Chapter 10 Section 4 NotesChapter 10 Section 4 NotesThe System FailsThe System Fails

Main IdeaMain Idea• After the passage of the Kansas-After the passage of the Kansas-

Nebraska Act in 1854, national Nebraska Act in 1854, national attention turned to the Kansas attention turned to the Kansas Territory. Territory.

• Under the new law, voters in the Under the new law, voters in the territory would decide whether territory would decide whether to become a free or slave state. to become a free or slave state.

• Both proslavery and antislavery Both proslavery and antislavery groups organized to try to win a groups organized to try to win a majority of voters in the region.majority of voters in the region.

Violence EruptsViolence Erupts• Antislavery groups in the Antislavery groups in the

Northeast sent 1,200 Northeast sent 1,200 New Englanders to New Englanders to Kansas to fight against Kansas to fight against slavery in 1854.slavery in 1854.

• These “free-soilers” These “free-soilers” worked to end slavery in worked to end slavery in the territories.the territories.

• Proslavery settlers in Proslavery settlers in Missouri organized secret Missouri organized secret societies to oppose the societies to oppose the free soilers. free soilers.

• Many proslavery settlers Many proslavery settlers crossed into Kansas to crossed into Kansas to vote illegally in territorial vote illegally in territorial elections. elections.

• By 1855, Kansas had two By 1855, Kansas had two capitals: an antislavery capitals: an antislavery capital at Topeka and a capital at Topeka and a proslavery capital at proslavery capital at Lecompton.Lecompton.

Violence Erupts-Bleeding KansasViolence Erupts-Bleeding Kansas• 1856, tensions in 1856, tensions in

Kansas escalated into Kansas escalated into open violence. open violence.

• The clashes began on The clashes began on May 21, when a group May 21, when a group of Southerners looted of Southerners looted newspaper offices and newspaper offices and homes in Lawrence, homes in Lawrence, Kansas, a center of Kansas, a center of free-soiler activityfree-soiler activity

• The action of the The action of the proslavery looters proslavery looters stirred a swift response stirred a swift response from Connecticut-born from Connecticut-born John Brown, who John Brown, who believed that he was believed that he was God's chosen God's chosen instrument to end instrument to end slavery. slavery.

The Sack of Lawrence, KansasThe Sack of Lawrence, Kansas

• • Both sides claimed Both sides claimed victory on the vote!victory on the vote!

““Bleeding Kansas”Bleeding Kansas”Before the vote on Before the vote on slavery:slavery:

• • Northerners crossed Northerners crossed the border to keep KS a the border to keep KS a free state.free state.

• • Southerners crossed the Southerners crossed the border to make KS a border to make KS a slave state.slave state.

Bleeding Kansas-John BrownBleeding Kansas-John Brown• On the night of May 24, Brown On the night of May 24, Brown

led several New Englanders to a led several New Englanders to a proslavery settlement near proslavery settlement near Pottawatomie Creek. Pottawatomie Creek.

• Brown and his men took five men Brown and his men took five men from their beds, dragged them from their beds, dragged them from their homes, and killed from their homes, and killed them in front of their families.them in front of their families.

• The looting in Lawrence and The looting in Lawrence and Brown's brutal response at Brown's brutal response at Pottawatomie sparked a summer Pottawatomie sparked a summer of murderous raids and of murderous raids and counterraids throughout Kansas. counterraids throughout Kansas.

• The violence won the territory The violence won the territory the grim label of “Bleeding the grim label of “Bleeding Kansas.”Kansas.”

* In 1856, an abolitionist named John Brown murdered * In 1856, an abolitionist named John Brown murdered five proslavery men.five proslavery men.

* Over 200 people died in the fighting that followed.* Over 200 people died in the fighting that followed.

The abolitionist John Brown lived in Osawatomie, Kansas Territory. Brown and his sons were responsible for the brutal murder of several proslavery men near Pottawatomie, Kansas.  The men were called out of their homes at night and hacked to death with swords. This was just one of many incidents that earned Kansas Territory the name of "Bleeding Kansas.”

