The Crises of the The Crises of the 1850s1850s

Lead up to Civil War 1830-Lead up to Civil War 1830-18601860

The Uneasy TruceThe Uneasy Truce

► For a few years after the Compromise of For a few years after the Compromise of 1850, sectional conflict seemed briefly 1850, sectional conflict seemed briefly forgotten – time of prosperity and growth.forgotten – time of prosperity and growth.

►Divisions between Whigs helped bring a Divisions between Whigs helped bring a victory in the election of 1852 for the victory in the election of 1852 for the Democrats.Democrats.

►Northern opposition to the Fugitive Slave Northern opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act increased.Act increased.

►Many Whigs voted for John P. Hale of the Many Whigs voted for John P. Hale of the Free Soil Party.Free Soil Party.

““Young America”Young America”

► Adherents saw the expansion of American Adherents saw the expansion of American democracy as a way to divert attention away from democracy as a way to divert attention away from slavery issues.slavery issues. Revolutions in Europe in 1848 led them to dream of a Revolutions in Europe in 1848 led them to dream of a

republican Europe.republican Europe. They wanted to extend America’s influence throughout the They wanted to extend America’s influence throughout the

Western Hemisphere.Western Hemisphere.

► President Franklin Pierce attempted to buy Cuba President Franklin Pierce attempted to buy Cuba from Spain.from Spain. In 1854 his envoys sent him a letter making the case for In 1854 his envoys sent him a letter making the case for

seizing Cuba by force – seizing Cuba by force – The Ostend Manifesto.The Ostend Manifesto. Anti-slavery supporters outraged saying it was a way to Anti-slavery supporters outraged saying it was a way to

expand slavery – reignites sectional crisis.expand slavery – reignites sectional crisis.

Slavery, Railroads and the Slavery, Railroads and the WestWest

► As the expanded westward communication As the expanded westward communication between east and west became critical.between east and west became critical. Increased calls for a transcontinental railroad.Increased calls for a transcontinental railroad. North wanted terminus in Chicago, South favored North wanted terminus in Chicago, South favored

St. Louis or New Orleans.St. Louis or New Orleans. Railroad became part of North/South divide.Railroad became part of North/South divide. Jefferson Davis (Sec. of War), sent James Jefferson Davis (Sec. of War), sent James

Gadsden to buy a strip of land from Mexico – Gadsden to buy a strip of land from Mexico – Gadsden PurchaseGadsden Purchase – so Southern terminus could – so Southern terminus could be built.be built.

Accentuated sectional rivalry.Accentuated sectional rivalry.

The Kansas – Nebraska The Kansas – Nebraska ControversyControversy

►Kansas-Nebraska ActKansas-Nebraska Act Stephan A. Douglas from Illinois wanted Stephan A. Douglas from Illinois wanted

railroad terminus in Chicago.railroad terminus in Chicago.

Railroad would pass through an area that Railroad would pass through an area that was substantially Native-American.was substantially Native-American.

Douglas introduced a bill to organize the Douglas introduced a bill to organize the region into a new territory – Nebraska.region into a new territory – Nebraska.

Kansas –Nebraska Kansas –Nebraska ControversyControversy

Nebraska north of the Missouri Compromise Nebraska north of the Missouri Compromise Line – thus closed to slavery.Line – thus closed to slavery.

Douglas put a provision in the bill said that the Douglas put a provision in the bill said that the territorial legislature would determine status.territorial legislature would determine status.

Southern Democrats demanded more so, Southern Democrats demanded more so, Nebraska split into two – Nebraska and Kansas.Nebraska split into two – Nebraska and Kansas.

Agreed to repeal the Missouri Compromise.Agreed to repeal the Missouri Compromise.

Kansas –Nebraska Kansas –Nebraska ControversyControversy

Kansas was more likely to become a Kansas was more likely to become a slave state.slave state.

