texas• Manifest Destiny• Kansas-Nebraska Act• Gold in California• Polk’s Presidency• Underground Railroad• Compromise of 1850• Fugitive Slave Laws• Dred Scott• Lincoln-Douglas Debates• Election of 1860