Slavery Dominates Politics Beginning of the Civil War

Slavery Dominates Politics (Beginning of the Civil War Notes Part 1)

Slavery Dominated Politics • Dred Scott v. Sanford – Dred Scott was a slave – F. A. Sanford was his owner – Sanford took Scott to a free territory and then back to Missouri – Scott sued Sanford for his freedom saying that he was taken to a free state, which made him free – Supreme court ruled in favor of Sanford saying that African Americans were “a subordinate and inferior class of beings, ” and, “[Africans had] no rights which the white man was bound to respect” • Africans Americans were not citizens and therefore could not sue

Lincoln-Douglas Debates • Lincoln challenged Douglas to 7 debates in Illinois • Douglas accepted the Challenge • Both skirted the line of the slavery issue

Lincoln-Douglas Debates • • Stephen Douglas – Nickname: Little Giant • Height: 4’ 6” – Went to College in New York and became a Lawyer – Demeanor: Short stocky man who spoke with enthusiasm – Slavery Stance: Popular Sovereignty • Popular Sovereignty would allow slavery to go away on its own Abraham Lincoln – Nickname: Honest Abe • Height: 6’ 4” – Self-educated – Demeanor: tall and gangly man who spoke and dressed plainly – Slavery Stance: “The Union can not survive half slave and half free” • Slavery was immoral Alton, Illinois

Passions Erupt • • Panic of 1857 1858 the year of talk 1859 the year of action Harpers Ferry – John Brown and 18 men tried to seize the federal arsenal in the town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and this distribute those weapons to the slaves in Virginia and start a slave revolt – Colonel Robert E. Lee stopped the rebellion, captured John Brown, and killed 10 of his men in the battle – 2 months later John Brown hanged for treason What other event did John Brown lead?

Election of 1860 – 4 Canindates • Democratic Party Split between the Northern Democrats and the Southern Democrats – Northern: Stephen a Douglas – Popular Sovereignty – Southern: John C. Brekinridge – upheld slavery • Republican Party – Abraham Lincoln – all territories be free • Constitutional Union Party – John Bell – constitution reform platform

Lincoln becomes President • Lincoln did not win a single southern or border state • Because the Democrats split, Lincoln was able to receive all the republican votes and win

Southern Secession • Since an abolitionist won, the south felt like it has lost its power to influence politics – What is an abolitionist? • On December 1860, South Carolina was the first state to withdraw from the Union and other southern states follow • Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas

Confederate States of America • Confederate Constitution stressed that each state was “sovereign and independent” • Elected Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederacy

Calm Before the Storm • President Buchanan said it was illegal for the south to secede and it was illegal for him to do anything about it. • President’s cabinet resigned • Government officials in Washington DC resigned • Union appeared to be dissolving • Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President in March of 1861 and reunified the North