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The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the

Emergence of the Republican PartyEmergence of the Republican Party

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The Missouri CompromiseThe Missouri Compromise

The debate over the Kansas-Nebraska and the subsequent The debate over the Kansas-Nebraska and the subsequent birth of the Republican Party can be traced back to the birth of the Republican Party can be traced back to the enactment of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. enactment of the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

The Missouri Compromise concerned the territory acquired The Missouri Compromise concerned the territory acquired from the Louisiana Purchase, which both expanded America's from the Louisiana Purchase, which both expanded America's land holdings, while also posing a threat to the delicate balance land holdings, while also posing a threat to the delicate balance achieved in Congress. achieved in Congress.

The dilemma began with the application of Missouri as a slave-The dilemma began with the application of Missouri as a slave-state. If admitted, Missouri would upset the even proportion of state. If admitted, Missouri would upset the even proportion of slave states and free states within the U.S. Senate. slave states and free states within the U.S. Senate.

Thus the Missouri Compromise was created which called for Thus the Missouri Compromise was created which called for the admittance of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free the admittance of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. state.

The balance was maintained, yet the vast territories were The balance was maintained, yet the vast territories were suddenly a problem. The Missouri Compromise addressed suddenly a problem. The Missouri Compromise addressed such issues, prohibiting slavery above the 36 30 latitude line. such issues, prohibiting slavery above the 36 30 latitude line.

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The New Territories and the The New Territories and the Wilmot ProvisoWilmot Proviso

The expansion of the American territories grew The expansion of the American territories grew considerably after the War with Mexico. considerably after the War with Mexico.

Concerned with ensuring prohibition of slavery in the Concerned with ensuring prohibition of slavery in the newly acquired territories, David Wilmot, a politician newly acquired territories, David Wilmot, a politician from Pennsylvania proposed before Congress the from Pennsylvania proposed before Congress the Wilmot Proviso. Wilmot Proviso.

This provision called for a prohibition in the territories This provision called for a prohibition in the territories recently acquired from Mexico. recently acquired from Mexico.

While the Wilmot Proviso was passed by the House While the Wilmot Proviso was passed by the House in 1846, it was rejected by the Senate. Proposed in 1846, it was rejected by the Senate. Proposed again in 1847, the Proviso was yet again rejected by again in 1847, the Proviso was yet again rejected by the Senate.the Senate.

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Southerners were enraged with the growing Southerners were enraged with the growing abolitionist sentiment embodied in the Wilmot abolitionist sentiment embodied in the Wilmot Proviso. Proviso.

In reaction, the outspoken and pro-slavery Senator In reaction, the outspoken and pro-slavery Senator from South Carolina, John C. Calhoun issued his from South Carolina, John C. Calhoun issued his "Southern Address". "Southern Address". ““Such then being the case, it would be to insult you to Such then being the case, it would be to insult you to

suppose you could hesitate. To destroy the existing relation suppose you could hesitate. To destroy the existing relation between the free and servile races at the Southbetween the free and servile races at the South would lead would lead to consequences unparalleled in history.”to consequences unparalleled in history.”

The address, in defense of slavery, calls for a The address, in defense of slavery, calls for a uniting of the southern states in order to defend uniting of the southern states in order to defend what Calhoun deemed their "right" to own slaves. what Calhoun deemed their "right" to own slaves.

The address seems to indicate that Calhoun, The address seems to indicate that Calhoun, representing Southern interests, viewed the representing Southern interests, viewed the southern slave states as the actual victims of the southern slave states as the actual victims of the northern abolitionists. northern abolitionists.

Calhoun claimed the Proviso unconstitutional, Calhoun claimed the Proviso unconstitutional, ushering in debate concerning the constitutionality of ushering in debate concerning the constitutionality of anti-slavery laws in the new territories.anti-slavery laws in the new territories.

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The debate that followed the proposal The debate that followed the proposal of the Wilmot Proviso in the late of the Wilmot Proviso in the late 1840's was finally resolved through a 1840's was finally resolved through a series of enactments that came to be series of enactments that came to be known as the Compromise of 1850. known as the Compromise of 1850.

Originally drafted by Henry Clay, Originally drafted by Henry Clay, senator from Kentucky and ultimately senator from Kentucky and ultimately revised by Stephen Douglas, senator revised by Stephen Douglas, senator from Illinois, the Compromise brought from Illinois, the Compromise brought a temporary end to the slavery a temporary end to the slavery question which was causing much question which was causing much strain within Congress. strain within Congress.

