The Crisis Deepens

1. The Crisis Deepens Chapter 8 Section 2

2. Birth of the Republican Party • Kansas-Nebraska Act finally split the Whig Party • All Proslavery Southern Whigs voted for bill • All Antislavery Northern Whigs voted against it • Former Whigs, Free-Soilers, & antislavery Democrats join forces • Possible names? • Fusion Party, People’s Party, Anti-Nebraska Party • Settled on “Republican Party”

3. Republicans Organize • Officially formed in Michigan in 1854 • Chose Jefferson’s original party name • Feared Southern planters were becoming an aristocracy that controlled the gov’t • Absorbed most Northern Know-Nothings after the party split • Nativist, Anti-Catholic views • Slavery should NOT be abolished in South… • …Just kept out of the territories • Won many Congressional seats in 1854 Elections

4. The Election of 1856 • Republicans John C. Fremont • Western Explorer w/ little political experience • In favor of making Kansas a free state • Democrats James Buchanan • Served in Congress for 20 years • Did not take a side in the Kansas-Nebraska debate • Thought making concessions to the South would save Union • American Party Millard Fillmore • Former President • Hoped to attract former Whigs’ votes

5. Buchanan had solid support of the South • Needed Pennsylvania (home state) and 1 other to win • Democrats say If Fremont (Rep) wins, the South will secede. • Buchanan Wins • Inaugural Address Supreme Court should decide issue of slavery in the territories

6. The Dred Scott Case • Dred Scott= slave • Taken into free territory to live for 10 years then returned to Missouri • Sued slaveholder’s family for freedom • Claimed his time in free territory made him a free man • Case made it to Supreme Court • US Supreme Court, 1857 • Majority = Southerners • Southern Congressmen pressured SC to rule in favor of slavery in the territories

8. The Dred Scott Decision • March 6, 1857 Chief Justice Roger B. Taney • 7-2 decision against Scott • African-Americans were not citizens. • African-Americans could not sue in the courts • Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories • The Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional

9. The Dred Scott Reaction • Intensified conflict between North & South • Democrats cheered • Southerners demanded the North obey the decision • Republicans decision was not binding • Obiter dictum opinion not called for by circumstances of case • African-Americans if this is the land of the free, how can the gov’t say people can’t be citizens • Many migrate to Canada

10. Kansas’ Constitution • Buchanan wanted Kansas to apply for statehood • Proslavery Legislature wanted to hold constitutional convention • Antislavery Kansans boycotted • Proslavery legislature draws up the Lecompton constitution • Legalized slavery in territory

11. Lecompton Constitution Debate • Each side held referendum (popular vote) • Proslavery (Yayayayayayayayayayay!) • Antislavery • Buchanan accepted only the proslavery vote • Senate votes to accept constitution • House of Reps.  not so fast guys • Fist fights broke out on Congress floor • Stephen Douglas refused to support South • Lost favor w/ many Southern delegates • Kansas would not become a state until 1861

12. 1858 Illinois Senate Race • Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln • Stephen Douglas for Democrats • To overcome Douglas’ fame & to attract a larger audience, Lincoln challenges Douglas to a series of debates • Douglas CONFIDENTLY accepted

13. Abraham Lincoln • Tall 6’4 • Occupation Lawyer • Fun fact- Hid valuable papers in his stovepipe hat • Political career one term as member of House • Arguments • Slavery is morally wrong (Eventually) • Opposed western expansion of slavery • Thought slavery would eventually die out on its own

15. Stephen A. Douglas • Occupation full-time Politician • Fun Fact- briefly dated Lincoln’s future wife, Mary Todd • Political career Senator for 12 years • Most popular Democrat in Congress • Hoped to be elected president in 1860 • Arguments • Committed to principal of popular sovereignty • Defended Compromise of 1850 • Endorsed Dred Scott decision

16. Lincoln-Douglas Debates • The two traveled to seven Illinois towns to debate critical issues (expansion of slavery, duh) • Douglas  “Lincoln & Republicans were abolitionists in disguise!” • Freeport, Illinois Lincoln traps Douglas w/ this question:“Could the people of a territory legally exclude slavery before achieving statehood?” • If Douglas says “Yes!” seems to oppose Dred Scott decision…loses Southern support • If Douglas says “No!” seems to abandon his principle of popular sovereignty

17. Freeport Doctrine • Douglas tried to avoid question… • …But ends up creating the Freeport Doctrine • Accepted Dred Scott ruling (no ban on slavery in territories) • Citizens could still keep out slavery by refusing to pass laws needed to enforce it • “Slavery can’t exist w/o support of law enforcement” • Southerners were extremely angry

18. 1858 Senate Election Results • Lincoln narrowly lost election to Douglas but… • Made Republican principles clear • Established national reputation for himself • Ideal debater w/ eloquence and force • Hurt Douglas’ chances in the presidential election of 1860 • All Southern support vanquished after Freeport Doctrine

19. John Brown • 1800 Born in New York • Fervent Abolitionist • Thought he was sent by heaven to liberate slaves • Believed the only way to end slavery was thru bloodshed • Fought proslavery forces in Kansas • Supposedly took part in the “hacking” of 5 proslavery men at Pottawatomie • Master Plan lead a slave rebellion using weapons from federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA

21. John Brown’s Raid • October 16, 1859 • Brown and 18 followers seized the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA • Intended to arm slaves from the surrounding area • No slaves ever joined the insurrection (rebellion) • US Marine force, led by Robert E. Lee, captured Brown and killed 10 of his men • Brown was found guilty of high treason and hanged on December 2, 1859 • He never showed remorse for his actions

22. Reaction to John Brown’s Actions • Northerners regarded him as a hero & martyr • Strengthened abolitionist feelings in North • Southerners believed this was proof that the North was plotting to murder slaveholders • South = TERRIFIED OF SLAVE REVOLT • Southern delegates warned that war was being brought to their doorstep