Slavery Divides the Nation The agitation in the

Slavery Divides the Nation “The agitation in the subject of slavery would, if not prevented by some timely and effective measure, end in disunion. ” -John Calhoun

Views on Slavery n Northern Views n n n Abolished in most states Blacks seen as inferior Few rights Laws limited black migration Whites had very little contact with blacks A minority supported abolition n Southern Views: n n Believed that God had intended for blacks to do the laboring for whites Said that wage labor in the North was worse that slavery in the South n Slaves were happier and healthier than northern wage earners

The Election of 1848 n n Big Issue: should slavery be allowed in new western territories? New Party: Free-Soilers vowed to keep slavery out of the new territories n n Nominate Martin Van Buren who takes votes away from the Democrats and Whigs embrace popular sovereignty (let states decide issue of slavery…not Congress) n n Whigs nominate Zachary Taylor, wins Democrats nominate Lewis Cass

A Compromise Avoids Crisis n California wants to be a free state but that would allow free states to outnumber slave states in the Senate (threatens slavery) n n South is already upset that the Fugitive Slave Law is not being enforced Clay brings forth a compromise that would appease the North and South

Compromise of 1850 n n Congress would admit California as a free state (North happy) Utah and Mexico would use popular sovereignty to decide slavery Slave trade in Washington, DC would end The Fugitive Slave Act would require that private citizens aid in the returning of runaway slaves or be fined/imprisoned (South happy)

THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW “A Covenant with Death, An Agreement with Hell” William Lloyd Garrison –

Repercussions of the Fugitive Slave Act n n Caused northern hostility Accused had no right to a trial or testify in court (judges were paid more to favor with slave owners) Everyone is a slave catcher Unintentionally increased Northern involvement in the Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad n n n Ran by Northerners and free blacks Informal but well organized Transported runaways to the North or Canada “Conductors” lead the way Provided shelter, food and money Harriet Tubman, “Black Moses” n n n Fugitive slave Led her people out of bondage Deepened southern distrust

Uncle Tom’s Cabin n n Published by Harriet Beecher Stowe Showed the horrors of slavery Showed African Americans as real people Infuriated the South n n Wrote their own books about the advantages of slavery Spread compassion through the North

Kansas-Nebraska Act n n Senator Douglas wants popular sovereignty to be used in Nebraska but the South feared that Nebraska would choose to be free (balance must be kept) Douglas divides Nebraska into Kansas n n Intention was for Kansas to be a slave state and Nebraska a free state Did this go against the Missouri Compromise?

“Bleeding Kansas” n n Northerners and Southerners rushed to claim the territory Kansas had 2 governments n n One anti-slavery and one proslavery Disputes become violent when the town of Lawrence was attacked John Brown (abolitionists) executes 5 proslavery settlers, condemned by abolitionists n 1 st time blood has been shed over slavery! n n Civil war between proslavery and antislavery settlers n Popular sovereignty will not work

Violence in the Senate n n Abolitionist Charles Sumner stirred trouble when he delivered a speech about Kansas and also insulted Andrew Butler’s nephew, Brooks attacked Sumner in the Senate with a cane n n Brutally attacks him Sumner did not recover for nearly three years Could that happen today? (Obama Congress meeting) Shows the division (sectionalism) between the North and South