Impending Crisis

1. Impending Crisis

2. Anti-Slavery Movement • Anti-Slavery sentiments and movements were not new, but they gained their first significant American voice in the 1830’s. • American Colonization Society in 1817 for example. • Prominent Virginians who wanted to relocate liberated slaves to form their own African colony. • Liberia is result of this action • Their capital of Monrovia is tribute to President James Monroe who authorized.

3. William Lloyd Garrison • Massachusetts born journalist, founded weekly Boston Newspaper called The Liberator. • Felt most Americans neglected to see slavery from the black perspective. • Even abolitionists generally viewed the possible harm on white society. • Also felt negatively about colonization groups. • talented writer with harsh language and tone regarding contempt for slavery. • Founded the American Antislavery Society • By 1838 he had over 250,00 members.

4. Popular Black Abolitionists • David Walker – free man from Boston • Published Walker’s Appeal … to the Colored Citizens. • Was rather militant and off putting for many. • Sojourner Truth – inspired by her involvement in one of the strange cults in upstate New York. • Very eloquent spokeswoman for abolition movement.

5. Frederick Douglass • Most influential figure in anti-slavery movement. • Born a slave in Maryland, eventually escaped to Massachusetts. • Spent 2 years lecturing and studying in England, and officially bought his freedom when he returned. • Forged a tie among white abolitionists and black anti-slavery proponents. • Eventually merged with Garrison’s movement.

6. Anti-Abolition Sentiments • Many people opposed the new movement. • Not just Southerners either • Many northern whites feared the possible social upheaval caused by drastic measures. • Garrison himself was kidnapped by a mob and threatened to be hanged • Local police had to arrest him to save his life.

7. Garrisonians • As Garrison’s ideas became more and more controversial (pg. 335) his followers became called Garrisonians. • Highly involved in the Underground Railroad, advocates for government and Constitutional involvement, even paid for legal representation for Amistad case. • Amistad – Spanish slave ship where the slaves revolted and overthrew the ship and tried to return to Africa. • While a powerful influence, the anti-slavery movement never officially formed a political party.

8. Harriet Beecher Stowe • Her book Uncle Tom’s Cabin was most influential piece of propaganda. • Was a work of fiction though. • First appeared in 1851-52 in some of the anti-slavery weekly newspapers. • Eventually became so popular that they turned it into a book • Sold 300,00 copies and became one of the best selling books in American history. • Completely rocked the nation with its heartwrenching tale about slavery.

9. Manifest Destiny: America Grows • Manifest Destiny – the belief that the U.S. was destined by God to be a great nation and rule the entire continent. • Many believed that in the long term, this was best for all inhabitants of the continent. • This is how they justified the mistreatment of various racial groups. • The Louisiana Purchase was an example of Manifest Destiny in practice. • As People moved westward, slavery became an issue.

10. Don’t Mess with Texas! • The U.S. had tried to buy or claim Texas on multiple occasions from Mexico, but with no success. • Mexicans viewed it as a buffer between them and the U.S. and tried to sway Americans to move there. • Efforts ended up creating wealthy class that competed with Mexican interests in the region • More Americans ended up there than Mexicans. • When Mexican Gen. Santa Anna seized control of Mexican government he passed a number of laws which Texans felt were aimed at them. • led to upheaval and revolt.

11. Texas Cont. • The Alamo – unorganized groups of Texans tried to claim independence from Mexico. • Santa Anna personally led army to the small mission in San Antonio to attack a band of Texas “patriots”. • Futile slaughter included Tennessee Congressman Davy Crockett. • Battle of San Jacinto – group of Texans led by Gen. Sam Houston defeated Mexicans and captured Santa Anna. • Just outside of present day Houston. • Led to eventual independence of Texas as its own nation.

12. Annexation of Texas • President Sam Houston immediately tried to convince the U.S. to annex his new country. • Many Northern politicians balked at such a large new slave territory. • Andrew Jackson wouldn’t support it at the time because he felt it would lead to war with Mexico. • When U.S. refused the upset Texans tried to pursuit territory so they could rival the U.S. • When European countries supported them President John Tyler revisited the idea of annexation in 1844.

