Chapter 10 The Union in Crisis 1846 1861

Chapter 10: The Union in Crisis 1846 -1861

Section 3 Political Realignment Deepens Crisis

American Political Parties ★Democratic Party (1800 to present) ○ Opposed strong Government ○ Divided over the issue of slavery ■ Southern Democrats--pro slavery ■ Other Democrats--popular sovereignty ★ Whig Party (1834 -1852) ○ Favored National Economic Development ○ Divided over slavery ■ Heavily favored Popular Sovereignty ■ Antislavery members left in 1850 --collapsed due to split

Democrats and Whigs

American Political Parties ★Know-Nothings/American Party (1843 -1856) ○ Anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, believed that Catholics and immigrants would steal American jobs, undermine American religious freedom or be a “burden” on society ○ Anti slavery Whigs initially joined the party ○ 1856 will take a proslavery stance ★ Free Soil Party (1847 -1854) ○ Opposed expansion of slavery to Western Territories ○ Formed by Antislavery Whigs and Democrats ○ Absorbed by new Republican Party in 1854

Know-Nothings and Free Soilers

American Political Parties ★Republican Party (1854 -present) ○ ○ Opposed Slavery Opposed Kansas-Nebraska Act First abolition party despite antislavery sentiment growing Coalition of business leader as well as moral leaders

Election of 1856 ★Like 1848 would be a three way Presidential Race ★Unlike 1848, 1856 would highlight and further entrench regional differences North v. South ★Election would further divide and inflame the tension over slavery in US

Election of 1856 ★Candidates ○ Democratic Party ■ James Buchanan ● From Pennsylvania ○ PA had the second highest electoral votes with 27 ● Served in the House and the Senate for PA ● Promised to stop the agitation of the slavery issue

James Buchanan

Election of 1856 ★Candidates ○ Republican Party ■ John C. Fremont ● Explorer and veteran of the Mexican-American War in CA, eventually settling in CA ○ Previously a Senator of CA ■ Slogan: “Free soil, Free Labor, Free men, Fremont!” ■ Campaigned to admit Kansas as a free state

John C. Fremont

Election of 1856 ★Candidates ○ Know Nothings/ American Party ■ Millard Fillmore ● 13 th President of United States ● Last Whig President ● Left Presidency very unpopular

Millard Fillmore

Results of the Election

Dred Scott Decision ★1857 Supreme Court Case: Dred Scott v. Sandford ○ Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom in court ■ His master moved to free state of Illinois and Wisconsin Territory and Scott believed he should have been freed due to the Missouri Compromise ■ With help of abolitionists his case made it to the Supreme Court ■ Chief Justice Roger B. Taney handed down the decision ● Taney was from a wealthy slave owning family in Maryland

Dred Scott Decision ★1857 Supreme Court Case: Dred Scott v. Sandford ○ Taney’s decision had two parts to it: ■ 1. Slaves were property, and could not sue in court ■ 2. The Missouri compromise was unconstitutional because Congress could not deprive a person of their property ○ ○ ○ Southerners celebrated the decision Northerners hated it--labeled it a Southern Conspiracy Pres. Buchanan fully endorsed it ■ Lobbied Taney to make the decision, called a doughboy Northerner with Southern sympathies

Dred Scott and Roger B. Taney

Lincoln-Douglas Debates ★A series of Debates for an Illinois Senate Seat in 1858 ★Stephen A. Douglas ○ A. k. a Little Giant ■ Short, round and full of energy ○ Sympathetic to slavery and backed popular sovereignty ■ Wife inherited slaves ○ Motives always questioned due to investment in railroads in western territories ○ “This Union was established on the right each State to do as it pleased on the question of slavery or any other question. ”

Stephen A. Douglas

Lincoln-Douglas Debates ★Abraham Lincoln ○ A. k. a “Honest Abe” ■ Built a reputation for integrity and directness ○ Seemed staunchly opposed to slavery, but most of his political career was trying to find a middle ground ○ In 1854, staunchly opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the expansion of slavery ○ Chief rival of Stephen A Douglas ★ Douglas would win the seat but only by a slim margin ★ Lincoln was able to build a national following, which would help next time he ran for national office

Abraham Lincoln

John Brown’s Raid and Execution ★ Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln felt that slavery needed to be solved within the nation’s laws ★ John Brown, however felt no ruch restrictions ○ John Brown viewed himself as an angel of God out to avenge slavery, even before Bleeding Kansas ○ Brown lost a son in Bleeding Kansas and it only strengthened his fanaticism ○ In Brown’s point of view violence was the only solution ★ Fall of 1859, John Brown set his sight on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia)

John Brown’s Raid and Execution ★ John Brown and his following of 21 men (which included his sons), attacked Harpers Ferry hoping to inspire nearby slaves and abolitionists to join the fight. ○ No one joined ○ Federal troops lead by Robert E. Lee surrounded the arsenal and arrested John Brown and a few of his followers ■ 2 more of John Brown’s sons were killed during the fray ★ John Brown was executed, he was viewed differently by many ○ Southerners increased temperature and suspicions ○ Northerners: some saw it as too far, others saw him as a martyr

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