The Struggle for KansasThe Struggle for KansasThe Sack of The Sack of

LawrenceLawrence• The town of Lawrence The town of Lawrence

had become a center of had become a center of antislavery activity. antislavery activity.

• Although a New Although a New Hampshire Democrat, Hampshire Democrat, President Franklin Pierce President Franklin Pierce seemed to be under the seemed to be under the influence of pro-slavery influence of pro-slavery elements in Congress.elements in Congress.

• Pierce condemned the Pierce condemned the free-soil government in free-soil government in Kansas as rebels, Kansas as rebels, prompting pro-slavery prompting pro-slavery Kansas officials to Kansas officials to charge free-soil leaders charge free-soil leaders with treason.with treason.

• A pro-slavery posse rode A pro-slavery posse rode into Lawrence to arrest into Lawrence to arrest these leaders, looting these leaders, looting and destroying much of and destroying much of the town. the town.

Pottawatomie Pottawatomie MassacreMassacre

• John Brown was a John Brown was a committed abolitionist committed abolitionist who went to Kansas, who went to Kansas, settling in a free-soil settling in a free-soil town there.town there.

• He appointed himself a He appointed himself a captain of the local captain of the local antislavery militia.antislavery militia.

• Outraged by what Outraged by what happened at Lawrence, happened at Lawrence, Brown sought bloody Brown sought bloody revenge.revenge.

• He and a small group of He and a small group of followers dragged five followers dragged five pro-slavery settlers out pro-slavery settlers out of their cabins and of their cabins and executed them. This act executed them. This act became known as the became known as the Pottawatomie MassacrePottawatomie Massacre.

The Struggle for KansasThe Struggle for Kansas

• LawlessnessLawlessness– Many acts of slavery-related lawlessness Many acts of slavery-related lawlessness

plagued Kansas Territory. By 1856 the territory plagued Kansas Territory. By 1856 the territory was being called “was being called “Bleeding KansasBleeding Kansas.” .”

– Kansas was a mighty stake in the slavery Kansas was a mighty stake in the slavery debate, and pro-slavery and free-soil forces debate, and pro-slavery and free-soil forces soon were fighting for control. soon were fighting for control.

• Control of electionsControl of elections – Each side tried to control the territory’s Each side tried to control the territory’s

elections and, later, a vote on a state elections and, later, a vote on a state constitution. constitution.

– Emigrant groups from both sides flooded into Emigrant groups from both sides flooded into the territory in an effort to establish or prevent the territory in an effort to establish or prevent slavery. slavery.

The Struggle for KansasThe Struggle for Kansas

Voter fraud occurred in the November 1854 Voter fraud occurred in the November 1854 election to choose the territory’s delegate to election to choose the territory’s delegate to Congress, and in the March 1855 elections for Congress, and in the March 1855 elections for a territorial legislature. a territorial legislature.

Popular Popular sovereigntysovereignty

Settlement of the slavery issue by popular Settlement of the slavery issue by popular sovereignty did not require settlers to vote sovereignty did not require settlers to vote on whether to allow it. Instead, the question on whether to allow it. Instead, the question was settled indirectly, electing a territorial was settled indirectly, electing a territorial legislature that would then pass laws on the legislature that would then pass laws on the subject. subject.

First First electionselections

When the legislature met, it quickly passed a When the legislature met, it quickly passed a strict slave code into law. Free-soilers strict slave code into law. Free-soilers refused to accept the new legislature, refused to accept the new legislature, electing an antislavery governor and electing an antislavery governor and legislature of their own. By 1856, there were legislature of their own. By 1856, there were two governments claiming to be the legal two governments claiming to be the legal government of Kansas.government of Kansas.

Two Two governmentsgovernments

In May 1858, proslavery settlers executed a group of their free state neighbors along the Marais de Cygne river in southeastern Kansas Territory. 

“Bleeding Kansas” Video

(4:02)

Marais de Cygne Massacre

Bleeding SumnerBleeding Sumner• Senator Charles Senator Charles

Sumner of Sumner of Massachusetts had Massachusetts had given a fiery speech given a fiery speech later titled “The later titled “The Crime Against Crime Against Kansas.” Kansas.”

