1850s-RoadtoSecession

8/14/2019 1850s-RoadtoSecession

1/53


2/53

THE UNITED STATES IN 1850THE UNITED STATES IN 1850

Why 1850? - A good census wastaken; this tells us someimportant information about

the nation.


3/53

THE UNITED STATES IN 1850THE UNITED STATES IN 1850Characteristics of 1850 America:

16 non-slave states, 15 slave states; Kansas and Nebraska are still

territories;

23 million people, most living in ruralareas; 3.5 million blacks;

Largest population growth occurring inthe middle west, areas that were noteven states yet;

Agriculture still primary way of making

a living;


4/53

THE UNITED STATES IN 1850THE UNITED STATES IN 1850Forces of disharmony in 1850:

1. Local focus of most Americans: not generallyinterested in commonality of Americans;

2. Pluralism of America: people divided

religiously, ethnically (immigration on therise- 2 million Americans in 1850 not born inthe U.S.), etc.;

3. Sectionalism: nation divided North, South,

East, and West, and these divisions were realand serious. Sections divided in terms ofeconomic bases and political beliefs. Slaveryan important issue the divided the sections.


5/53

SlaverySlaveryEvery discussion of the causes of the Civil

War must begin here. Two crucial points:1.) the Civil War was not a war fought

over whether to eliminate slavery from

the nation;2.) slavery was a crucial catalyst thatbrought other issues to a point where warseemed necessary to many people.

In other words, slavery is not the cause ofthe Civil War, but without slavery, thewar would have been very unlikely.


6/53

SlaverySlavery

Slave population grew rapidly, as theinstitution grew:

1740's: 300,000 slaves1776: 500,0001800: 894,000

1850: 3,204,0001860: 3,954,000


7/53


8/53

SlaverySlaveryHow important was slavery? Clearly the big-time plantation owner was a rare

person, so why was slavery so important toSoutherners? 2 key factors:1.) nearly all Southerners wanted to be big-time

owners;2.) a rental system developed where large ownersrented slaves to small owners.

3.) racial solidarity

These factors combine to give a large portion of theSouth a stake in the system. When this stake iscombined with the economic impact of, andeventual reliance upon, slaves, the entrenchment

of the institution became virtually inevitable.


9/53

Territorial ExpansionTerritorial ExpansionSome have argued that if Southerners would have

been content to keep slavery in the states were ithad existed the Civil War would have beenunnecessary. Southerners were not so willing.A couple of major motivations for their desire toexpand were:

1.) to protect themselves politically from an anti-slave majority in the federal government;

2.) the possible wealth that could be obtained by

expanding their slave empire.Many Northerners wanted to ensure that slaverydid not spread- for economic, political, andmoral/ethical reasons. This set up the likelihood

of conflict as states were added to the union.


10/53

Missouri CompromiseMissouri CompromiseThe first major dispute over the addition of

territory to the union occurred in 1819-20 withthe possible addition of Missouri to the nation.

The number of free and slave states were equal(11 each), and neither side wanted to give theadvantage to the other.

At first there appeared to be a stalemate in thegovernment about how to add territory, but theimpasse was broken when Henry Clay helpedto work out a compromise:

Missouri would enter as a slave state,Maine as a free state,No new territory north of the 3630' line (except

Missouri itself) would be allowed to have

slavery.


11/53

Missouri CompromiseMissouri Compromise


12/53

Missouri CompromiseMissouri CompromiseA look at a map of the U.S. in 1820 (p. 248)

shows that there was not much land southof the 3630' line for the expansion ofslavery. Why would Southerners acceptthis compromise?

First, the general belief about much of theWest was that it was the Great AmericanDesert.

Additionally many Southerners hoped forthe expansion of the U.S. into land heldby Mexico (consider the later Mexican

War) and even the Caribbean islands.


13/53

Problems of Sectional Balance inProblems of Sectional Balance in18501850

California statehood. Southern fire-eaters threatening

secession. Underground RR & fugitive slaveissues:

* Personal liberty laws*Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842)


14/53

Territory from Mexico and theTerritory from Mexico and theCompromise of 1850Compromise of 1850

Many opposed the war with Mexico as aterritory grab that would play into thehands of the South and allow for the

extension of slavery. In 1846, Cong. David Wilmot introduced a

resolution to prohibit slavery from any

territory acquired from the Mexican War.The "Wilmot Proviso". The proviso wasdefeated, but the issue remained.


15/53

Territory from Mexico and theTerritory from Mexico and theCompromise of 1850Compromise of 1850

John C. Calhoun countered Wilmot by arguingthat the territories were the commonpossession of all Americans therefore allAmericans had the right to take their property

to the territories- including slaves. To prohibit slavery would be to deny

Americans their basic due process right of

possession of their property. Thus, the Bill ofRights guaranteed the right to possess slaves. These arguments were not adopted by

Congress either, but indicated future conflict.


