Slavery, States’ Rights and Western Expansion

Chapter 10 Section 1

Slavery Divides the Nation

    North developed industrially South remained agrarian – based on cotton crop Should slavery be allowed to spread to new American territories west of the Mississippi River?

Wilmot Proviso

Northern Views of Slavery

   Laws in northern states strictly limited blacks rights Not everyone in north wanted to end slavery Business owners and low-paid workers

Southern Views of Slavery

   Felt slavery was what God intended By 1850s – many southerners (politicians, journalists) argued that northern free labor system harmed society more than slavery did Claimed enslaved people were happier and healthier than northern wage workers

The Election of 1848

    Free-Soil Party – Martin Van Buren Whigs – Zachary Taylor (hero from Mexican-American War) Democrats – Governor Lewis Cass of Michigan Taylor won the election by slim majority

California Statehood Threatens the Balance of Power       “Gold fever” California became a wild and lawless place 1849 – drafted a constitution and applied for statehood – nonslave Created uproar in the nation Texas, New Mexico and Utah also debating the slave issue South wanted enforcement of Fugitive Slave Law of 1793

Clay offers a Compromise 1850

     1) Congress would admit California as a free state 2) The people of the territories of New Mexico and Utah would decide slavery by popular sovereignty 3) Slave trade would end in Washington, D.C.

4) Congress would pass a strict new fugitive slave law 5) Texas would give up its claim to New Mexico in exchange for $10 million

Calhoun and Webster Speak

   Calhoun – Thought Clay’s proposal did not give the South enough protection  If North would not submit to demands – South would secede from Union Webster – urged people to support Clay’s plan Compromise of 1850 – finally passed  Included new Fugitive Slave Act

Chapter 10 Section 2

A Rising Tide of Protest and Violence

A Rising Tide of Protest and Violence    Fugitive Slave Act deeply angered northerners Some northern states passed personal liberty laws – nullified the Fugitive Slave Act and allowed the state to arrest slave catchers for kidnapping Slaves, fugitives and free black people plotted out resistance

Underground Railroad to Freedom    Loosely organized network Used railroad terminology, used complex signals and hiding places One of most courageous was Harriet Tubman

Stowe Condemns Slavery

  1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe – Cabin Uncle Tom’s Novel spread compassion in the North for enslaved people / infuriated the South

The Kansas-Nebraska Act Undoes the Missouri Compromise      Senator Douglas introduces bill to set up govt in Nebraska in 1854 Proposed using popular sovereignty Because South was fearful of NE entering as a free state, Douglas amended the bill to split NE Assumed that Kansas – slave, Nebraska – free Assumptions not part of the bill

  Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 Basically nullified the Missouri Compromise by allowing slavery to spread to areas that had been free for more than 30 years

A Battle Rages in “Bleeding Kansas”       Strong competition to settle territory By 1856 – Kansas now had two governments petitioning for statehood May 12, 1856 – Border Ruffians raided Lawrence, Kansas Retaliation came from John Brown – midnight execution of five proslavery settlers East was stunned at violence Both sides armed for battle

    “Bleeding Kansas” – popular sovereignty not a solution Took years to get Kansas admitted as a state Became a free state in 1861 Violence also broke out in Senate

Chapter 10 Section 3

Political Realignment Deepens the Crisis

Whig Party Disintegrates

   Whigs lost power when two most prominent members (Clay and Webster) died Lost power to the Democrats 1852 election – Franklin Pierce

Know-Nothings Attract Support

   Growing immigrant population – Catholic Anti-immigrant movement – “Know-Nothings” Formed the American Party in 1855 – divided over issue of slavery

The Republican Party is Born

  New Republican Party in 1854 Opposition to slavery fueled the party

The Election of 1856     Republicans – John C. Fremont Democrats – James Buchanan Know-Nothings – Millard Fillmore Buchanan won the election  Large support from South  John C. Breckinridge (from South) – running mate

The

Dred Scott

Decision Triggers Outrage       Scott – Sued for his freedom Based argument on the fact that owner had taken him to Illinois and Wisconsin Territory – free states Case came to Supreme Court – Roger B. Taney Court ruled against Scott in 1857 Court said Scott could not sue in court Ruled Missouri Compromise unconstitutional

Why It Matters

  Deeply split an already divided nation Constitution

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

     1858 – Abraham Lincoln v. Stephen Douglas Douglas – popular sovereignty Lincoln – attacked popular sovereignty as wrong Series of seven debates Douglas won election by a slim margin

John Brown’s Raid

     Brown saw himself as an angel of God Thought violence was best way to reach his goal Began planning his attack Gathered 21 men – set out to seize the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, VA Effort failed

Brown’s Execution Deepens the Growing Divide    Many northerners thought abolitionists had gone too far Some saw Brown as a martyr Nation continues to be divided

 “the crimes [of slavery] of this guilty land will never be purged away…without very much bloodshed” – John Brown  (Lapansky-Werner 345)