However, this alleviation was merely However, this alleviation was merely temporary, as discontent over the temporary, as discontent over the Compromise flourished, particularly Compromise flourished, particularly among abolitionists. among abolitionists.

The Compromise of 1850The Compromise of 1850

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The Compromise of 1850 The Compromise of 1850 began in 1849 with the newly began in 1849 with the newly acquired California wishing to acquired California wishing to be admitted as a free state. be admitted as a free state.

This admittance, much like the This admittance, much like the earlier application of Missouri, earlier application of Missouri, would upset the balance of would upset the balance of slave and free state slave and free state representatives in Congress. representatives in Congress.

To resolve the issue, Clay To resolve the issue, Clay created a series of resolutions created a series of resolutions he wished to be adopted by he wished to be adopted by Congress. Congress.

While not all of his plan was While not all of his plan was not accepted in full, the not accepted in full, the subsequent Compromise of subsequent Compromise of 1850, spearheaded by 1850, spearheaded by Douglas, was approved. Douglas, was approved.

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This Compromise called This Compromise called for the admittance of for the admittance of California as a free state, California as a free state, with slavery granted in with slavery granted in the territories acquired the territories acquired recently from Mexico. recently from Mexico.

Such provisions directly Such provisions directly contradicted certain contradicted certain tenets of the Missouri tenets of the Missouri Compromise, resulting in Compromise, resulting in discontent among many discontent among many northerners.northerners.

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A New Party is BornA New Party is Born Discontent was increasing as fears Discontent was increasing as fears

of further pro-slavery legislation of further pro-slavery legislation flourished. flourished.

Salmon Chase of Ohio spearheaded Salmon Chase of Ohio spearheaded a movement protesting the pro-a movement protesting the pro-slavery Democrats. slavery Democrats.

In January of 1854, Chase published In January of 1854, Chase published his "Appeal of the Independent his "Appeal of the Independent Democrat", in which he expresses Democrat", in which he expresses discontent with an act recently discontent with an act recently proposed in Congress which called proposed in Congress which called for the splitting of the Nebraska for the splitting of the Nebraska territory into two and allowing slavery territory into two and allowing slavery in one of the new territories. in one of the new territories.

Such sentiment led to the Such sentiment led to the development of a new political party.development of a new political party.

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Social dissatisfaction with pro-Social dissatisfaction with pro-slavery legislation quickly slavery legislation quickly escalated into political action. escalated into political action.

Even before the Kansas-Even before the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in Nebraska Act was passed in May of 1854, it was becoming May of 1854, it was becoming evident that a new political party evident that a new political party was necessary in order to was necessary in order to counter the pro-slavery counter the pro-slavery legislation being passed by the legislation being passed by the Southern Democrats. Southern Democrats.

Just prior to the passing of the Just prior to the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, on Kansas-Nebraska Act, on February 28, 1854, a meeting February 28, 1854, a meeting was held in Ripon, Wisconsin was held in Ripon, Wisconsin and organized by Alvan Bovay. and organized by Alvan Bovay.

The meeting consisted of The meeting consisted of Conscience Whigs, Free Soil Conscience Whigs, Free Soil members, and Abolitionist members, and Abolitionist Democrats. Democrats.

The meeting expressed the need The meeting expressed the need for a new political party and for a new political party and coined it Republican. coined it Republican.

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The Kansas-Nebraska ActThe Kansas-Nebraska Act The slavery debate culminated with the proposal of the Kansas-The slavery debate culminated with the proposal of the Kansas-

Nebraska Act in late May of 1854.Nebraska Act in late May of 1854. Although slavery was not necessarily the only issue at hand. Although slavery was not necessarily the only issue at hand. Proposed by Stephen Douglas, the Kansas-Nebraska Act centered Proposed by Stephen Douglas, the Kansas-Nebraska Act centered

on a notion proposed by Douglas, that of "Popular Sovereignty."on a notion proposed by Douglas, that of "Popular Sovereignty."

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The Kansas-Nebraska Act concerned the land The Kansas-Nebraska Act concerned the land which had previously been decided upon by the which had previously been decided upon by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Missouri Compromise of 1820.