• Sumner, a Sumner, a Republican and one Republican and one of the most powerful of the most powerful antislavery voices in antislavery voices in Congress attacked Congress attacked Southerners for Southerners for forcing slavery on forcing slavery on the territory. the territory.

• He made bold insults He made bold insults against Senator against Senator Andrew Butler of Andrew Butler of South CarolinaSouth Carolina.

Bleeding Sumner cont.Bleeding Sumner cont.• Preston Brooks, who was a member of the House of Preston Brooks, who was a member of the House of

Representatives and Butler's nephew, was angered by Representatives and Butler's nephew, was angered by Sumner's remarks and wanted to defend the honor of Sumner's remarks and wanted to defend the honor of the South. the South.

• Two days after Sumner's speech, Brooks approached Two days after Sumner's speech, Brooks approached Sumner at his Senate desk and beat him with his caneSumner at his Senate desk and beat him with his cane

• Sumner was badly injured by the attack and never Sumner was badly injured by the attack and never returned to full health.returned to full health.

• Brooks resigned but was easily reelected Brooks resigned but was easily reelected • People across the South voiced their support for People across the South voiced their support for

Brooks. Brooks. • One Southerner sent him a cane inscribed with the One Southerner sent him a cane inscribed with the

words “Hit him again.” words “Hit him again.” • Northerners were outraged by Brooks's action and the Northerners were outraged by Brooks's action and the

support he received. support he received.

The Struggle for KansasThe Struggle for Kansas

““Bleeding Bleeding Kansas”Kansas”

A civil war broke out in Kansas. Large bands A civil war broke out in Kansas. Large bands of pro-slavery and antislavery forces roamed of pro-slavery and antislavery forces roamed the territory. Most settlers on both sides had the territory. Most settlers on both sides had property looted or destroyed. Although property looted or destroyed. Although federal troops brought the major fighting to federal troops brought the major fighting to an end in September, a guerrilla war of an end in September, a guerrilla war of sabotage, ambushes, and other surprise sabotage, ambushes, and other surprise attacks continued.attacks continued.

Violence over Kansas spread to Congress. Violence over Kansas spread to Congress. Sumner of Massachusetts delivered an angry Sumner of Massachusetts delivered an angry two-day speech, directing vicious remarks at two-day speech, directing vicious remarks at Andrew Butler of South Carolina, who played Andrew Butler of South Carolina, who played a key role in passing the Kansas-Nebraska a key role in passing the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Two days later, Representative Preston Act. Two days later, Representative Preston Brooks, Butler’s nephew, attacked Sumner, Brooks, Butler’s nephew, attacked Sumner, beating him with a heavy walking stick until beating him with a heavy walking stick until Sumner collapsed. Northerners were Sumner collapsed. Northerners were incensed by the brutal attack.incensed by the brutal attack.

““The Crime The Crime against against

Kansas” Kansas”

The Election of 1856The Election of 1856• Democrats Democrats

nominated nominated James Buchanan James Buchanan for President. for President.

• The Republicans The Republicans chose John C. chose John C. Frémont, a Frémont, a Mexican War Mexican War hero with no hero with no experience in experience in politics.politics.

• The American The American Party, or Know-Party, or Know-Nothings, Nothings, nominated nominated former former President President Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore

Republican John C Republican John C Fremont Campaign Fremont Campaign

PosterPoster

Democrat JamesDemocrat JamesBuchanan CampaignBuchanan Campaign

PosterPoster

The Election of 1856The Election of 1856

• the Democrats supported the the Democrats supported the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Nebraska Act.

• In opposition, the Republicans said In opposition, the Republicans said the federal government had the right the federal government had the right to restrict slavery in the territories to restrict slavery in the territories and called for the admission of and called for the admission of Kansas as a free state.Kansas as a free state.

Election of 1856Election of 1856

The Election of 1856The Election of 1856

• Buchanan wins-takes the southern states and a Buchanan wins-takes the southern states and a few northern statesfew northern states

• Buchanan said that the slavery issue was now Buchanan said that the slavery issue was now “approaching its end.” “approaching its end.”

