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Chapter 19 DRIFTING TOWARD DISUNION UNCLE TOM’S CABIN Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom's Cabin in 1852 It stirred the North's sense of morality against slavery Second best selling book of the 19th Century (next to the Bible) Fictional book about life as a slave in the South EFFECTS OF THE BOOK Uncle Tom’s Cabin Catalyst to the beginning of the war Stirred abolitionist fervor in the north Kept Britain from officially supporting the South SOUTHERN CRITICISM OF THE BOOK Harriet Beecher Stowe had never even been to the south Her depiction of slavery was touted as inaccurate by the South THE NORTH-SOUTH CONTEST FOR KANSAS Because of popular sovereignty, Kansas became the new slavery battleground the north and south send thousands of new settlers into Kansas to attempt to sway the vote KANSAS’ OUTCOME When the election came pro-Southern people came over from Missouri to Kansas to "vote early and often." The South "won" the election for Kansas to become a slave state set up a government at Shawnee Mission. THE FIGHT FOR KANSAS CONTINUES The “Free-Soilers” said the election was unfair, and set up their own government in Topeka. After the election, there were two state governments: One supported slavery and was based on a corrupted election (Shawnee Mission) one free, but illegitimate (Topeka). VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN KANSAS William Clark Quantrill Pro-slavery shot outlaw up and burnt down free-soil Lawrence, Kansas. BLEEDING KANSAS John Brown sets out for revenge for Lawrence being burned. At Pottawatomie Creek he killed and “chopped up” 5 slavery supporters. Because of the numerous acts of violence between 1854 and 1860, Kansas became known as "Bleeding Kansas." APPLYING FOR STATEHOOD 1856 – Kansas applies for statehood The pro-slavery government wrote up the “Lecompton Constitution” which allowed for slavery in Kansas (Constitutionally). “BULLY” BROOKS AND HIS BLUDGEON Sen. Charles Sumner (northern abolitionist) criticized a South Carolina Senator who was not present to defend himself Preston Brooks, a fellow S.C. Congressman (and nephew), took offense to Sumner's comments. Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner over the head on the floor of the Senate with a walking cane. Sumner was severely injured Proved that even “civilized” Americans were willing to turn violent to resolve conflict over slavery. THE ELECTION OF 1856 James Buchanan (Democrat) Wins the election THE DRED SCOTT BOMBSHELL 1857 Dred Scott (slave) Sues his master for freedom on the grounds that they were living in a free territory (Wisconsin and Illinois) THE DECISION Dred Scott lost. The Supreme Court Rules: 1. 2. Slaves weren‘t citizens, therefore could not sue The Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional Congress had no power to outlaw slavery in federal territories. The people could not decide the status of federal territories. Major victory for the South AN ILLINOIS RAIL-SPLITTER EMERGES The Illinois Senate race of 1858 The Democrats run Sen. Stephen Douglas Republicans run Abraham Lincoln. Douglas was likely the "biggest name" Senator of the day Lincoln was relatively unknown THE GREAT DEBATE: LINCOLN VERSUS DOUGLAS Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates The "Lincoln-Douglas debates" were a series of seven debates spread across Illinois. Lincoln proved that he could stand and argue toe-to-toe with Douglas. THE FREEPORT DEBATE The most noteworthy debate took place at Freeport, IL. Lincoln asked, “Mr. Douglas, if the people of a territory voted slavery down, despite the Supreme Court saying that they could not do so (point #2 of the Dred Scott decision), which side would you support, the people or the Supreme Court?” Douglas (“Mr. Popular Sovereignty”) replied with his “Freeport Doctrine.” …”since ultimate power was held by the people, slavery should be banned if the people indeed voted it down, regardless of how the Supreme Court ruled.” DOUGLAS WINS THE BATTLE, BUT LOSES THE WAR Douglas won the Illinois Senate race over Lincoln. BUT the South turned against Douglas. His bid for president in 1860 was ruined because he lost support in the south due to the Freeport Doctrine. JOHN BROWN: MURDERER OR MARTYR? John Brown re-emerged in Harper's Ferry, Virginia His 1. 2. 3. plan: to take over the federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry pass out weapons to local slaves initiate a huge slave revolt, and thus free the slaves. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED The Result: He and his men took over a building but were quickly holed up by the U.S. Marines, led by Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee. He was captured, tried, convicted, sentenced to death, and hanged. BROWN’S LEGEND Brown's death had a strong impact on the North and South. To the South, justice had been served to a murderer. In the North, many viewed Brown as a martyr. True or not, the martyr image gave strength to the moral cause of abolition. THE 1860 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln Support came from free-soilers (stopping slavery's expansion) manufacturers (a higher tariff) immigrants (civil rights) westerners (a Northwestern railroad) farmers (cheap homesteading land). Lincoln was not an abolitionist, just a free-soiler. he wanted to stop the spread of slavery, but allow it where it currently existed. THE ELECTORAL UPHEAVAL OF 1860 Lincoln got only 40% of the popular vote, yet he won the presidency It was a very sectional race: the North went to Lincoln the South to Breckinridge (Southern Dem) the “middle-ground” went to Bell Missouri went to Douglas (Northern Dem) THE SOUTH STANDS STRONG Despite the presidency The South had a 5-to-4 majority in the Supreme Court. The Republicans didn't control either the House or Senate. THE SECESSIONIST EXODUS During the campaign South Carolina had pledged to secede from the union if Lincoln won. S.C. seceded in December of 1860. The "Deep South" (Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas) followed over the next six weeks Four other Southern states would leave the U.S. later. THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA The seceded states met in Montgomery, AL in February, 1861, and formed the "Confederate States of America". Jefferson Davis was elected as the president of the C.S.A. THE LAME DUCK BUCHANAN President Buchanan's actions (or inactions) during the secession were weak. He did little or nothing to stop the states from leaving the U.S. He is consistently rated as our worst president FAREWELL TO UNION The Southern states seceded because they felt their slave-based way-of-life was being threatened 1. 2. Southerners felt starting a new nation would enable them to mature economically—to grow their own industry, banking, shipping, etc. The South likened their situation to the American colonies of 1776 who broke away from England.