The Impending The Impending CrisisCrisis

Events Leading Toward Civil WarEvents Leading Toward Civil War

Mexican WarMexican War Opinions of war’s aftermath Opinions of war’s aftermath

– –

Wilmot Proviso Wilmot Proviso (Aug (Aug 1846) – annex Tex as slave 1846) – annex Tex as slave state but no extension of state but no extension of slavery into any territory slavery into any territory that may be gained from that may be gained from MexicoMexico

Politicized slavery debate: Politicized slavery debate: House adopted; Senate House adopted; Senate refused; Polk tried to refused; Polk tried to suppress but kept coming suppress but kept coming up for a voteup for a vote

3 Positions on Slavery’s 3 Positions on Slavery’s FutureFuture

1. Calhoun: slaves should be 1. Calhoun: slaves should be considered property; property rights considered property; property rights protected by 5protected by 5thth Amend.; Southerners Amend.; Southerners could move anywhere and take slavescould move anywhere and take slaves

2. Polk: extend Missouri Compromise 2. Polk: extend Missouri Compromise lineline

3. Cass: “popular sovereignty” – let 3. Cass: “popular sovereignty” – let people in territory decide status of people in territory decide status of slaveryslavery

Election of 1848Election of 1848

Zachary Taylor (Whig) v. Lewis Cass Zachary Taylor (Whig) v. Lewis Cass (Dem)(Dem)

v. Martin Van Buren (Free Soil)v. Martin Van Buren (Free Soil) Dem’s refused to endorse pop. Dem’s refused to endorse pop.

sovereignty; denied power of Cong to sovereignty; denied power of Cong to interfere w/ slavery & criticized anti-interfere w/ slavery & criticized anti-slavery petitionsslavery petitions

Free Soilers Free Soilers endorsed Wilmot Provisoendorsed Wilmot Proviso

“ “free soil, free speech, free labor, & free free soil, free speech, free labor, & free men”men”

Impact of Free Soil PartyImpact of Free Soil Party Split Demo vote in some areas and Split Demo vote in some areas and

Whig vote in other areasWhig vote in other areas Taylor won election (war hero)Taylor won election (war hero) Significance: slavery becoming Significance: slavery becoming

political issuepolitical issue

Gold Rush (1848)Gold Rush (1848)People from all over the world rush to People from all over the world rush to

CaliforniaCalifornia

Greatest mass migration in Amer. Greatest mass migration in Amer. HistoryHistory

California applies for Statehood in 1849 California applies for Statehood in 1849 – wants admission as free state– wants admission as free state

Taylor’s opinion: protect slavery where Taylor’s opinion: protect slavery where exists but make CA and NM free exists but make CA and NM free statesstates

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850

CA petition touched off great debate – CA petition touched off great debate – esp. in Senateesp. in Senate

Key players: Clay, Calhoun, WebsterKey players: Clay, Calhoun, Webster Divisive issues: Divisive issues: - CA admission as free state- CA admission as free state - controversy over TX boundary- controversy over TX boundary - proposal to abolish slave trade in D.C.- proposal to abolish slave trade in D.C. - S demand for stronger fugitive slave - S demand for stronger fugitive slave

lawslaws

Jan 1850, Clay presented 8 resolutions as Jan 1850, Clay presented 8 resolutions as packagepackage

Emotional debate continued Jan – March Emotional debate continued Jan – March 18501850

Clay presented compromise; Calhoun Clay presented compromise; Calhoun opposed; Webster supported (political risk)opposed; Webster supported (political risk)

By mid-April, 8 proposals bundled into one By mid-April, 8 proposals bundled into one bill bill

Taylor’s support of NM statehood petition Taylor’s support of NM statehood petition caused controversy w/ TX boundariescaused controversy w/ TX boundaries

Taylor died; Fillmore supported CompromiseTaylor died; Fillmore supported Compromise

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850

S. Douglas suggested breaking Compromise S. Douglas suggested breaking Compromise into separate bills; Clay agreed:into separate bills; Clay agreed:1. California admitted as free state1. California admitted as free state2. Popular Sovereignty in NM and Utah2. Popular Sovereignty in NM and Utah3. Texas compensated by fed. gov’t to 3. Texas compensated by fed. gov’t to surrender surrender

controversial boundary claimscontroversial boundary claims4. Slave trade in DC ended (Slavery 4. Slave trade in DC ended (Slavery remains)remains)5. A tougher fugitive slave law5. A tougher fugitive slave law

Key PlayersKey Players

John C. CalhounJohn C. Calhoun

Argues for State’s RightsArgues for State’s Rights

Daniel WebsterDaniel Webster

Agrees with Clay to avoid warAgrees with Clay to avoid war

Stephen DouglasStephen Douglas

Breaks the compromise into pieces Breaks the compromise into pieces and it is eventually passedand it is eventually passed