• He expressed his hope that the Supreme Court He expressed his hope that the Supreme Court would resolve the slavery issue for good. would resolve the slavery issue for good.

• Two days after Buchanan's inauguration, the Two days after Buchanan's inauguration, the Supreme Court did just the opposite. Supreme Court did just the opposite.

• It announced a decision that would outrage It announced a decision that would outrage Northerners even more and further divide the Northerners even more and further divide the country over the issue of slavery.country over the issue of slavery.

The Dred Scott DecisionThe Dred Scott Decision

• In March 1857, the Supreme In March 1857, the Supreme Court handed down one of the Court handed down one of the most controversial decisions in most controversial decisions in its history, Dred Scott v. its history, Dred Scott v. Sandford.Sandford.

Dred Scott DecisionDred Scott Decision - FACTS: - FACTS:

• • Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri. (MO)Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri. (MO)

Dred Scott

Dred Scott DecisionDred Scott Decision - FACTS: - FACTS:

• • Scott and his owner moved to Wisconsin for four years.Scott and his owner moved to Wisconsin for four years.

Dred Scott

Dred Scott DecisionDred Scott Decision - FACTS: - FACTS:

• • Scott’s owner died after returning to Missouri.Scott’s owner died after returning to Missouri.

Dred Scott

Dred Scott DecisionDred Scott Decision - FACTS: - FACTS:* Scott sued for his freedom. He claimed that he should be a * Scott sued for his freedom. He claimed that he should be a free man since he lived in a free territory (WI) for four years.free man since he lived in a free territory (WI) for four years.

Dred Scott

A:A: NONO

SUPREME COURT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS:DECISIONS:

Q:Q: Was Scott a U.S. Was Scott a U.S. citizen with the right to citizen with the right to sue?sue?

A:A: NONO

Q:Q: Did living in a free Did living in a free territory make Scott a territory make Scott a free man?free man?

A:A: NONO

Q:Q: Did Congress have Did Congress have the right to outlaw slavery the right to outlaw slavery in any territory?in any territory?

• • The Missouri Compromise was found to be The Missouri Compromise was found to be unconstitutional.unconstitutional.

RESULTS:RESULTS:• • Dred Scott was not given his freedom.Dred Scott was not given his freedom.

Open to Open to slavery slavery through through popular popular sovereignty sovereignty (Compromise (Compromise of 1850)of 1850)

Open to Open to slavery slavery through through popular popular sovereignty sovereignty (KS-NE Act)(KS-NE Act)

Missouri Compromise line is declared Missouri Compromise line is declared unconstitutional (Dred Scott Decision)unconstitutional (Dred Scott Decision)

The Dred Scott DecisionThe Dred Scott Decision• the Court found that the Missouri Compromise the Court found that the Missouri Compromise

was unconstitutional. was unconstitutional. • Slaves were the property of their owners, and Slaves were the property of their owners, and

Congress could not deprive people of their Congress could not deprive people of their property without due process of law according to property without due process of law according to the Fifth Amendment.the Fifth Amendment.

• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was Roger The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was Roger Taney-a former slave-owner.Taney-a former slave-owner.

• Taney was the one who made this decisionTaney was the one who made this decision• Antislavery forces were disgusted with the Antislavery forces were disgusted with the Dred Dred

ScottScott decision. decision. • It meant that Congress had no power to ban It meant that Congress had no power to ban

slavery anywhere, including the territories. slavery anywhere, including the territories.

The Dred Scott DecisionThe Dred Scott Decision

• The Democrats were split on this The Democrats were split on this issue.issue.

• The Democrats would split into 2 The Democrats would split into 2 parties-Northern Democrats and parties-Northern Democrats and Southern DemocratsSouthern Democrats

• The Republicans were outraged The Republicans were outraged by this decision.by this decision.

The LeCompton ConstitutionThe LeCompton Constitution• Kansas had to write a Kansas had to write a

state constitution to state constitution to become a state.become a state.

