THE COMING OF THE CIVIL WAR

1. THE COMING OF THE CIVIL WAR 1850: The Decade of Crisis

2. NORTHERN CRITICISMS OF SLAVERY • It violates the principles of the United States & Christian religion (equality of all men) . • Primarily the belief that all humans – slave or free – had the right to choose their own destiny & follow God’s laws. • BUT, most did NOT believe that blacks and whites were equals & did not want blacks to have equal political rights.

3. SOUTHERN DEFENSE OF SLAVERY: • Necessary to provide an adequate labor supply • “Positive Good” since all basic needs of slaves were met • Better than the unemployment, poverty & crime in the North • Religion – slavery existed in Bible • Science – blacks are racially inferior

4. THE CONFLICT OVER SLAVERY CONTINUES … • As a result of the land acquired from the war with Mexico in 1840s • The idea of “Popular Sovereignty” develops: • The voters in a territory decide whether or not slavery will be allowed in that territory

5. Slave Distribution

6. COMPROMISE OF 1850 • California sought admission as a free state – would have upset balance of power in Senate; S threatens secession • Compromise designed by Henry Clay

7. Provisions favoring the North: • California admitted as a free state • Free states outnumber slave states • All future slave TRADING prohibited in Washington, D.C. • Provisions favoring the South: • Slave ownership still allowed in D.C. • Stronger Fugitive Slave Law • Designed to suppress the Underground RR • Slave owners didn’t have to prove ownership to get slaves returned • Slaves had no right to testify in their own behalf • North totally opposed & passed “personal liberty laws” which forbade the capture & return of runaway slaves

8. Provision that could benefit either the North or the South: • Mexican cession would be divided into 2 territories: UT & NM • Slavery would be decided in these 2 territories by popular sovereignty

10. Underground Railroad • Harriet Tubman (“Black Moses”) • Stations, conductors, passengers • Liberated over 300 slaves • Master of disguises, never caught

11. Harriett Beecher Stowe, author 1852 sold 10,000 copies in first week! S criticizes – exaggerated account by woman from ME; not typical story …. N convinced slavery would be ruin of US UNCLE TOM’S CABIN

12. KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT • 1854, introduced by STEPHEN DOUGLAS • ACT PROVIDES FOR 2 NEW TERRITORIES FROM REST OF LA PURCHASE: KS & NE • SLAVERY WOULD BE DECIDED BY POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY • N PROTESTS! - But Act passed anyway

13. KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT • 1854, introduced by STEPHEN DOUGLAS • ACT PROVIDES FOR 2 NEW TERRITORIES FROM REST OF LA PURCHASE: KS & NE • SLAVERY DECIDED BY POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY • REPEALED PORTION OF MO COMPROMISE BANNING SLAVERY N OF 36’30’ LINE • N PROTESTS! - But Act passed anyway

14. “BLEEDING KANSAS” • Virtually no slaves in KS • Both N & S determined to have KS • Pro-slavery Missourians move in, elect territorial legislature & allow slavery • Antislavery settlers hold their own election & denounce slavery • Two govts in KS in 1856 • Proslavery forces attack antislavery areas – 5 killed

15. JOHN BROWN - vigilante • May 1856 • Pottawatomie Creek • Brutally murdered 5 pro-slavery men in retaliation for 5 killed by them • Leads to terror, mayhem from both sides • Brown goes into hiding • Over 200 dead by then • Becomes known as “Bleeding Kansas”

17. SCOTT V. SANFORD, 1857 SCOTT: slave taken by former master into free territory & then brought back into slave territory SCOTT SUES FOR FREEDOM saying that residence in a free territory should make him free ISSUE is whether slavery can legally be outlawed in the territories DRED SCOTT DECISION

18. S. CT. RULES WITH SOUTH • Holds that Scott is not citizen & has no right to sue • HOLDS THAT SLAVES ARE “PROPERTY,” NOT CITIZENS & THUS COULD BE TAKEN INTO FREE TERRITORIES W/O BECOMING FREE • Rules that Congress has no right to take away any person’s property rights

19. JOHN BROWN’S RAID • Oct. 1859 • Raids federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA • Mission is to arm & liberate slaves & punish slave-owners & establish black republic in VA Hills • Captured by Robert E. Lee • Found guilty of treason, hanged • Martyr to North • Reinforces South’s greatest fear & need to protect itself from abolitionists! "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 my children, and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and most unjust enactments, I submit: so let it be done!" (Last speech to the court at his trial, November 2, 1859)

20. DIVIDED OVER SLAVERY RUN 2 CANDIDATES SO THE VOTES OF THE PARTY ARE SPLIT RUN ABRAHAM LINCOLN ELECTION OF 1860 DEMOCRATS: REPUBLICAN (ANTI-SLAVERY) PARTY:

21. South believes Abraham Lincoln is an Abolitionist • “A house divided against itself cannot stand; I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.” • Lincoln believes no extension of slavery should be allowed • BUT, he’s willing to leave it alone where it already exists • Lincoln doesn’t campaign; no speeches • WINS with all free states except NJ

22. SECESSION! • LINCOLN ELECTED - SC secedes on basis of state’s rights • Seceding Southern states seized federal property in their states • Only a few places remained in the Union’s hands, including Fort Sumter • FEB. 1861 – 7 states of the Deep South seceded • SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX • ESTABLISH CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA • JEFFERSON DAVIS President • After battle at Ft. Sumter, 4 more southern states secede: • VA, NC, AK, TN

23. GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT: “Wayward sisters, depart in peace.”