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Slavery dominated politics. Lincoln was running for the Senate in 1858. In his campaign made a rather foreboding prediction…” ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.”.
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Slavery dominated politics. Lincoln was running for the Senate in 1858. In his campaign made a rather foreboding prediction…” ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.” Prelude to War – Events Leading up to the Civil War Dred Scott v Sandford decision: Scott had been taken to Wisconsin by his owner, then back to Missouri. Scott argued that since he had lived in a free state, he should be free. COURT RULING: said that slaves did NOT have rights & it ruled that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because it regulated property by saying slaveholders could not take slaves into the territories. 1856 Lecompton Constitution (Kansas): A constitution put together that is pro-slavery. It was voted down by free-soilers (overwhelmingly voted down). Pres. Buchanan endorsed the constitution anyhow, and it moved to Congress. Douglas opposed it & swayed opinions, it got rejected by Congress 1857
Prelude to War – Events Leading up to the Civil War • Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Lincoln runs for the Senate. He is not well-known, so he challenges Douglas to a series of debates. • Lincoln believes slavery is immoral • Douglas believes in popular sovereignty to decide the issue. Freeport Doctrine. 1858 Harpers Ferry: John Brown was a radical abolitionist. He concocted a plan to raid the U.S. Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, take the weapons, and arm the slaves in an uprising. It didn’t work. October,1859 • John Brown’s Hanging: After Harpers Ferry, Brown is arrested and tried for high treason. He was hung on December 2nd • Northerners admired him & his cause • Southerners accused northerners of plotting slave uprisings & called for secession December 1859
Election of 1860 At the republican convention in Chicago, delegates were to decide between William Seward and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was not well known & had not offended people like Seward had. The delegates picked Lincoln & the election was on! During the election there were 4 candidates for the Presidency… • Abraham Lincoln: • Nominated by Republican Party • Believes slavery is immoral • Promised not to interfere directly or indirectly w/ slave-holders • Stephen Douglas: • Senator from Illinois • Backed by northern democrats • Wanted popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery. • John Breckinridge: • Vice-President • Backed by southern democrats • Wanted slavery in the territories & rights of slave holders respected • John Bell: • From Tennessee • Constitutional Union Party (coalition Party) • Did not take a stance on slavery Lincoln did not even appear on the ballot in some southern states. Despite this, he won the election by taking 180 electoral votes. He took less than half the popular vote. With the election of Lincoln, the south decided to act. South Carolina was first seceding in December of 1860. The southern states met in February of 1861& formed the Confederacy. They elected Jefferson Davis President.