The act succeeded in dividing the region The act succeeded in dividing the region (displayed as tan in the map below) into two (displayed as tan in the map below) into two territories, the Kansas Territory (south of the territories, the Kansas Territory (south of the 40th parallel) and the Nebraska Territory (North 40th parallel) and the Nebraska Territory (North of the 40th parallel). of the 40th parallel).

Slavery was to be decided on by the people of Slavery was to be decided on by the people of the Kansas Territory, hence the notion of the Kansas Territory, hence the notion of popular sovereignty. popular sovereignty.

Slavery was to be prohibited in the Nebraska Slavery was to be prohibited in the Nebraska Territory. Such an act clearly abolished the Territory. Such an act clearly abolished the Missouri Compromise, which called for a Missouri Compromise, which called for a complete prohibition of slavery north of the 36 30 complete prohibition of slavery north of the 36 30 latitude line.latitude line.

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Douglas' role in the passing of the Kansas-Douglas' role in the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act can be seen as an example of his Nebraska Act can be seen as an example of his keen compromising skills. keen compromising skills.

The Act was a result of a compromise with The Act was a result of a compromise with southern senators concerning the ever-growing southern senators concerning the ever-growing railroad industry. railroad industry.

Douglas, senator from Illinois, desired a railroad Douglas, senator from Illinois, desired a railroad line to pass through Chicago on its journey to line to pass through Chicago on its journey to the Pacific Coast. Southern senators, on the the Pacific Coast. Southern senators, on the other hand, wished the railroad line to begin in other hand, wished the railroad line to begin in New Orleans and continue on to southern New Orleans and continue on to southern California. California.

As a result, Douglas proposed the Kansas-As a result, Douglas proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act in exchange for the agreement of Nebraska Act in exchange for the agreement of the southern Senators to a railroad through the southern Senators to a railroad through Chicago.Chicago.

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Reaction to the Kansas-Reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act: OppositionNebraska Act: Opposition

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The enactment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act The enactment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in dissent and dissatisfaction among the resulted in dissent and dissatisfaction among the Northern Abolitionists. Northern Abolitionists.

While the Democratic Party was largely pro-While the Democratic Party was largely pro-slavery, anti-slavery factions did exist, as well as slavery, anti-slavery factions did exist, as well as those abolitionists left over from the Whig party. those abolitionists left over from the Whig party.

An editorial from the Evening Journal, a New An editorial from the Evening Journal, a New York Whig newspaper, displays the northern York Whig newspaper, displays the northern outrage immediately following the enactment of outrage immediately following the enactment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

““The crime is committed. The work of Monroe, and The crime is committed. The work of Monroe, and Madison, and Jefferson, is undone. The wall they Madison, and Jefferson, is undone. The wall they erected to guard the domain of Liberty, is flung down erected to guard the domain of Liberty, is flung down by the hands of an American Congress, and Slavery by the hands of an American Congress, and Slavery crawls, like a slimy reptile over the ruins, to defile a crawls, like a slimy reptile over the ruins, to defile a second eden.”second eden.”

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Abraham Lincoln, then a lawyer in Illinois, issued Abraham Lincoln, then a lawyer in Illinois, issued an address in October of 1854 in response to an address in October of 1854 in response to the Act. the Act.

The rather moving speech, served to rally the The rather moving speech, served to rally the northern cause against the clearly pro-slavery northern cause against the clearly pro-slavery Kansas-Nebraska Act. Kansas-Nebraska Act.

In the address, Lincoln admonishes the In the address, Lincoln admonishes the institution of slavery, setting the stage for the institution of slavery, setting the stage for the emerging abolitionist movement.emerging abolitionist movement.

““Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’” Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’”

At the hazzard of being thought one of the fools of this At the hazzard of being thought one of the fools of this quotation, I meet that argument--I rush in, I take that quotation, I meet that argument--I rush in, I take that bull by the horns.”bull by the horns.”

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Reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act: Reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act: The New England Emigrant Aid CompanyThe New England Emigrant Aid Company

Eli Thayer of Massachusetts organized The New Eli Thayer of Massachusetts organized The New England Emigrant Aid Company in reaction to England Emigrant Aid Company in reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

The notion of popular sovereignty espoused in The notion of popular sovereignty espoused in the act incited Thayer to create an organization the act incited Thayer to create an organization that would encourage the emigration of New that would encourage the emigration of New England abolitionists to Kansas in order to vote England abolitionists to Kansas in order to vote against slavery. against slavery.

