Slavery and Secession. The Americans, Chapter 10.4, Pages

Transcription

1 Slavery and Secession The Americans, Chapter 10.4, Pages

2 Slavery Dominates Politics For strong leaders, slavery was a difficult issue. But it presented even more of a challenge for the indecisive President Buchanan, whose administration was plagued by slavery-related controversies. The first one arose on March 6 th ~The Americans, page 324.

3 Dred Scott Dred Scott Decision 1857 Slave from Missouri Had lived North of Missouri Compromise line for 4 years (Illinois) Sues for freedom when his master dies Supreme Court Decision Chief Justice Roger B Taney Ruled against Scott Slaves do not have rights of citizens No claim to freedom because he was in Missouri when he began his suit Missouri Compromise unconstitutional Violated property rights (5 th amendment) of owners Implications Slaves could be taken anywhere

4 The Lecompton Constitution Kansas Constitution Proslavery Constitution Free-Soil Party calls for referendum They outnumber proslavery settlers by almost 10:1 President Buchanan Decides to accept proslavery constitution Believes free-soil party is overreacting Only 200 slaves in Kansas Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois) Supports popular sovereignty Convinces Congress to hold a referendum Kansas rejects slavery

5 Lincoln-Douglas Debates That summer witnessed the start of one of Illinois greatest political contests: the 1858 race for the U.S. Senate between Democratic incumbent Douglas and Republican challenger Abraham Lincoln. To many outsiders, it must have seemed like an uneven match. Douglas was a two-term senator with an outstanding record and a large campaign chest. Who was Lincoln? ~The Americans, page 325.

6 Lincoln Challenges Douglas Lincoln s Background Self-educated, successful lawyer Elected to Congress in 1846 Broke with Whigs because of Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 Challenge to Debates Counteract Douglas fame & financial resources 7 open air debates on the issue of slavery in the territories Speaking Styles Douglas used dramatic gestures Lincoln used a solemn manner & plain language

7 Douglas Positions and Arguments Believed in Popular Sovereignty Prairie naturally unsuitable for slavery Slavery impractical and would pass away on its own Lincoln Slavery was immoral, based on greed Slavery would only cease through legislation Distortions Lincoln portrays Douglas as proslavery Douglas portrays Lincoln as an abolitionist

8 The Freeport Doctrine Lincoln s Question Can settlers vote to exclude slavery before a territory becomes a state? Dred Scot Decision says no, therefore popular sovereignty is meaningless Douglas Response Freeport Doctrine People can elect representatives who will not enforce slave property laws Possible to get around Dred Scott decision Aftermath Douglas Wins election Lincoln becomes a national figure North-South division worsens

9 Passions Ignite If 1858 was ayear of talk, then 1859 turned out to be a year of action. Most Americans probably would have welcomed a respite from the issue of slavery. Instead, God s angry man, John Brown, reemerged on the scene and ended all hopes of a compromise over slavery between the North and the South. ~The Americans, page 327.

10 Harper s Ferry John Brown Radical Abolitionist Studies Slaves revolts in Haiti & Ancient Rome Raids Harper s Ferry, VA with a band of 21 on October 16 th 1859 Seize arms from federal arsenal Distribute arms to slaves Failure of Harper s Ferry Raid No slaves come forward Robert E. Lee leads marines who capture Brown

11 John Brown s Hanging Convicted of High Treason Hanged on December 2, 1859 Lincoln & Douglas condemn Brown s actions Brown becomes a martyr to abolitionists Southerners outraged Calls for Secession

12 Lincoln is Elected President Despite the tide of hostility that now flowed between North and South, the Republican Party eagerly awaited its presidential convention in May When the convention began, almost everyone believed that the party s candidate would be William H. Seward of New York. However, events took a dramatic turn. ~The Americans, page 328.

13 The Republican Convention Attendance Chicago Very Crowded 50 hotels filled Convention Politics Committees form No on is the clear candidate Campaign managers bargain for support

14 Seward and Lincoln William H. Seward Led antislavery faction in Congress Supported by New York organizations Was confident in receiving the nomination Abraham Lincoln Had not offended anyone Seems more moderate Does not think war is inevitable Nominated on the third ballot

15 Election of 1860 Stephen Douglas (IL) Backed by Northern Democrats Popular Sovereignty John C. Breckinridge (KT) Buchanan s Vice President Backed by Southern Democrats John Bell (TN) Constitutional Union Party Ignored issue of slavery Abraham Lincoln (IL) Only receives 39-40% of popular vote Beats all other candidates combined in the electoral college

16 The Election of 1860

17 Southern Secession Southern Fears No national political voice subject to Northern Dominance Lincoln had won with only the North End of their entire way of life William T Sherman Superintendent of Louisiana state military academy War is inevitable South unprepared for war Secession South Carolina On December 20 th 1860,; other southern states follow shortly afterwards

18 The Shaping of the Confederacy Confederacy formed on February 4 th 1861 Constitution recognizes each state as sovereign & independent Slavery permitted in territories Elects Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as president Davis states that the South must show unity as a sign of strength

19 The Calm Before the Storm Period of uncertainty Lincoln not yet inaugurated 7 slaves seceded Will other 8 slave states follow? Buchanan is indecisive Declares secession illegal But declares it is illegal for him to do anything about it Washington D.C. Very Much a Southern city Secessionists in Congress Also in Buchanan s cabinet Mass resignations take place