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Union Crisis: Kansas-Nebraska Act & Dred Scott Blow

Explore the turmoil of the Union in 1850s America with the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott case, Lincoln-Douglas debates, secession, conscription, and the struggles faced by the Confederate States during the Civil War.

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Union Crisis: Kansas-Nebraska Act & Dred Scott Blow

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  1. Union in Crisis

  2. Kansas-Nebraska Act • Stephan Douglas focus on Illinois getting in on railroad activity • Popular sovereignty to determine slavery issue • Right of people in territory to decide • Repeals Missouri Compromise • New issues, new conflicts within political parties • Northern Democrats abandon party • Nativists grow “Know Nothings”

  3. Union Breaking Down • Kansas becomes a competition to settle first • Voting fraud rampant 1854-1855 • Led by “Border Ruffians” • 1856 sees violence • John Brown leads assault on pro-slavery town • 200 dead after chaos in Kansas • Leaders weakened by strife

  4. The Dred Scott Blow • Slave fighting for freedom, goes to U.S. Supreme Court • Basis: had lived in free and slave states, owner died while in slave state • Chief Justice Taney huge effect • Three Positions: Blacks not citizens, Scott had never ceased to be a slave, slaves never stopped being property

  5. Seeking a Leader • Lincoln and Douglas duke it out for senate seat • Not necessarily that far apart ideologically • Douglas wins election, Lincoln moves on to bigger and better things, presidency

  6. Secession • Lincoln’s victory seen as terrible blow for southerners • Only option was to secede, led by South Carolina • February 7, 1861 The Confederate States of America established • No time for Lincoln to ponder situation

  7. Weighing the Strengths

  8. Conscription • Confederate Army feels pinch • Need for soldiers high • All able bodied men 18-35 required service • No real outcry initially, until, exemption of those with 20 or more slaves • North implemented Enrollment Act 1863 as numbers dwindled

  9. The South's Struggles • Food shortages • Clothing needs, not met • Many unable to continue into battle without proper attire • Impressment Act 1863; the taking of food from farmers, forcing slaves to work for the army

  10. The $ In the South • The Blockades on southern ports forced a change • In steps Confederate War Department • Once anti strong government; attitudes shifts • Attempts at quick industrialization fairly successful • Income tax another source of revenue • Davis sees his popularity sinking

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