The following speech by Gerrit Smith of the New The following speech by Gerrit Smith of the New England Emigrant Aid Company outlines the England Emigrant Aid Company outlines the goals of the organization, while describing the goals of the organization, while describing the situation that was arising in Kansas.situation that was arising in Kansas.

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Reaction to the Kansas-Reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act: SupportNebraska Act: Support

Southern reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act was Southern reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act was largely supportive. largely supportive.

Debow's Review, a southern journal largely dedicated to Debow's Review, a southern journal largely dedicated to agricultural and political issues, printed the following agricultural and political issues, printed the following article entitled "Kansas Matters" in May of 1856. article entitled "Kansas Matters" in May of 1856.

The article encourages southerners to relocate to The article encourages southerners to relocate to Kansas for many of the same reasons northern Kansas for many of the same reasons northern abolitionists wished to, largely to influence the vote on abolitionists wished to, largely to influence the vote on slavery.slavery.

““Missouri has done nobly, thus far, in overcoming the thousands Missouri has done nobly, thus far, in overcoming the thousands who have been sent out by Abolition Aid Societies; we cannot who have been sent out by Abolition Aid Societies; we cannot hold out much longer unless the whole South will come to the hold out much longer unless the whole South will come to the rescue. We need men; we need money; send us both, and that rescue. We need men; we need money; send us both, and that quickly. Do not delay; come as individuals, come in companies, quickly. Do not delay; come as individuals, come in companies, come by thousands.” come by thousands.”

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The Building of the The Building of the Republican PartyRepublican Party

The fledgling Republican Party held its first state The fledgling Republican Party held its first state convention in Jackson, Michigan in July of 1854. convention in Jackson, Michigan in July of 1854.

The Republicans easily took the state and The Republicans easily took the state and quickly adopted a platform consisting largely of quickly adopted a platform consisting largely of anti-slavery themes. anti-slavery themes.

In February of 1856 the Republicans met in In February of 1856 the Republicans met in Pittsburgh for the first national organization Pittsburgh for the first national organization meeting of the party, followed by the meeting of the party, followed by the Republican's first nominating convention in Republican's first nominating convention in Philadelphia on June 17, 1856 Philadelphia on June 17, 1856

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Expounding the views Expounding the views of the Republicans of the Republicans was Horace Greeley.was Horace Greeley.

A newspaper editor A newspaper editor and founder of the and founder of the widely popular New widely popular New York Tribune. York Tribune.

Encouraged by the Encouraged by the ideals of the ideals of the Republicans, Greeley Republicans, Greeley did much to lend did much to lend credibility and credibility and publicity to the publicity to the Republican cause.Republican cause.

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Increasing Support for the Republican Party Increasing Support for the Republican Party and the Assault on Charles Sumnerand the Assault on Charles Sumner

Charles Sumner, Senator from Charles Sumner, Senator from Massachusetts and fierce critic of the Massachusetts and fierce critic of the Kansas-Nebraska Act addressed the Kansas-Nebraska Act addressed the Senate with his speech entitled "The Senate with his speech entitled "The Crime Against Kansas". Crime Against Kansas".

A brilliant writer and orator, Sumner's A brilliant writer and orator, Sumner's speech specifically attacked Stephen speech specifically attacked Stephen Douglas and Senator Andrew Butler Douglas and Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina. of South Carolina.

Using graphic language, Sumner's Using graphic language, Sumner's argument was harsh and argument was harsh and uncompromising. uncompromising.

““But the slave power dares any thing; But the slave power dares any thing; and it can be conquered only by the and it can be conquered only by the united masses of the people. From united masses of the people. From Congress to the People I appeal.” Congress to the People I appeal.”

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Sumner's address was not Sumner's address was not received well by southerners. received well by southerners.

On May 22, Preston Brooks, On May 22, Preston Brooks, cousin of Butler and cousin of Butler and Congressman from South Congressman from South Carolina entered the Senate Carolina entered the Senate chambers, outraged by chambers, outraged by Sumner's words. Sumner's words.

Brooks proceeded to violently Brooks proceeded to violently attack Sumner, beating him attack Sumner, beating him mercilessly with a cane. mercilessly with a cane.

When the attack finally ended, When the attack finally ended, Sumner was badly injured.Sumner was badly injured.

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The assault sent shockwaves throughout the country. The assault sent shockwaves throughout the country. Outraged by the attack, Republicans solidified their base Outraged by the attack, Republicans solidified their base

by rehashing the details of the attack exhaustively in by rehashing the details of the attack exhaustively in newspapers. newspapers.