• In 1857 a small proslavery In 1857 a small proslavery group in Kansas elected group in Kansas elected members to a convention members to a convention to write the constitution to write the constitution

• It was a pro-slavery It was a pro-slavery constitution.constitution.

• Most people in Kansas Most people in Kansas were against slavery.were against slavery.

• They refused to vote for it.They refused to vote for it.

The LeCompton ConstitutionThe LeCompton Constitution• Yet President Buchanan, hoping that the problem of Yet President Buchanan, hoping that the problem of

slavery in Kansas would end once the territory slavery in Kansas would end once the territory became a state, endorsed the Lecompton constitutionbecame a state, endorsed the Lecompton constitution

• Buchanan was a Democrat who made his party very Buchanan was a Democrat who made his party very angry angry

• Democratic leader Stephen Douglas spoke sharply Democratic leader Stephen Douglas spoke sharply against the Lecompton constitution and criticized against the Lecompton constitution and criticized Buchanan for accepting it. Buchanan for accepting it.

• Congress returned the constitution to Kansas for Congress returned the constitution to Kansas for another vote, and the people soundly defeated it in another vote, and the people soundly defeated it in August 1858August 1858

• In 1859, a new constitution was drafted (anti-slavery) In 1859, a new constitution was drafted (anti-slavery) • It was approved by the people and Kansas entered It was approved by the people and Kansas entered

the Union as a free state in January 1861the Union as a free state in January 1861

The Lincoln-Douglas DebatesThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates• Stephen Douglas faced a Stephen Douglas faced a

difficult reelection campaign in difficult reelection campaign in Illinois in 1858, where views on Illinois in 1858, where views on slavery were sharply divided.slavery were sharply divided.

• A short, stout man, Douglas A short, stout man, Douglas was known as “the Little was known as “the Little Giant.” Giant.”

• Like many white Americans in Like many white Americans in the 1850s, he believed that the 1850s, he believed that white Americans were superior white Americans were superior to African Americans. to African Americans.

• He tolerated slavery, because He tolerated slavery, because he believed in the absolute he believed in the absolute right of white citizens to right of white citizens to choose the kind of society and choose the kind of society and government they wanted.government they wanted.

The Lincoln-Douglas DebatesThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates

• Douglas’s challenger was a young lawyer from Douglas’s challenger was a young lawyer from Springfield named Abraham Lincoln.Springfield named Abraham Lincoln.

• Known for his strength of character, Lincoln won Known for his strength of character, Lincoln won further recognition for his skillful performance in further recognition for his skillful performance in the debates against Douglas.the debates against Douglas.

• The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of 7 The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of 7 debates in Illinois on the issue of slavery in the debates in Illinois on the issue of slavery in the

territoriesterritories. .

The Lincoln-Douglas The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois (Illinois Senate)Senate)

Debates, 1858 Debates, 1858

The Lincoln-Douglas The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois (Illinois Senate)Senate)

Debates, 1858 Debates, 1858

A House divided against itself, cannot stand.

A House divided against itself, cannot stand.

Lincoln – Douglas Lincoln – Douglas DebatesDebates

In 1858, Abraham In 1858, Abraham Lincoln challenged Lincoln challenged incumbent Stephen incumbent Stephen Douglas for his seat in Douglas for his seat in the Senate.the Senate.

((IncumbentIncumbent – the – the holder of an office or holder of an office or position)position)

Abraham Lincoln (left) and Stephen Douglas (right)

• • Douglas believed that Douglas believed that each territory should be each territory should be able to decide on its’ able to decide on its’ own whether or not to own whether or not to allow slavery by using allow slavery by using popular sovereignty.popular sovereignty.

Lincoln – Douglas Lincoln – Douglas DebatesDebates

Stephen Douglas:Stephen Douglas:

• • Lincoln was wrong for Lincoln was wrong for wanting to end slavery.wanting to end slavery.

• • If Lincoln tried to end If Lincoln tried to end slavery, the U.S. could slavery, the U.S. could face a civil war.face a civil war.