Reaction to CompromiseReaction to Compromise

Factions found fault with Factions found fault with Compromise almost from beginningCompromise almost from beginning

Anti-slavery forces upset about Anti-slavery forces upset about Fugitive Slave Law; motivated Fugitive Slave Law; motivated Abolitionists & deepened anti-Abolitionists & deepened anti-slavery impulse in Northslavery impulse in North

South found fault w/ failure in South found fault w/ failure in enforcement of Fugitive Slave Lawenforcement of Fugitive Slave Law

Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin1852 by Harriet Beecher 1852 by Harriet Beecher

StoweStoweUsed stereotypes: Simon Legree evil slave Used stereotypes: Simon Legree evil slave

owner; Uncle Tom sympathetic characterowner; Uncle Tom sympathetic character Widely read & discussed; turned into Widely read & discussed; turned into

popular playpopular play Polarized opinions both N & S:Polarized opinions both N & S: - Convinced Northerners slavery would - Convinced Northerners slavery would

ruin nation; won many over to anti-slavery ruin nation; won many over to anti-slavery causecause

- Enraged Southerners; wrote numerous - Enraged Southerners; wrote numerous novels in reply; became defensive novels in reply; became defensive

Election of 1852Election of 1852

Franklin Pierce (D) v. Winfield Scott (W) Franklin Pierce (D) v. Winfield Scott (W) Pierce becomes 14Pierce becomes 14thth President PresidentNorth resist the Fugitive Slave ActNorth resist the Fugitive Slave ActOstend Manifesto Ostend Manifesto - 1854- 1854

Secret plan to take Cuba by forceSecret plan to take Cuba by forceAnti-slavery northerners get upsetAnti-slavery northerners get upset

Gadsden Purchase Gadsden Purchase - 1853- 1853US gets southern part of NM and US gets southern part of NM and

Arizona for $10 Arizona for $10 millionmillion

Kansas Nebraska Act Kansas Nebraska Act (1854)(1854)

Gadsden Purchase reopened sectional Gadsden Purchase reopened sectional rivalriesrivalries

1852-3 Debate over route for 1852-3 Debate over route for transcontinental railroadtranscontinental railroad

Sen. S. Douglas (IL) favored route w/ Sen. S. Douglas (IL) favored route w/ Chicago as E terminus – needed S. supportChicago as E terminus – needed S. support

1854 proposed organizing Kansas & 1854 proposed organizing Kansas & Nebraska Terr. w/ popular sovereignty to Nebraska Terr. w/ popular sovereignty to determine slavery statusdetermine slavery status

In effect, would repeal Mo. CompromiseIn effect, would repeal Mo. Compromise

Significance of Kan-Neb Significance of Kan-Neb ActAct

Bill passed both houses by narrow Bill passed both houses by narrow marginmargin

Effects:Effects:

- pushed moderate politicians to - pushed moderate politicians to extremes on slavery issueextremes on slavery issue

- fragmented Demo party- fragmented Demo party

- led to decline of Whigs and formation - led to decline of Whigs and formation of new party – Rep Partyof new party – Rep Party

- led to bloody civil war in Kansas- led to bloody civil war in Kansas

Birth of Republican Birth of Republican PartyParty

By mid-1850s, slavery splitting nation:By mid-1850s, slavery splitting nation:

- Demo Party dividing into N (anti-slavery) and - Demo Party dividing into N (anti-slavery) and

S (pro slavery) factions but no split until 1860S (pro slavery) factions but no split until 1860

- Whig Party dissolved - Whig Party dissolved 1854 in reaction to K-N Act, N Whigs, indep 1854 in reaction to K-N Act, N Whigs, indep

Dems & Free Soilers formed Republican Party Dems & Free Soilers formed Republican Party Anti-slavery; platform: opposed ext of slavery Anti-slavery; platform: opposed ext of slavery

into new territoriesinto new territories 11stst Pres candidate 1856; 1 Pres candidate 1856; 1stst Pres elected 1860 Pres elected 1860

Bleeding KansasBleeding Kansas

Taken for granted that Neb. would be freeTaken for granted that Neb. would be free

Kansas became battleground over slavery Kansas became battleground over slavery issueissue

1855 Terr. governor called for elections: 1855 Terr. governor called for elections: “border ruffians” from Mo. streamed “border ruffians” from Mo. streamed across border; swayed election in their across border; swayed election in their favorfavor

By 1856 2 gov’ts claimed authority: 1 pro- By 1856 2 gov’ts claimed authority: 1 pro- (Lecompton) and 1 anti-slavery (Topeka)(Lecompton) and 1 anti-slavery (Topeka)