May 1854 the Act was passed.May 1854 the Act was passed. Divided and destroyed the Whig party.Divided and destroyed the Whig party. Divided the Northern Democrats.Divided the Northern Democrats. ““Anti-Nebraska Democrats” and “Anti-Anti-Nebraska Democrats” and “Anti-

Nebraska Whigs” created the Nebraska Whigs” created the Republican PartyRepublican Party..

““Bleeding Kansas”Bleeding Kansas”

► Violence followed the passage of the Kansas-Violence followed the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.Nebraska Act. White settlers began to move into Kansas.White settlers began to move into Kansas. Spring of 1855 1,500 legal voters and 6,000 heavily Spring of 1855 1,500 legal voters and 6,000 heavily

armed Missourians elected a pro-slavery legislature.armed Missourians elected a pro-slavery legislature. ““Free-staters” elected their own legislature.Free-staters” elected their own legislature. Pres. Franklin Pierce supported the pro-slavery Pres. Franklin Pierce supported the pro-slavery

legislature.legislature. Pro-slavery Federal Marshall assembled large pose Pro-slavery Federal Marshall assembled large pose

of mostly Missourians to arrest the Free-State of mostly Missourians to arrest the Free-State legislature.legislature.

Sacked Lawrence, Kansas and burned the “Free-Sacked Lawrence, Kansas and burned the “Free-State Governor’s” house.State Governor’s” house.

Retribution followed.Retribution followed.

““Bleeding Kansas”Bleeding Kansas”

► John Brown led the Pottawatomie Massacre John Brown led the Pottawatomie Massacre which killed five pro-slavery settlers.which killed five pro-slavery settlers.

► Led to more civil strife – each side blamed the Led to more civil strife – each side blamed the other.other.

►May 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner of May 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave a speech against Sen. Massachusetts gave a speech against Sen. Butler of South Carolina, a few days later Rep. Butler of South Carolina, a few days later Rep. Preston Brooks the nephew of Butler beat Preston Brooks the nephew of Butler beat Sumner with a cane.Sumner with a cane.

► Both became heroes to their respective regions.Both became heroes to their respective regions.

Free-Soil IdeologyFree-Soil Ideology

► ““Slave-Power Conspiracy.”Slave-Power Conspiracy.” Free-Soil and Free labor – an economic argument Free-Soil and Free labor – an economic argument

not a moral one.not a moral one. Only opportunity for advancement was through Only opportunity for advancement was through

work. If whites were denied that then that was work. If whites were denied that then that was undemocratic.undemocratic.

South anti-thesis to democracy – a closed society South anti-thesis to democracy – a closed society with an entrenched aristocracy.with an entrenched aristocracy.

The South were engaged in a conspiracy to extend The South were engaged in a conspiracy to extend slave system and shut down northern capitalism and slave system and shut down northern capitalism and turn it into the aristocratic system of the south.turn it into the aristocratic system of the south.

Free-soil had to be maintained – became the heart of Free-soil had to be maintained – became the heart of the Republican Party ideology.the Republican Party ideology.

Pro-Slavery ArgumentPro-Slavery Argument

► Slavery good because it served as basis of Slavery good because it served as basis of Southern way of life – better then other ways.Southern way of life – better then other ways.

Slaves enjoyed better conditions than workers in Slaves enjoyed better conditions than workers in industrial north.industrial north.

The only way the two races could live in peace.The only way the two races could live in peace. Southern economy key to the prosperity of the Southern economy key to the prosperity of the

nation.nation. Ideal social order that led to stable, orderly Ideal social order that led to stable, orderly

existence free of conflict between Capital and Labor.existence free of conflict between Capital and Labor. Blacks inherently unfit to look after themselves.Blacks inherently unfit to look after themselves.

Election of 1856Election of 1856

► Democrats chose James Buchanan who had been in Democrats chose James Buchanan who had been in England during “Bleeding Kansas” crisis.England during “Bleeding Kansas” crisis.