16/53

Territory from Mexico and theTerritory from Mexico and the

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850Michigan Sen. Lewis Cass introduced a

middle option- Popular Sovereignty." Allow the citizens

of the territories to administer their ownaffairs. By a popular vote, they could

decide whether to have slavery.


17/53

Territory from Mexico and the Compromise of 1850Territory from Mexico and the Compromise of 1850

Another compromise produced by Henry Clay- The

Compromise of 1850. Among the important components of thiscompromise were:

the admission of Calif. as a free state; the organization of the rest of the southwest

without restriction as to slavery;end use of District of Columbia as slave depot;

more rigorous fugitive slave law passed.Compromise took 7 months of debate. Many

thought the issue of slavery and the territories was

finally settled. It was not to be so.


18/53

Compromise of 1850


19/53

1852 Presidential Election

Gen. Winfield Scott

Whig

John Parker Hale

Free Soil

Franklin PierceDemocrat


20/53

1852

ElectionResults


21/53

1856 Presidential

Election

James BuchananDemocrat

Millard

Fillmore

Whig

John C. FrmontRepublican


22/53

Kansas and NebraskaKansas and Nebraska

Many Northerners were anxious to buildMany Northerners were anxious to builda transcontinental railroad, and of coursea transcontinental railroad, and of coursethey wanted it built through the North.they wanted it built through the North.To do so, they needed to organizeTo do so, they needed to organize

territories in the West (Kansas andterritories in the West (Kansas andNebraska). Southerners were eager toNebraska). Southerners were eager tohave the railroad built through theirhave the railroad built through their

section, so another compromise appearssection, so another compromise appearsnecessary- of course slavery will be anecessary- of course slavery will be acrucial issue.crucial issue.


23/53


The Nebraska territory, where the railroadThe Nebraska territory, where the railroadwas most likely to go, was north of thewas most likely to go, was north of the3630'line established by the Missouri3630'line established by the Missouri

Compromise. To give their votes for lawsCompromise. To give their votes for lawsnecessary to organize Kansas and Nebraska,necessary to organize Kansas and Nebraska,Southern congressmen demanded the optionSouthern congressmen demanded the option

of expanding slavery into these areas.of expanding slavery into these areas.


24/53

Kansas and NebraskaKansas and Nebraska Stephen Douglas (D-Illinois) wrote a bill toStephen Douglas (D-Illinois) wrote a bill to

organize Kansas and Nebraska. Theorganize Kansas and Nebraska. The Kansas-Kansas-Nebraska ActNebraska Act, said the issue of slavery in the, said the issue of slavery in theterritories should be decided byterritories should be decided bypopularpopularsovereigntysovereignty..

Douglas thought he was avoiding conflict, since asDouglas thought he was avoiding conflict, since asKansas would most likely come in slave, being nextKansas would most likely come in slave, being nextto Missouri, and Nebraska would most likely cometo Missouri, and Nebraska would most likely comein free. This would keep the relative balancein free. This would keep the relative balancebetween the sections.between the sections.

However, there was no avoiding conflict overHowever, there was no avoiding conflict overslavery in the U.S. at this time.slavery in the U.S. at this time.


25/53

Stephen Douglas & theFreeport Doctrine

PopularSovereignty?


26/53

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854


27/53

Kansas and NebraskaKansas and Nebraska Many Northerners were furious over theMany Northerners were furious over the

Kansas-Nebraska Act, as it amounted to aKansas-Nebraska Act, as it amounted to arepeal of the Missouri Compromise. Evenrepeal of the Missouri Compromise. EvenNortherners who were not abolitionistsNortherners who were not abolitionistswere angry- the K-N Act represented awere angry- the K-N Act represented abreech of trust. If Southerners did notbreech of trust. If Southerners did notrespect the Missouri Compromise, thenrespect the Missouri Compromise, thenperhaps Northerners would not respectperhaps Northerners would not respect

the new, tougher fugitive slave law. Thethe new, tougher fugitive slave law. Thetenuous balance struck by thetenuous balance struck by theCompromise of 1850 had been destroyed.Compromise of 1850 had been destroyed.


28/53


The K-N Act destroyed the 2 partyThe K-N Act destroyed the 2 party

system that had existed to that time.system that had existed to that time.The Whig party fell apart over theThe Whig party fell apart over theslavery issue, and the Democratsslavery issue, and the Democrats

became more of a Southern party. Abecame more of a Southern party. Anew party emerged- the Republicans.new party emerged- the Republicans.