Civil War erupted between factionsCivil War erupted between factions

““Crime Against Kansas”: Crime Against Kansas”: 1856 1856

Title of Charles Sumner’s speech May 19-Title of Charles Sumner’s speech May 19-20; inflammatory criticism of pro-slavery 20; inflammatory criticism of pro-slavery forcesforces

May 21 “Sack of Lawrence” – pro-slavery May 21 “Sack of Lawrence” – pro-slavery settlers raided anti-slavery settlementsettlers raided anti-slavery settlement

May 22 Preston Brooks beat C. Sumner w/ May 22 Preston Brooks beat C. Sumner w/ cane on floor of Senate chambercane on floor of Senate chamber

May 24-25 J. Brown & followers; May 24-25 J. Brown & followers; “Pottawatomie Massacre” (5 pro-slavery “Pottawatomie Massacre” (5 pro-slavery settlers murdered) settlers murdered)

Sumner absent from Senate forSumner absent from Senate for 2 ½ yrs; seat stayed empty2 ½ yrs; seat stayed empty Sumner’s speech & beating Sumner’s speech & beating inflamed both sidesinflamed both sides Series of events set off guerrilla war in Series of events set off guerrilla war in

KansasKansas Congress adjourned 1856 session w/ no Congress adjourned 1856 session w/ no

decision on Kansasdecision on Kansas Became burning issue in Election of Became burning issue in Election of

18561856

Election of 1856Election of 1856 James Buchanan (D) – endorsed Kan-Neb Act;James Buchanan (D) – endorsed Kan-Neb Act; wanted better enforcement of Fugitive Slave wanted better enforcement of Fugitive Slave

law;law; Cong. should not interfere w/ slavery; courted Cong. should not interfere w/ slavery; courted

Irish & German votersIrish & German voters John C. Fremont (R) – opposed ext. of slavery; John C. Fremont (R) – opposed ext. of slavery;

called for admission of Kan. as free state; called for admission of Kan. as free state; condemned repeal of Mo. Comp and condemned repeal of Mo. Comp and expansionist policies of Dem’sexpansionist policies of Dem’s

Amer. (Know Nothing – anti-immigrant, Amer. (Know Nothing – anti-immigrant, started from secret societies) Party – M. started from secret societies) Party – M. FillmoreFillmore

Election Results / Election Results / SignificanceSignificance

Buchanan wonBuchanan won Voting along sectional lines:Voting along sectional lines:

Dem’s won 14 slave, 5 free statesDem’s won 14 slave, 5 free states

Rep’s won 11 free states (not on Rep’s won 11 free states (not on ballot in slave states)ballot in slave states)

Appearance of Rep Party – 1Appearance of Rep Party – 1stst time time major party platform took stand major party platform took stand against slaveryagainst slavery

Dred Scott v. Sanford Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)(1857)

Dred Scott slave – had been taken into free Dred Scott slave – had been taken into free state to live then back to slave state – sued state to live then back to slave state – sued for his freedom in 1843 after master’s for his freedom in 1843 after master’s deathdeath

Taney court ruling:Taney court ruling:

1. slaves not citizens; could not sue in fed 1. slaves not citizens; could not sue in fed courtcourt

2. slaves property; state law cannot 2. slaves property; state law cannot deprive a slaveowner of his propertydeprive a slaveowner of his property

3. Mo. Compromise line unconstitutional3. Mo. Compromise line unconstitutional

Reaction to Dred ScottReaction to Dred Scott Decision basically said Congress could not Decision basically said Congress could not

exclude slavery anywhere – therefore, exclude slavery anywhere – therefore, there could be no such thing as a free statethere could be no such thing as a free state

North & Rep’s enraged; believed North & Rep’s enraged; believed “slavocracy” conspiracy existed (majority “slavocracy” conspiracy existed (majority of justices, including Taney were of justices, including Taney were southerners)southerners)

Southerners celebrated decision; said Southerners celebrated decision; said Congress now obligated to protect Congress now obligated to protect property of slaveholders w/ federal slave property of slaveholders w/ federal slave codescodes

Kansas Again (still)Kansas Again (still)

Continuing effort to get Kansas Continuing effort to get Kansas admitted to unionadmitted to union

Lecompton Constitution (proslavery) Lecompton Constitution (proslavery) approved & supported by Buchanan but approved & supported by Buchanan but ultimately rejected by Kansas votersultimately rejected by Kansas voters

Buchanan’s action further split Dem Buchanan’s action further split Dem PartyParty

Kansas finally admitted as free state in Kansas finally admitted as free state in 18581858

