Renewing the Sectional Struggle: 1848-1854

1. Renewing the Sectional Struggle: 1848-1854 AP US History Mr. Long

2. Introduction • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and gold ignited a new political/sectional battle • ISSUE = Slavery and its extension into new territory

3. National Unity • At this point in history political parties are a bond in national unity. • Political parties share members in all parts of the nation. • NOT BASED ON GEOGRAPHY (SECTIONAL) • The slavery issue will change this!

4. Political Parties of the Day • The two major political parties of the day are… • Democrats (state rightists) • Whigs (nationalistic) • Minor parties were also players such as the Free-Soil Party (anti-slavery) • What major party of the Civil War is missing? • REPUBLICAN

5. Taylor’s Political Triumph • Election of 1848 • Lewis Cass (Dem) • Zachary Taylor (Whig) Winner • Martin Van Buren (Free-Soil) • Stances on slavery… • Democrats: Took no stance on the issue as a party. Cass let his thoughts be known. Popular sovereignty. • Wanted to make national issue a local issue! • Whigs: Focused on homespun virtues of their candidate and dodged issue. • Free Soil: Clearly against spread of slavery/slavery itself. Didn’t want to share Western lands with blacks.

6. Big changes • So what changed in the US to bring on this political/sectional disunity? • Massive new territory with the Mexican Cession Area • California Gold Rush of 1849 • Lack of Northern support for Fugitive Slave Laws • Underground Railroad

7. “Californy” Gold • Gold was found in California in 1848 • California Gold Rush: masses of people flooded CA in 1849 in search of riches. • California needs a government • Crime is rampant in California gold towns. • People draft a constitution and request statehood.

8. “Californy” Gold • Want to join Union as a free state (PROBLEM?) • THIS WOULD THROW OFF THE BALANCE IN SENATE AND MIGHT SET A PRECIDENT FOR MEXICAN CESSION AREA! (15/15) • South had paid for this territory with its blood • Up to this point South is still well off politically • Provide many of the leaders • Balance in Senate even if outnumbered in House • They could stop any legislation about abolition

9. Underground Railroad and Sectionalism • Underground Railroad: • A system of homes (stations) which slaves (passengers) would be taken on to go from the South to free Canada. • Harriet Tubman: Former slave who made 19 trips freeing some 300 slaves from bondage.

10. Underground Railroad and Sectionalism • Why did the South hate the Underground Railroad? • Simply, they lost valuable property. • South would call for tougher Fugitive Slave Laws. • They didn’t work b/c the North didn’t enforce them.

11. Southern Fears in the Political Realm • Southern Fears made their way to Washington in 1850 • Free-soil CA wants statehood • “fire-eaters” in South wanted secession if demands not met • New Fugitive Slave Laws • WHO WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE? • Great Triumvirate

12. Politics and Sectional Struggle • Henry Clay “Great Compromiser” • Kentucky • 73yrs old • Solution: Urged that both North and South make concessions and that the North enact more feasible fugitive slave laws. • Backed vigorously by Senator Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois)

13. Politics and Sectional Struggle • John C. Calhoun “Great Nullifier” • South Carolina • 68yrs old • Solution: Leave slavery alone, return runaway slaves, give rights to the minority (Southerners) and restore political balance. • Proposed to have 2 presidents both with veto • One North and One South

14. Politics and Sectional Struggle • Daniel Webster • Massachusetts • 68yrs old • Solution: In agreement with Clay’s compromise. • Gave 7th of March speech (3hrs long) • Said God had legislated on slavery in new territories through geography. • Regarded slavery as evil but disunion as worse. • Union is the issue to most people, not slavery.

16. Deadlock and Danger on Capitol Hill • Young Guard v Old Guard • Young Guard: • Rid Union of slavery and those who support it • Led by William Seward (NY Senator) • President Taylor agrees and is ready to veto any compromise that would pass his desk. • President Taylor dies suddenly in 1850 = helps case fore concession. • Old Guard = Great Triumvirate

17. Breaking Congressional Logjam • Compromise of 1850: Concession on the issue • Terms: • California admitted to Union as a free state • Permanently tipped Senate balance to free states • Popular Sovereignty would settle slavery issue in NM and Utah and establish territorial governments there • Nature made slavery useless in these areas. • Abolition of slave trade in D.C • Continued protection of slavery in D.C • Texas gets $10 million towards debt • New Fugitive Slave Laws of 1850 • North “union savers” love it, South “fire-eaters” despised it • NORTH CLEARLY GETS THE BETTER DEAL!

18. Breaking Congressional Logjam Northern Gains Southern Gains • Texas gets $10 million towards debt • Halted abolition movement in D.C. for time being • Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 “Bloodhound Bill” • Pushes moderates towards anti-slavery ranks • Biggest blunder of South • Turned more away then gained. • California admitted as a free state • Senate Balance tipped permanently • Popular Sovereignty would settle slavery issue in NM and Utah • Geography made the slave system useless there.