29/53

Kansas and NebraskaKansas and Nebraska Violence erupted in Kansas, between pro- and anti-Violence erupted in Kansas, between pro- and anti-

slavery forces.slavery forces. With popular sovereignty to decide the slavery issue,With popular sovereignty to decide the slavery issue,both sides sent as many people as they could to vote.both sides sent as many people as they could to vote.

These political opponents rapidly became warringThese political opponents rapidly became warring

factions, and terrorist activities began. Examples:factions, and terrorist activities began. Examples: Pro-slavery forces attacked the free-state town of Lawrence,Pro-slavery forces attacked the free-state town of Lawrence,

KS, destroying newspaper presses, and even training 5KS, destroying newspaper presses, and even training 5cannon on the Free State hotel, destroying it.cannon on the Free State hotel, destroying it.

These actions provoked an effort of revenge by John Brown.These actions provoked an effort of revenge by John Brown.Brown and four of his sons attacked a pro-slavery settlementBrown and four of his sons attacked a pro-slavery settlementat Pottawatomie Creek- they chopped 5 men to death, inat Pottawatomie Creek- they chopped 5 men to death, incold blood, with swords. This Pottawatomie Massacre setcold blood, with swords. This Pottawatomie Massacre set

off a running guerilla war.off a running guerilla war.

l di


30/53

Bleeding Kansas


31/53

John Brown: Madman, Hero or

Martyr?

K N b k A 1854


32/53

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854


33/53

The Crime Against

Kansas

Sen. CharlesSumner

(R-MA)

Congr. PrestonBrooks

(D-SC)


34/53

Kansas and NebraskaKansas and Nebraska The dispute over "Bleeding Kansas" even produced violenceThe dispute over "Bleeding Kansas" even produced violence

in the Congress.in the Congress.

During the debate over Kansas, Senators Charles SumnerDuring the debate over Kansas, Senators Charles Sumner(Mass.) and A.P. Butler (S. Car.) squared off. Sumner(Mass.) and A.P. Butler (S. Car.) squared off. Sumnerbecame particularly rude in his arguments, accusing Butlerbecame particularly rude in his arguments, accusing Butlerof taking a mistress (the mistress was slavery), and evenof taking a mistress (the mistress was slavery), and even

poked fun at Butler's speech defect that was the result of apoked fun at Butler's speech defect that was the result of astroke.stroke.

The cousin of Butler, Cong. Preston Brooks attacked SumnerThe cousin of Butler, Cong. Preston Brooks attacked Sumnerwhile Sumner sat at his desk, beating him mercilessly with awhile Sumner sat at his desk, beating him mercilessly with acane. Sumner suffered brain damage and never fullycane. Sumner suffered brain damage and never fully

recovered.recovered. Sumner became a martyr for the cause.Sumner became a martyr for the cause. Brooks was expelled from the House, but overwhelmingly reelected.Brooks was expelled from the House, but overwhelmingly reelected.

In fact, people from all across the South sent him canes to replace theIn fact, people from all across the South sent him canes to replace theone he broke over Sumner's skull, and perhaps to use on otherone he broke over Sumner's skull, and perhaps to use on other

abolitionists.abolitionists.


35/53


Out in Kansas, the problems continued. 2 separateOut in Kansas, the problems continued. 2 separate

governments were formed.governments were formed. When the territorial governor called for elections,When the territorial governor called for elections,thousands of "Border Ruffians" spilled over thethousands of "Border Ruffians" spilled over theborder with Missouri to throw the election to the pro-border with Missouri to throw the election to the pro-slavery forces. Created a pro-slavery (Lecompton)slavery forces. Created a pro-slavery (Lecompton)government.government.

Anti-slavery forces then refused to recognize the newAnti-slavery forces then refused to recognize the newgovernment. Held their own convention and electedgovernment. Held their own convention and electeda anti-slavery (Topeka) legislature.a anti-slavery (Topeka) legislature.

The controversy aggravated the fighting in KS and inThe controversy aggravated the fighting in KS and inWashington.Washington.

Kansas, by 1858, began to withdraw from theKansas, by 1858, began to withdraw from thenational stage as an active political dispute, butnational stage as an active political dispute, but

served as a sign of the looming civil war.served as a sign of the looming civil war.


36/53

Harriet

BeecherStowe

1811 - 1896

So this is the ladywho started the BigWar.

Abraham Lincoln
http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/fi/000000e7.jpg


37/53

Uncle TomsCabin

1852

Sold 300,000copies in firstyear.

2 millioncopies sold ina decade.

Bi th f th R bli


38/53

Birth of the RepublicanParty, 1854

Northern Whigs.Northern Democrats.