13. The Election of 1844 • Annexation of Texas became the primary issue. • Democrats selected James Polk as their candidate because he took a firm stance supporting the annexation of Texas and Oregon. • The Whigs selected Henry Clay, who was non-committal on the issue. • Polk won in a landslide and Texas was annexed before he even took office. • Polk eventually negotiated obtaining Oregon territory from the British and set the Canadian border at the 49th Parallel, where it is today.

14. Mexican War • Mexico broke off relations with the U.S. as soon as Texas became a state. • Immediately disputes over the actual border, eventually Polk declared the Rio Grande. • U.S. also expressed interest in acquiring New Mexico and California, since more Americans lived there than Mexicans. • Mexico refused his attempt to buy the lands and was appeared imminent. • “Staged” confrontation along the Rio Grande was viewed as an act of war and the Mexican War began

15. Mexican War Cont. • Eventual victory, but not as quickly as many had hoped. • Bear Flag Rebellion – U.S. forces combined with Californians already rebelling to gain control of the territory. • U.S. had occupied territory they wanted, but Mexico refused to concede victory. • Eventually Winfield Scott devised plan to capture Mexico City. • New Mexican government agreed to peace Negotiations and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war.

16. Debate over New Territory • With new territories the major question was how to handle them, and more importantly what role slavery would play. • Wilmot Proviso: appropriate $2 million during the war to purchase Mexican territories, provided slavery wouldn’t exist there. • Hotly debated, Polk suggested simply extending the 36-30 line from the Missouri Compromise. • Ultimately led to the Free-Soil Movement of voters unhappy with either the Whig or Democratic party became central issue in 1848 Election.

17. Kansas-Nebraska Act • Stephen Douglas (D- Sen. Illinois) wanted to manipulate the transcontinental railroad route to include his state. • In order to do so some territory from the Louisiana Purchase would need to become a state. (Nebraska) • To appease Southern Democrats he proposed nullifying the Missouri Compromise to allow territories to vote on slavery. • Also introduce Kansas as a state as well, hoping that Nebraska would vote down slavery and Kansas accept it.

18. Death of the Whig Party • Whigs were divided over the Kansas-Nebraska Act • Many had been strong supporters of the Missouri Comp. • As the Whig party disbanded, Anti-Nebraska Whigs and Democrats combined with Free-Soil movement to form the Republican Party. • In 1854 mid-term elections they combined with Know-Nothings to form majority in the House of Reps.

19. Bleeding Kansas • Debate over the vote on slavery led to bitter fighting between abolitionists and slavery. • Thousands moved to Kansas to establish a government there to support their side. • While pro-slavery groups constituted majority of residents, free-sate supporters seized control of the new government and fight broke out. • Pro-slavery federal marshals arrested free-state leaders and burned the governors house. • Pottowatomie Massacre: John Brown and followers mutilated and killed 5 pro-slavery supporters and left their bodies to discourage any other pro-slavery supporters.

20. The Dred Scott Decision • Dred Scott v. Stanford: Scott was slave of a Missouri surgeon who had taken him to Wisconsin and Illinois (free states) • when the surgeon died he sued his widow for freedom and initially won. • The widow’s brother Stanford, now claiming ownership, appealed the case and it eventually made it to the Supreme Court. • First time the Supreme Court had to rule in slavery issue. • Sided with Sanford claiming Scott was not a citizen and therefore property protected under 5th Amendment. • Viewed as triumph by Southerners and upset Republican.

21. John Brown and Harper’s Ferry • Already well-known for his actions in Kansas, Brown attempted an even more high profile campaign against slavery. • Brown’s goal was to seize control of the garrison at Harper’s Ferry, then use the weapons to lead a slave insurrection against their masters. • Ultimately he was trapped by civilians and soldiers and eventually arrested by a unit under Robert E. Lee • Was tried and hanged for treason • Brown was viewed as a martyr for his cause by abolitionists and a villain by Southerners.

22. The Election of 1860 • Lincoln vs. Douglas • Emerged from Senatorial race with Lincoln’s soaring popularity despite losing. • Lincoln became first Presidential candidate for the new Republican Party. • John Breckinridge represented Southern Democrats along with Douglas, they split the Democratic vote. • Lincoln won the election without winning a single southern state. • Wasn’t even on the ballot in most.