19. Breaking Congressional Logjam • RESULTS: • The North clearly gets a better deal. • South will be looking for new territories to regain a balance in Senate. (Where?) • Compromise of 1850 WON THE WARfor the North. • Provided Time

20. Defeat and Doom for Whigs • Election of 1952 • Franklin Pierce (Dem) • Platform: Territorial Expansion and endorsed the Compromise of 1850. • Winfield Scott (Whig) • Platform: Praised the Compromise of 1850, not as much as Democrats • Problem: Whigs are split (N love Scott but hate Compromise (FSL) S love Compromise but hate Scott) • John Hale (Free-Soil) • He steals votes from the Northern Whigs who hate compromise.

21. Defeat and Doom for Whigs • Result of 1852 Election • Pierce wins in landslide • Marks the beginning of the end for the Whig party = Rise of sectional political parties. • Whig Contributions: • Upheld the Union ideals • Great leaders (Clay/Webster)

22. Pacific Railroad promoters and the Gadsden Purchase • With all the territorial expansion Transportation becomes a huge issue. • WHY? • We see our need for transportation during Mexican War • Sea routes are to long • Land transportation is necessary or new Western prizes (California, Oregon, etc) could break away. • TRANSCONTINENTIAL RAILROAD IS THE ANSWER

23. Pacific Railroad promoters and the Gadsden Purchase • RAILROAD = Money and Power • Due to this there is a battle over who will get the main terminal (North or South) • South has a plan… • Try to negotiate with Mexico to buy land just South of border which seems perfect for railroad. • Gadsden Purchase 1853: (Opposed by N) • James Gadsden • $10 Million • Approved by Senate despite opposition from N (Manifest Destiny)

25. Pacific Railroad promoters and the Gadsden Purchase • Southern Claims for Railroad look better… • Gadsden Purchase Territory • There are not many mountains • Would not go through unorganized territory • Northern Land would have to go through unorganized Nebraska

26. Douglas’s Kansas-Nebraska Scheme • North wanted Railroad, especially Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois) • Proposes the Kansas-Nebraska Act • TERMS: • Territory of Nebraska would be split into two (Kansas and Nebraska) • Popular Sovereignty would settle the issue of slavery in the new territories • Kansas would probably be a slave state • Nebraska would probably be a free state • PROBLEM: • Contradicted the Missouri Compromise (36*30’ Line)

27. Douglas’s Kansas-Nebraska Scheme • Consequences of the Kansas-Nebraska Act • Repealed the Missouri Compromise, heightening the sectional tensions • Permitted the expansion of slavery beyond Southern states. • Led to a decisive debate over the expansion of slavery in these areas (Lincoln-Douglas Debates) • Ignited a bloody contest over the territory of Kansas • Split the Democratic Party • Sparked the formation of the Republican Party

28. Congress Legislates Civil War • THIS WILL IN EFFECT LEGISLATE A CIVIL WAR! • WE NOW HAVE A DREADED SECTIONAL DIVISION!

29. Chapter 19: Drifting Toward Disunion: 1854-1861 Mr. Long AP US History

30. Introduction • The main issue pushing the nation towards disunion is the extension slavery and the political balance. • Peaceful solution seemed very unlikely as tempers became hostile • EX: Kansas territory, Dred Scott decision and John Brown. Video

31. Stowe and Helper: Literary Incendiaries • Two literary works helped fuel the flames of discontent between North and South • Uncle Tom’s Cabinby Harriet Beacher Stowe • Awakened the North to wickedness of slavery • Hit worldwide audience (would hurt South in future) • RESULT: North now really does not want to enforce Fugitive Slave Laws, Impression on youth who would fight in war. • The Impending Crisis of the Southby Hinton R. Helper. • Fueled the fear of the elite planters that non-slave holding majority might abandon them in sectional cause.

32. The North-South contest for Kansas • Kansas’ slavery issue is to be settle by popular sovereignty (Compromise of 1850) • Both abolitionists and pro-slavery groups want the territory. • NE Emigrant Aid Company- group financed by northern abolitionists to settle Kansas. (Keep slavery out/profit) • South tried this but bullets and volatile slaves are not a good combo (death/revolt)

33. The North-South contest for Kansas • South claims betrayal (Compromise 1850) • They supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act based on thought that Kansas would be slave state. Unspoken understanding.

34. The North-South contest for Kansas • In 1855 TWO governments are formed • “Border Ruffians” pour into Kansas from Missouri to vote for territorial legislature. (pro-slavery) • Free-soilers form their own government in Topeka, claiming fraud by border hoppers. • One gov based on fraud (pro-slavery) another illegal (abolitionists) • PURPOSE:This government was to set up constitution for the state so it is very important. • Breaking Point: 1856 Lawrence, Kansas pro-slavery raiders shot up and burned free-soil Lawrence.

