long term causes of the civil war slavery and western expansion
TRANSCRIPT
Long Term Causes of the Civil War Slavery and Western
Expansion
Impact of War w/Mexico
Heightened sectional tensions Opened new lands to the issue of slavery
CURRENT LAW – MISSOURI COMPROMISE
Southerners wanted new laws to help return runaway slaves
Polk – believed the expansion of slavery a null and void issue – dry climate of southwest not suitable for growing cash crops
Ultimately – he believes slavery will destroy the Democrats & Union
Wilmot Proviso
Originally – Appropriations bill – started in the House --- amendment --- no slavery or involuntary servitude in land acquired through war
Passed in the House – NorthernRejected --- Senate – balancedCalhoun Resolution ---
States own the United StatesFed Had no right to make laws in the
states or territories
Popular Sovereignty
Allowing citizens to decide for themselves the issue of slavery --- idea of Michigan Senator Lewis Cass
Free Soilers – combination of two groups Northern “Conscience” Whigs &
Northern Democrats Whigs divided – “Cotton” vs “Conscience” Democrats Divided – Northern vs Southern
Election of 1848
Cotton Whigs & Southern Dem – nominate Zachary Taylor
Free Soilers – Nominate – Martin Van BurenDemocrats – Lewis Cass
Zachary Taylor wins the Election
California
Slavery brought to the forefront early on in Taylor’s Presidency
1849 – California Gold Rush – 80,000 people went to California – apply for statehood – (popular sovereignty)
1849 – California applied as a Free State
Great Debate (Southern Position)
1. slaveholding states would be a minority in the senate
2. northerners would dominate national politics
3. threat of secession –
** need for Compromise --- Henry Clay
Other Issues dealing w/ slavery in Congress
Texas / NM – border --- extend or stop slaveryDistrict of Columbia – slavery in the nation’s
capitalSlave trade within the US -- regulate or not
Clay’s Compromise
Offered as a package plan Allow Calif – free state/ organize rest of
Mexican cession w/out any restrictions (popular sovereignty)
settles border disputes bt/ Texas & NM – favored NM – gov’t acquired Texas’ debts.
Outlawed slave trade in D.C. – did not outlaw slavery itself
Congress would not interfere in domestic slave trade --- enforce a Stiffer Fugitive Slave Act
Results of Compromise
1. did not pass originally – because it was offered as a package deal Makeup of Congress Changes
Calhoun Dies of TB Taylor who opposed Clay’s Compromise –
suddenly dies VP – Millard Filmore now President
supports Henry Clay Webster – states right activist – Sect. of
State Clay – leaves the Senate
Stephen Douglass – 33 yr old devises a plan – offer each idea individually – attain majority support – pass -Known as Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850
Fugitive Slave Act
1. all fugitives were not entitled to a trial by jury, despite the 6th Amendment –
2. fugitives could not testify on their own behalf 3. A statement by the slaveowner describing the
escapee was all that was needed to have a slave returned
4.Federal commissioners that enforced the law – granted $10 only $5 if they were let free
5. anyone convicted of helping a fugitive – $1,000 fine
6. anyone could be compelled to help capture runaways – deputize on spot
Immediate Causes of the Civil War
VIOLENCE & CRISIS
HarrietBeecherStowe(1811 – 1896)
HarrietBeecherStowe(1811 – 1896)
-- So this is the lady who started the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln
-- So this is the lady who started the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Written by Harrier Beecher Stowe came out (book form) 1852 – sold 300,000 copies Presented African American as – real
people suffering form dreadful circumstances –
It depicted the harshness of the institution of slavery
She was motivated to write this book by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 – part of 1850 Compromise
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
1852
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
1852 Sold 300,000
copies inthe first year.
2 million in a decade!
Sold 300,000 copies inthe first year.
2 million in a decade!
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1852Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1852
Northern Resistance
Frederick Douglass –
Henry David Thoreau
The Underground Railroad – well organized system of freeing slaves – transporting them from the south – north. Conductors
Harriet Tubman Levi Coffin
Sectionalism over the Railroad
Southern Position – if US creates new territories – they should be open to slavery – like the territories acquired by war – if this happens they will agree to railroad beginning in the North
Stephen Douglass – knows that any attempt to repeal compromise – will divide the country
Bleeding Kansas
Situation – Kansas was the first testing/ battling ground for new law “Bleeding Kansas” 1. March 1855 Kansas had enough to hold an
election to establish territorial legislature David Atchinson Lecompton Constitution May 21, 1856 – Sack of Lawrence Pottawatamie Massacre Violence in the Senate – “Caning of Charles Sumner”
“Bleeding Kansas”“Bleeding Kansas”
Border “Ruffians”
(pro-slavery
Missourians)
Border “Ruffians”
(pro-slavery
Missourians)
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854
I. New Political Parties Emerge
By the end of 1856, the nation’s political landscape had drastically changed Whigs – split over slavery
Northern Conscience Whigs Southern Cotton Whigs
Democrats – alive – yet scarred – split over slavery Northern Democrats Southern Democrats
II. Anti –Slavery Parties Form
A. Liberty Party – formed in 1844 – platform to pursue the cause of abolition by passing new laws ( effected the election of 1844 bt Clay & Polk)
Free Soil Party – opposed the extension of slavery into the territories Chose Martin Van Buren in 1848 – failed to win any
of the electoral vote – won 10% of popular vote ** NOT ABOLITIONISTS – objected to ending
slavery on economic grounds – did not want slavery to extend
1852 Presidential Election
1852 Presidential Election
√ Franklin Pierce Gen. Winfield Scott John Parker Hale
Democrat Whig Free Soil
√ Franklin Pierce Gen. Winfield Scott John Parker Hale
Democrat Whig Free Soil
1852Electio
n Results
1852Electio
n Results
John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr?