Lincoln-Douglas DebatesLincoln-Douglas Debates Lincoln challenged S. Douglas for Senate Lincoln challenged S. Douglas for Senate

seat from Ill. seat from Ill. Candidates held 7 debates in 1858Candidates held 7 debates in 1858 22ndnd debate Lincoln challenged Douglas’ debate Lincoln challenged Douglas’

popular sovereignty in light of Dred popular sovereignty in light of Dred Scott decision – resulted in Douglas’ Scott decision – resulted in Douglas’ “Freeport Doctrine”“Freeport Doctrine”

Douglas won reelectionDouglas won reelection Lincoln gained nat’l attention as result of Lincoln gained nat’l attention as result of

debates – aided his nomination in 1860debates – aided his nomination in 1860

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid

Radical abolitionist (Pottawatomie Crk)Radical abolitionist (Pottawatomie Crk) Oct. 1859 – Harper’s Ferry, VA (now W Oct. 1859 – Harper’s Ferry, VA (now W

WA)WA) Planned to seize federal arsenal w/ hopes Planned to seize federal arsenal w/ hopes

of starting an armed slave rebellion of starting an armed slave rebellion Shoot-out w/ U.S. forces; captured & Shoot-out w/ U.S. forces; captured &

tried for treason & conspiracy to incite tried for treason & conspiracy to incite insurrectioninsurrection

Executed Dec. 2Executed Dec. 2ndnd

Significance of John Significance of John BrownBrown

Immediate reaction: condemned widely, Immediate reaction: condemned widely, N & S although some in North called him N & S although some in North called him a martyr (Emerson)a martyr (Emerson)

Southerners believed Brown had Southerners believed Brown had widespread support in North – esp. widespread support in North – esp. among Republicans; in aftermath, rumors among Republicans; in aftermath, rumors of abolitionist conspiracies and slave of abolitionist conspiracies and slave insurrections swept thro slave statesinsurrections swept thro slave states

Further alienated South & deepened Further alienated South & deepened divisions, distrust & anger between N. divisions, distrust & anger between N. and S.and S.

Election of 1860Election of 1860

Dems divided over slavery Dems divided over slavery Reps – A. Lincoln – opposed ext. of slaveryReps – A. Lincoln – opposed ext. of slavery S. Dems - J. Breckenridge (KY) – adopted S. Dems - J. Breckenridge (KY) – adopted

pro-slavery platformpro-slavery platform N. Dems - S. Douglas – supported pop sov N. Dems - S. Douglas – supported pop sov

& warned Lincoln’s election would split & warned Lincoln’s election would split nationnation

Const Union – J. Bell – “for Const & Const Union – J. Bell – “for Const & Union”Union”

Election ResultsElection Results

Campaign real contest between Lincoln & Campaign real contest between Lincoln & Douglas in N; Breckinridge & Bell in S.Douglas in N; Breckinridge & Bell in S.

Lincoln won Elect Coll & 39% of pop. Lincoln won Elect Coll & 39% of pop. vote; 18 free states (not on ballot in any vote; 18 free states (not on ballot in any Southern state)Southern state)

Breckinridge – 2Breckinridge – 2ndnd in electoral vote; swept in electoral vote; swept all slave states except VA, KY, TN (went all slave states except VA, KY, TN (went to Bell)to Bell)

Significance: secession of S. states Significance: secession of S. states beganbegan

Confederacy FormsConfederacy Forms By Feb. 1, 1861 – 7 states had seceded – SC (1By Feb. 1, 1861 – 7 states had seceded – SC (1stst), MS, ), MS,

FL, AL, GA, LA, TXFL, AL, GA, LA, TXMet in Montgomery, AL; adopted constitution of Met in Montgomery, AL; adopted constitution of

Confederate States of America (CSA); elected Confederate States of America (CSA); elected Jefferson Davis PresidentJefferson Davis President

Significance: Southern states pledged allegiance Significance: Southern states pledged allegiance to separate gov’t; began seizing federal property, to separate gov’t; began seizing federal property, arsenals & forts; people had to choose sidesarsenals & forts; people had to choose sides

Buchanan’s reaction: secession illegal but he Buchanan’s reaction: secession illegal but he could not stop it; decided to “wait it out” and led could not stop it; decided to “wait it out” and led Lincoln handle the problemLincoln handle the problem

Fed gov’t action would determine fate of nationFed gov’t action would determine fate of nation

Last Chance: Crittenden Last Chance: Crittenden CompromiseCompromise

Dec, 1860 - Proposed by Sen John J. Dec, 1860 - Proposed by Sen John J. CrittendenCrittenden

Series of amendments and Series of amendments and resolutions to reunite nation and resolutions to reunite nation and prevent warprevent war

Peace Conference in Wash, DC in Peace Conference in Wash, DC in Feb endorsed content of Crittenden Feb endorsed content of Crittenden Compromise but failed to gain Compromise but failed to gain support of Congress support of Congress