► Republicans nominated John C. FrRepublicans nominated John C. Frémont, an émont, an explorer of the West.explorer of the West.

► The Native American, or Know-Nothing Party The Native American, or Know-Nothing Party ((outgrowth of the strong anti-immigrant and outgrowth of the strong anti-immigrant and especially anti-Roman Catholic sentiment that especially anti-Roman Catholic sentiment that started to manifest itself during the 1840s), started to manifest itself during the 1840s), nominated former president Millard Fillmore.nominated former president Millard Fillmore.

► Buchanan won – a timid and indecisive president at Buchanan won – a timid and indecisive president at a critical time in history.a critical time in history.

► Depression hit and Northerners blamed the Depression hit and Northerners blamed the Southern Democratic administration. Moved Southern Democratic administration. Moved support toward the Republicans.support toward the Republicans.

The The Dred ScottDred Scott Decision Decision

► 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court got involved in the 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court got involved in the sectional dispute with its ruling in the case sectional dispute with its ruling in the case Dred Dred Scott v. Sandford [sp]Scott v. Sandford [sp]

► Dred Scott a Missouri slave owned by army surgeon Dred Scott a Missouri slave owned by army surgeon who took him into Illinois and Wisconsin, were who took him into Illinois and Wisconsin, were slavery was outlawed.slavery was outlawed.

► Scott sued his owners widow for his freedom on the Scott sued his owners widow for his freedom on the grounds that his residence in free territory had grounds that his residence in free territory had liberated him from bondage.liberated him from bondage.

► There was a precedent in Missouri law and in 1850 There was a precedent in Missouri law and in 1850 the Circuit Court gave Scott his freedom.the Circuit Court gave Scott his freedom.

► Sanford (widows brother) appealed the ruling Sanford (widows brother) appealed the ruling saying that Scott had no grounds to sue because he saying that Scott had no grounds to sue because he was not a citizen.was not a citizen.

The The Dred ScottDred Scott Decision Decision

► Supreme Court too divided to issue a single Supreme Court too divided to issue a single ruling.ruling.

► CJ Roger Taney wrote one of the majority CJ Roger Taney wrote one of the majority opinions, which rendered the federal opinions, which rendered the federal government powerless to act on the issue:government powerless to act on the issue: Blacks had no claim to citizenship.Blacks had no claim to citizenship. Slaves were property and Fifth Amendment Slaves were property and Fifth Amendment

prohibit Congress from taking property without prohibit Congress from taking property without “due process of law.”“due process of law.”

Consequently, Congress had no authority to pass Consequently, Congress had no authority to pass a law depriving people of their slave property in a law depriving people of their slave property in the territories, the Missouri Compromise, the territories, the Missouri Compromise, therefore, had always been unconstitutional.therefore, had always been unconstitutional.

Dred Scott

Deadlock over KansasDeadlock over Kansas

► Buchanan timidly endorsed Buchanan timidly endorsed Dred ScottDred Scott decision decision and supported Kansas to be admitted to the and supported Kansas to be admitted to the Union as a slave state.Union as a slave state.

► Pro-slavery territorial legislature called a Pro-slavery territorial legislature called a election for delegates to a constitutional election for delegates to a constitutional convention – free-state supporters refused to convention – free-state supporters refused to participate.participate.

► The “Lecompton constitution” legalized slavery The “Lecompton constitution” legalized slavery – did not give voters an opportunity to reject it.– did not give voters an opportunity to reject it.

► Election for a new territorial legislature threw Election for a new territorial legislature threw out pro-slavery delegates. Lecompton out pro-slavery delegates. Lecompton constitution went to the voters who rejected it constitution went to the voters who rejected it (twice).(twice).

The Emergence of LincolnThe Emergence of Lincoln

►Elections of 1858 important. Lincoln ran Elections of 1858 important. Lincoln ran against Stephan A. Douglas in Illinois.against Stephan A. Douglas in Illinois.