John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr?
Mural in the Kansas Capitol building
by John Steuart Curry (20c)
Mural in the Kansas Capitol building
by John Steuart Curry (20c)
John Brown’s Raidon Harper’s Ferry, 1859
John Brown’s Raidon Harper’s Ferry, 1859
1859
John Brown had dedicated his life to freeing the slave – leading a rebellion – it was his calling – and he believed the time to be ripe. October 16, 1859 – led a band of men black/
white into Harper’s Ferry, Va. Wanted to seize the Federal Arsenal Distribute arms to slaves No rebellion occurred – slaves were scared 8 of Brown’s men killed Couple of Days later – Col. Robert E. Lee killed 2 more
men and captured Brown and his surviving men Brown was hanged December 2, 1859
“The Crime Against Kansas”
“The Crime Against Kansas”
Sen. Charles Sumner(R-MA)
Sen. Charles Sumner(R-MA)
Congr. Preston Brooks(D-SC)
Congr. Preston Brooks(D-SC)
Slavery & Secession
Lecompton Constitution
A. Fall of 1857 – pro-slavery gov’t at Lecompton – wrote a constitution and applied for admission – (slave state) i. Kansas had 60,000 plus in pop. – however it
was 10 to 1 in favor of freesoliers --- ii. President Buchannon endorsed the Lecompton
Constitution iii. Stephen Douglas – outraged said it was
against the Kansas/ Nebraska Act – allowed for popular sovereignty
Douglas persuaded Congress to authorize another referendum on the Lecompton Constitution --- voters rejected the Constitution – Kansas will enter as a Free State – Douglas a hero
Lincoln/ Douglas Debates
1858 race for Senate in the state of Illinois featured 2 term incumbent Stephen Douglas & former Whig Congressman now Republican Abraham Lincoln.
** to gain recognition Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of 7 open air debates
Douglas
“Little Giant”Stocky and energeticSpoke with his hands, dramatically,
pounding on the podium with fists, pacing dressed in sharp clothes, used impressive language
Beliefs – believed that popular sovereignty was correct method in handling slavery
Stephen
Douglas & the
Freeport Doctrine
Stephen
Douglas & the
Freeport DoctrinePopular
Sovereignty?
PopularSovereignty
?
Lincoln
6’4’’ tall, gangly , wore a stove piped hat, dressed in plain, rumpled clothes, former lawyer, politician, spoke in plain language
Beliefs – believed slavery to be immoral/ “labor system based on greed” he was opposed to the spread of slavery – didn’t expect southerners to give up slavery
2nd Debate – Freeport, Illinois
Freeport Doctrine – L – “Could the settlers of a territory vote to
exclude slavery before that territory became a state?” (Dredd Scott)
D – Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations.”
Douglas will win the Senate, but now some Republicans view Lincoln as an excellent candidate for Presidency.
The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate)Debates, 1858The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate)Debates, 1858
A House divided against itself, cannot stand.
A House divided against itself, cannot stand.
Election of 1860
Northern Democrats – Stephen DouglasSouthern Democrats – John C. BreckenridgeKK and Whigs – John BellRepublicans – Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln won the Election – Sectional Support 1.9 million – 2.8million votes 180 – 123 in the E.C. Never appeared on a ballot in most of the slave states
1860Preside
ntialElection
1860Preside
ntialElection
√ Abraham LincolnRepublican
√ Abraham LincolnRepublican
John BellConstitutional
Union
John BellConstitutional
Union
Stephen A. DouglasNorthern
Democrat
Stephen A. DouglasNorthern
Democrat
John C. Breckinridge
Southern Democrat
John C. Breckinridge
Southern Democrat
Republican Party Platform in 1860
Republican Party Platform in 1860
ß Non-extension of slavery [for the Free-Soilers.
ß Protective tariff [for the No. Industrialists].
ß No abridgment of rights for immigrants [a disappointment for the “Know-Nothings”].
ß Government aid to build a Pacific RR [for the Northwest].
ß Internal improvements [for the West] at federal expense.
ß Free homesteads for the public domain [for farmers].
ß Non-extension of slavery [for the Free-Soilers.
ß Protective tariff [for the No. Industrialists].
ß No abridgment of rights for immigrants [a disappointment for the “Know-Nothings”].
ß Government aid to build a Pacific RR [for the Northwest].
ß Internal improvements [for the West] at federal expense.
ß Free homesteads for the public domain [for farmers].
1860 Election: 3 “Outs” & 1 ”Run!”
1860 Election: 3 “Outs” & 1 ”Run!”
Secession!: SC Dec. 20, 1860Secession!: SC Dec. 20, 1860
1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!
1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!
1860
Election
Results
1860
Election
Results
Crittenden Compromise:A Last Ditch Appeal to
Sanity
Crittenden Compromise:A Last Ditch Appeal to
Sanity
Senator John J. Crittenden
(Know-Nothing-KY)
Senator John J. Crittenden
(Know-Nothing-KY)
Southern Secession
The south had decided that they had lost their voice in national politics – nothing left to do but secede Dec. 20, 1860 SC leads the way
Sherman’s Reaction
Mississippi 2/9/61 & Florida 2/10/61 – Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas
Shaping of Confederacy
Feb. 4, 1861 delegated from secessionist states met in Montgomery Alabama where they formed the CSA – Constitution President – Jefferson Davis VP –Alexander Stephens
Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861
Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861