• • Lincoln believed that African Lincoln believed that African Americans were guaranteed “life, Americans were guaranteed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, as stated in the happiness”, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.

• • Lincoln believed that slavery Lincoln believed that slavery was evil and should be kept out of was evil and should be kept out of the territories.the territories.

Lincoln – Douglas DebatesLincoln – Douglas Debates

Abraham Lincoln:Abraham Lincoln:

The Lincoln-Douglas DebatesThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates• The debates highlighted two important The debates highlighted two important

principles in American government, principles in American government, majority rule and minority rights. majority rule and minority rights.

• Douglas supported popular sovereignty. Douglas supported popular sovereignty. • He believed that the majority of people in He believed that the majority of people in

a state or territory could rule as they a state or territory could rule as they wished, including making slavery legal. wished, including making slavery legal.

• Lincoln, on the other hand, did not believe Lincoln, on the other hand, did not believe that a majority should have the power to that a majority should have the power to deny a minority their rights to life, liberty, deny a minority their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.and the pursuit of happiness.

Illinois Illinois in 1858, in 1858, showing showing state state senate senate districts districts (left) (left) and and house house districts districts (right)(right)

• • However, Lincoln became well known throughout However, Lincoln became well known throughout the nation.the nation.

Lincoln – Douglas DebatesLincoln – Douglas Debates

Results:Results:

• • Douglas won the election by a slim margin.Douglas won the election by a slim margin.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Video (2:13)

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid• Three years after his Three years after his

raid at Pottawatomie raid at Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas, John Creek in Kansas, John Brown attacked the Brown attacked the federal arsenal at federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

• With him were 21 men, With him were 21 men, 5 African Americans. 5 African Americans.

• Brown and his Brown and his followers hoped to followers hoped to seize the weapons from seize the weapons from the arsenal and give the arsenal and give them to slaves so that them to slaves so that they could rebel. they could rebel.

John Brown’s Raid:

• In 1859, John Brown and his followers seized a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

(above) Interior view of the engine house at Harpers Ferry during the siege.

View photos of eight members of Brown’s raiding party.

(left) John Brown in August, 1859.

John Brown painting at Harper's Ferry

Engine house at Harpers Ferry.

Marines storm the engine house.

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid

• Alerted to the attack, United States Alerted to the attack, United States army under the command of Colonel army under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee surrounded the Robert E. Lee surrounded the arsenal. arsenal.

• The troops killed half of Brown's The troops killed half of Brown's men, including two of his sons, men, including two of his sons, before the rest surrendered. before the rest surrendered.

• Convicted of treason, John Brown Convicted of treason, John Brown was sentenced to be hanged.was sentenced to be hanged.

(above) The hanging of John Brown. (below) Brown's grave in North Elba, New York

Last Moments of John Brown (painting by Thomas Hovenden)

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid

• Brown accepted his death sentence. Brown accepted his death sentence. • A devout Christian, he believed he was A devout Christian, he believed he was

following the example of Jesus by following the example of Jesus by giving up his life for the good of his giving up his life for the good of his cause. cause.

• Northerners hailed Brown as a hero.Northerners hailed Brown as a hero.• Northern Churches led their Northern Churches led their

congregations in solemn prayer the congregations in solemn prayer the day Brown was hanged. day Brown was hanged.

"Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say, let it be done." --John Brown, statement at his sentencing on Nov. 2, 1859

"[John Brown is] that new saint, than whom none purer or more brave was ever led by love of men into conflict and death,--the new saint awaiting his martyrdom, and who, if he shall suffer, will make the gallows glorious like the cross."--Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his lecture "Courage," delivered in Boston on Nov. 8, 1859

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid• Northern sympathy for John Brown Northern sympathy for John Brown

outraged Southerners. outraged Southerners. • In the eyes of many Southerners, Brown In the eyes of many Southerners, Brown

was a criminal who had tried to launch a was a criminal who had tried to launch a rebellion aimed at their very lives. rebellion aimed at their very lives.

• Brown's raid only deepened the anger Brown's raid only deepened the anger between the North and the Southbetween the North and the South