Free-Soilers.Know-Nothings.Other miscellaneous opponents of

the Kansas-Nebraska Act.


39/53

1856

ElectionResults

D d S tt S f d


40/53

Dred Scott v. Sanford,

1857


41/53

Dred Scot v. SanfordDred Scot v. Sanford

Dred Scott first went to trial to sue for hisDred Scott first went to trial to sue for hisfreedom in 1847. Ten years later, his casefreedom in 1847. Ten years later, his casewas finally brought before the United Stateswas finally brought before the United StatesSupreme Court.Supreme Court.

The court decided that all people of AfricanThe court decided that all people of Africanancestry -- slaves as well as those who wereancestry -- slaves as well as those who werefree -- could never become citizens of thefree -- could never become citizens of theUnited States and therefore could not sue inUnited States and therefore could not sue in

federal court.federal court. The court also ruled that the federalThe court also ruled that the federalgovernment did not have the power togovernment did not have the power toprohibit slavery in its territories. Scott,prohibit slavery in its territories. Scott,

needless to say, remained a slave.needless to say, remained a slave.


42/53

The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate)Debates, 1858

A House dividedagainst itself, cannot

stand.

J h B R id


43/53

John Browns Raidon Harpers Ferry, 1859


44/53

1860PresidentialElection

Abraham Lincoln

Republican

John C. Breckinridge

Southern Democrat

John Bell

Constitutional Union

Stephen A. Douglas

Northern Democrat


45/53

1860 Election: A Nation ComingApart?!


46/53

Republican Party Platform in 18601. Non-extension of slavery [for the Free-

Soilers].2. Protective tariff [for the No. Industrialists].3. No abridgment of rights for immigrants [a

disappointment for the Know-Nothings].4. Government aid to build a Pacific RR [forthe Northwest].

5. Internal improvements [for the West] at

federal expense.6. Free homesteads for the public domain [for

farmers].

l i f b h i l


47/53

1860 Election of Abraham Lincoln1860 Election of Abraham Lincoln The election of 1860 - a political mess.The election of 1860 - a political mess.

Sectional divisions over the slavery issuesSectional divisions over the slavery issuescausedcaused the Whig Party to die,the Whig Party to die,

the Democratic Party to split between thethe Democratic Party to split between thesections,sections,

a Free Soil Party to form, and, finally, aa Free Soil Party to form, and, finally, a

Republican Party to form from aRepublican Party to form from acombination of Whigs and Free Soilers.combination of Whigs and Free Soilers.

In the election of 1860, 4 parties wereIn the election of 1860, 4 parties were

re resented.re resented.

l f l1860 El i f Ab h Li l


48/53

Abraham Lincoln was the RepublicanAbraham Lincoln was the Republican

nominee.nominee. he had been a Whig,he had been a Whig,

had served in the Illinois legislature,had served in the Illinois legislature,

had served one term in Congress,had served one term in Congress, had made a good showing for himself in a Senatehad made a good showing for himself in a Senate

campaign (and legendary debates) against Stephencampaign (and legendary debates) against StephenDouglas.Douglas.

Lincoln won the election with 180 electoral votes,Lincoln won the election with 180 electoral votes,more than all the other candidates combined.more than all the other candidates combined.

His popular vote victory, however, was not nearly soHis popular vote victory, however, was not nearly sosubstantial.substantial.

1860 Election of Abraham Lincoln1860 Election of Abraham Lincoln



49/53

The key issue in this election- Lincoln won the electionThe key issue in this election- Lincoln won the electionwithout receiving a single electoral vote from thewithout receiving a single electoral vote from the

South.South. Not even on the ballot in states that would becomeNot even on the ballot in states that would become

Confederacy.Confederacy.

This outcome caused the South to feel as though it hadThis outcome caused the South to feel as though it hadno voice in the political structure of the U.S.no voice in the political structure of the U.S.

Previous presidents had insulated them fromPrevious presidents had insulated them fromalleged attempts to damage their rightsalleged attempts to damage their rights

8 of first 10- 12 of first 15- Presidents owned slaves.8 of first 10- 12 of first 15- Presidents owned slaves.

Lincoln could win without them, future presidentsLincoln could win without them, future presidentscould also. The South had been critical in the pastcould also. The South had been critical in the past

for presidential success- but no longer.for presidential success- but no longer.



50/53

1860

ElectionResults


51/53

Crittenden Compromise:A Last Ditch Appeal to Sanity

SenatorJohn J.Crittenden

(Know-Nothing-KY)

S i !


52/53

Secession!

F t S t A il 12 1861


53/53

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861

Documents

1850s-RoadtoSecession