35. Kansas in Convulsion • “Bleeding Kansas”: civil war in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery parties. • Border Wars • John Brown: In response to Lawrence led a small band of followers who killed 5 presumably pro-slavery men at Pottawatomie Creek. • Sets off civil war in Kansas

36. Kansas in Convulsion • In 1857 Kansas applies for statehood on the basis of popular sovereignty. • Solution to slavery… • Lecompton Constitution: • Vote on constitution with or without slavery (Scheme by pro-slavery legislature) • Provisions in place if voted without

38. Kansas in Washington • James Buchanan (under southern control) upholds the Lecompton Constitution. • Opposed by Stephen A. Douglas (Popular Sovereignty) • Violence in Kansas had poured onto the Senate floor in 1856. • Charles Sumner beaten by Preston Brooks (S.C) after he condemns slavery and insults Andrew Butler (S.C Sen) • RESULT: • Sumner’s speech spread to thousands who would have never heard it and more Republicans vote. • Showed how dangerous the dispute of slavery would be!

39. Dred Scott Bombshell • Dred Scott v Stanford (1857) • Dred Scott, a slave, had lived in Illinois/Wisconsin for 5 years with his master (free territories). • He sues saying due to extended time in free territories he should be free! • Roger B. Tanney: ruled that he was not a citizen but property so he didn’t have any rights. • 5th Amendment: Congress can’t deprive people of their property w/o due process of the law. • Ruled the Missouri Compromise of 1820 unconstitutional. • This is a sacred document in the North even though it was repealed in 1854. Split N & S Democrats (Sectionalism)

40. The Financial Crash of 1857 • Panic of 1857: more psychological then economical panic. • CAUSES: • California gold = inflation • Over stimulated grain growth (N) to produce for Crimean War. • Over speculation of lands/railroads • RESULT: • South thought they were more powerful then North (cotton prices still high) • Gives the North two election issues for 1860 • Farms for the farmless (push for free land) • Higher protective tariff

41. An Illinois Rail-Splitter emerges/The Great Debate: Lincoln v Douglas • Lincoln runs for Senate v Stephen A. Douglas • Lincoln-Douglas Debates (Aug-Oct 1858) • Lincoln challenged Douglas to debates • Freeport Question: If the people in a territory voted slavery down who would prevail the Supreme Court (Fed, Dred Scott) or people? • Douglas is huge supporter of popular sovereignty • Freeport Doctrine: No matter how courts ruled, if people voted slavery down it would stay down. • Very Democratic answer

42. An Illinois Rail-Splitter emerges/The Great Debate: Lincoln v Douglas • RESULSTS of DEBATES: • Lincoln is now in the national spotlight • Democratic party even more split • Southern Democrats hate Douglas b/c of his opposition to Lecompton Constitution and his defiance of the Supreme Court with Freeport Doctrine.

44. John Brown: Murderer or Martyr? • Harper’s Ferry (Oct 1859) • John Brown and 20 followers planned to invade the south and set up a black free state as a safe haven for slaves. • Captures Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA but slaves fail to rise up and support him. • Captured by US Marines and Robert E. Lee • Brown was convicted of murder and treason • Brown knew he was more valuable to the abolitionists cause dead then in insane asylum.

45. John Brown: Murderer or Martyr? • Results of Harper’s Ferry • South: Pushed them more towards secession b/c they thought the violent abolitionist view was shared by entire north. • North: the moderates in the N were outraged by the thoughts of the South lumping them in with the radicals. • Abolitionists: Infuriated by Brown’s execution b/c they thought he was murdered for a righteous cause.

46. The Disruption of the Democrats • 1860 Election = most fateful in American History • Democratic Convention • The Democrats can not decide on a delegate for the 1860 Election. • The convention adjourns twice w/o choosing a candidate. • THE PARTY IS SPLIT BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH.

47. The Disruption of the Democrats • Southern Democrats: • John C. Breckenridge • Platform: Extension of slavery in new territories, Annexation of slave populated Cuba. • Northern Democrats: • Stephen A. Douglas • Platform: Popular Sovereignty solves slavery issue by state. • Constitutional-Union Party: • John Bell • Platform: Represented Southern interests but they still wanted Union.

48. Rail-Splitter Splits Union • The Democratic Party split almost assures Republicans of victory. • Republicans • Abraham Lincoln (over William Seward) • Platform: • Non-extension of slavery (Free-soilers) • Protective Tariff (N Industry/manufacturing) • No Abridgment of rights (immigrants) • Pacific Railroad (NW, Chicago) • Internal Improvements at Federal Gov expense (West) • Free Homesteads for public domain (Farmers/poor)

49. Rail-Splitter Splits Union • South (secessionalists) threatened to secede if Lincoln elected. • South begins to raise a militia in southern states bordering free states. • Many states are ready for secession

50. Electoral Upheaval of 1860 • Lincoln wins the election of 1860 (66% of vote went elsewhere) • He wins all 18 Northern states • Not on the ballot in 10 Southern states • S.C loves this b/c it gives them a reason to secede. • Dec 20, 1860 • James Buchanan does nothing.