Turmoil and Tensions: The Compromise of 1850 and the Battle for Kansas

1. Chapter 10.1-10.2 Notes

2. Statehood for California • Population soared because of gold rush, skipped a step in the statehood process • Applies to join US as a free state • But most had assumed would be slave state because below 36’30’ line • Zachary Taylor, now president supports CA as free state • South sees this as a threat to slavery • Should the South remain part of the US?

4. Compromise of 1850 • Suggested by Henry Clay to ease Congressional tensions (and National tension) • Contained pieces to appease both North and South • Most important was concept of popular sovereignty: the new states and the people in them would decide whether or not to have slavery. • Stephen Douglas is creator of Popular Sovereignty • VOIDS MISSOURI COMPROMISE!!!

5. Terms of the Compromise • CA admitted as a free state • Utah and Mexico decide slavery by popular sovereignty as well future new states • Slave Trade outlawed in Washington, DC • Strict Fugitive Slave Law • Texas/Mexico border issue resolved

6. Compromise of 1850 • Compromise is passed • Millard Fillmore made president after Taylor’s death • South felt they got the best deal

7. Fugitive Slave Law--Reactions • North did not like it and did not like enforcing it • Per the law fugitives could not, have a trial by jury, right to speedy trial, could not testify on their own behalf • 9 northern states passed personal liberty laws in response to Fugitive Slave law • These laws said that captured fugitive slaves had to be given a trial.

8. Underground Railroad • Network of safe houses from south to north to help runaway slaves • Conductors hid slaves, provided with food, clothing, and directions to the next “stop” • Harriet Tubman, escaped to freedom in 1849 after the death of her owner • Made 19 trips on railroad and helped over 300 slaves

9. Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Published by Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1852 • Upset over Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 wanted to publish a book that would awaken the North to the wickedness of slavery • VERY popular (even made into a play) • North felt it was accurate and showed truth of slavery, South not so happy • Believed to be one of the reasons why GB did not join

10. Kansas-Nebraska Act • Trouble comes up when Kansas and Nebraska prepare to become states • With Missouri Compromise out and popular sovereignty in troubles arise • 1854, Kansas-Nebraska Act is introduced in Congress • Bill officially repeals Missouri Compromise and 36’30’ line and puts Popular Sovereignty as determination of slavery in a new state

11. Battle for Kansas • Kansas is open to slavery because of popular sovereignty • Population is a mix of Northerners on their way west, abolitionists, free soilers • New Immigrant Aid Company (sends 2000 people to KS to make it non-slave) • South gets mad and feels that they were betrayed (already Nebraska is free so feel that KS should be slave) • Some slave owning Southerners do settle there but seen as dangerous since slavery could be outlawed

12. Battle for Kansas cont…. • Census of 1860 (107,000 people, only 2 slaves accounted for) • 1855 Kansas elects members to the legislature and slave issue • Many “border ruffians” from proslavery Missouri cross border and vote (early and often) • Pro-Slavery side wins and KS becomes a slave states, set up government at Shawnee Mission • Free Soilers decide to set up rival government in Topeka (say election was rigged) • Violence gets worse, 1856 gang of pro-slavery raiders burned the town of Lawrence “Sack of Lawrence”

13. Bleeding Kansas and John Brown • John Brown moves to KS from OH with his family • Strong abolitionist, decides to take revenge on pro-slavery forces for burning or “sacking” of Lawrence • Pottawatomie Creek, Brown and his followers kill 5 pro-slavery men • Pro-slavery side is OUTRAGED and promises revenge • This is not the last we will see of John Brown • KS is now in Civil War (1856) and will be on and off until the start of the “real” Civil War, 1861 • Called “Bleeding Kansas” because of the amount of bloodshed (rivers ran with blood)

14. Is Kansas a State?? • KS constitution sent to US Senate for approval • Pres. James Buchanan says OK • Stephen Douglas (hero of Pop Sov) leads opposition. Says the KS Constitution was corrupt (now wont get voted for president if he chooses to ever run, South would never vote for him) • KS Constitution not accept by US Senate • Democratic Party now completely divided (northern democrats mad that Democrat President supported KS) • KS is in a state of limbo (somewhere between a territory and a state) AND the slavery question still not answered)!

15. Fights in Congress • 1856 Senator Charles Sumner (MA) mad over the Kansas issue and the “misuse” of popular sovereignty delivers a speech “Crimes against Kansas” in which he condemned pro-slavers in a not nice way and insulted SC and its well liked Senator Andrew Butler • Fellow SC Senator Preston Brooks is outraged at the insult to his colleague and distant cousin, wanted to duel with Sumner but instead on May 22, 1856 approached Sumner at his Senate desk and beat him with his 11 ounce cane until it broke • Sumner is beaten until his loses consciousness and none of the other Senators step in to help him • The H of R tries to get enough votes to expel Brooks but can’t, Brooks resigns anyway

16. Results…. • Sumner is badly injured and has to leave the Senate for 3.5 years while receiving treatments • Brooks is admired by Southerners who mail him new canes • Sumner’s last speech becomes a rallying point for the North • It is clear that an easy fix or compromise is not going to happen