Increased support for the party was a direct result of the Increased support for the party was a direct result of the attack of Charles Sumner. attack of Charles Sumner.

Americans were shocked by the event and many found it Americans were shocked by the event and many found it inappropriate for members of government to act in such inappropriate for members of government to act in such ways. ways.

The following newspaper articles describe the attack and The following newspaper articles describe the attack and display the attempt of the writers to unite Republicans display the attempt of the writers to unite Republicans and would-be Republicans to their side.and would-be Republicans to their side. ““No meaner exhibition of Southern cowardice -- generally No meaner exhibition of Southern cowardice -- generally

miscalled Southern chivalry -- was ever witnessed….It is miscalled Southern chivalry -- was ever witnessed….It is reduced to a question whether there is to be any more liberty of reduced to a question whether there is to be any more liberty of speech south of Mason and Dixon's line, even in the ten miles speech south of Mason and Dixon's line, even in the ten miles square of the District of Columbia. South of that, liberty has long square of the District of Columbia. South of that, liberty has long since departed;”since departed;”

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Civil War in KansasCivil War in Kansas The Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in the emigration of The Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in the emigration of

many Americans to the region in order to affect the vote many Americans to the region in order to affect the vote concerning the legality of slavery in Kansas. concerning the legality of slavery in Kansas.

The pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups violently clashed The pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups violently clashed between the time the act was passed and 1858. between the time the act was passed and 1858.

Called "border ruffians" by their Northern counterparts, Called "border ruffians" by their Northern counterparts, southern pro-slavery factions, largely from Missouri, southern pro-slavery factions, largely from Missouri, fought heavily with northern abolitionists, particularly fought heavily with northern abolitionists, particularly those associated with the New England Emigrant Aid those associated with the New England Emigrant Aid Company. Company.

Of major concern was the electing of the territorial Of major concern was the electing of the territorial legislation in the Kansas territory. legislation in the Kansas territory.

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R.H. Wilson, a self-proclaimed R.H. Wilson, a self-proclaimed "border ruffian" published a "border ruffian" published a biography in which he discusses biography in which he discusses in detail the sack of Lawrence in detail the sack of Lawrence which immediately followed the which immediately followed the attack of Charles Sumner. attack of Charles Sumner.

The sack, which resulted in the The sack, which resulted in the surrender of the anti-slavery surrender of the anti-slavery faction in Lawrence, resulted in faction in Lawrence, resulted in the burning of the city, as is the burning of the city, as is depicted in the picture . depicted in the picture .

Of special note within Wilson's Of special note within Wilson's account is the mention of Davy account is the mention of Davy Atchison, the U.S. Senator from Atchison, the U.S. Senator from Missouri. Missouri.

Such a mention of Atchison's Such a mention of Atchison's involvement in the civil war in involvement in the civil war in Kansas displays the rather "wild Kansas displays the rather "wild west" atmosphere of the time; west" atmosphere of the time; Atchison, considered to be a Atchison, considered to be a distinguished Senator, was also distinguished Senator, was also the commander of the unit which the commander of the unit which attacked Lawrence.attacked Lawrence.

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The Election of 1856The Election of 1856 The Presidential election of The Presidential election of

1856 saw the first Republican 1856 saw the first Republican Presidential nominee on the Presidential nominee on the ballot. ballot.

John Fremont, an ex-military John Fremont, an ex-military officer and Senator from officer and Senator from California from 1850-1851, California from 1850-1851, was the first Presidential was the first Presidential candidate to run on an candidate to run on an abolitionist platform.abolitionist platform.

The Republican platform of The Republican platform of 1856 expounds the views of 1856 expounds the views of the Republican party the Republican party concerning the crisis in Kansas concerning the crisis in Kansas as well as the Republican's as well as the Republican's views on slavery.views on slavery.

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While Fremont ultimately lost to the Democratic candidate James While Fremont ultimately lost to the Democratic candidate James Buchanan, the returns were largely positive for the Republicans, Buchanan, the returns were largely positive for the Republicans, setting the stage for an era of Republican victory. setting the stage for an era of Republican victory.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act as well as other pro-slavery legislation The Kansas-Nebraska Act as well as other pro-slavery legislation led to the emergence of a strengthened Republican party, which let led to the emergence of a strengthened Republican party, which let ultimately to the Civil War.ultimately to the Civil War.