►Lincoln, a Congressman, was not a Lincoln, a Congressman, was not a national figure like Douglas.national figure like Douglas.

►Decided to engage Douglas in debates Decided to engage Douglas in debates to increase visibility.to increase visibility.

Lincoln Douglas

Lincoln-Douglas DebatesLincoln-Douglas Debates

► Basic differences on issue of slavery.Basic differences on issue of slavery. Douglas had no moral position on slavery.Douglas had no moral position on slavery. Lincoln argued that if the nation could accept that Lincoln argued that if the nation could accept that

blacks were not entitled to basic human rights, blacks were not entitled to basic human rights, then it could accept that other groups could be then it could accept that other groups could be deprived of rights too.deprived of rights too.

If slavery were extended to western territories If slavery were extended to western territories opportunities for poor white laborers would be lost.opportunities for poor white laborers would be lost.

Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong, but he Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong, but he was not an abolitionist.was not an abolitionist.

Would stop slavery from spreading, but would not Would stop slavery from spreading, but would not stop it where it already was.stop it where it already was.

John Brown’s RaidJohn Brown’s Raid► On October 16th 1859, John Brown, funded by On October 16th 1859, John Brown, funded by

prominent Northern abolitionists, led a raid on the U.S. prominent Northern abolitionists, led a raid on the U.S. arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

► He hoped to inspire a slave uprising, but it didn’t He hoped to inspire a slave uprising, but it didn’t happen.happen.

► He was surrounded in the arsenal by local militia He was surrounded in the arsenal by local militia before the U.S. army showed up commanded by before the U.S. army showed up commanded by Robert E. Lee.Robert E. Lee.

► He was tried and hanged for treason.He was tried and hanged for treason.

► The event convinced Southerners that they could not The event convinced Southerners that they could not live safely in the Union – many erroneously believed live safely in the Union – many erroneously believed that the raid had been supported by the Republicansthat the raid had been supported by the Republicans..

The Election of LincolnThe Election of Lincoln

► Election of 1860Election of 1860 Democrats torn apart by southerners who Democrats torn apart by southerners who

demanded a strong endorsement of slavery, and demanded a strong endorsement of slavery, and westerners who supported popular sovereignty.westerners who supported popular sovereignty.

Party convention endorsed popular sovereignty Party convention endorsed popular sovereignty and delegates from eight southern states walked and delegates from eight southern states walked out.out.

Northern and western delegates endorsed Northern and western delegates endorsed Douglas for president and southern Democrats Douglas for president and southern Democrats endorsed John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky.endorsed John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky.

Lincoln was nominated by the Republican party – Lincoln was nominated by the Republican party – advocated internal improvements, a homestead advocated internal improvements, a homestead bill, no slavery in territories.bill, no slavery in territories.

The Election of LincolnThe Election of Lincoln

► In November Lincoln won the election In November Lincoln won the election with the majority of electoral votes, with the majority of electoral votes, but only 2/5ths of the popular vote.but only 2/5ths of the popular vote.

►Republicans failed to win a majority in Republicans failed to win a majority in Congress.Congress.

►The election of Lincoln started the The election of Lincoln started the process of disunion.process of disunion.

►On December 20On December 20thth, 1860 South , 1860 South Carolina succeeded from the Union.Carolina succeeded from the Union.

QuestionsQuestions

►Explain the Kansas-Nebraska controversy.Explain the Kansas-Nebraska controversy.►What was “Free-Soil” ideology? How did What was “Free-Soil” ideology? How did

Lincoln’s argument in the Lincoln/Douglas Lincoln’s argument in the Lincoln/Douglas debates reflect this ideology.debates reflect this ideology.

►How did the How did the Dred Scott Dred Scott decision affect the decision affect the sectional crisis?sectional crisis?

►Was John Brown a “hero” or a “terrorist” Was John Brown a “hero” or a “terrorist” defend your answer.defend your answer.