Ch.15 : Dealing with that “Peculiar Institution"

1. Ch.15 : Dealing with that “Peculiar Institution" • What are some basic lifestyle differences between the North and South? • Was the Wilmot Proviso effective in settling the question of slavery in lands gained from Mexico? Why? • What were the roles of the major players in the Compromise of 1850? • What were the terms of the Compromise, and who do you think got the “best” of it?

2. ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!! • NORTH- Immigration, factories, cities, no slavery, diversity, east to west infrastructure. SOUTH- Planter controlled, thinly spread population, slavery, no industrial base, King Cotton. • God no!! Northerners were suspicious of slavery’s extension, southerners shot it down based on property laws. Gave rise to the Free Soil party.

3. - Pres. Taylor- Urged a free statehood for California quickly. Henry Clay (Ky)- Great Compromiser, trying to keep conflict away one more time. Dan Webster (Mass)- Unionist, so please approve the thing! Stephen Douglas (Illinois)- Pushed it through for same reason.

4. THE COMPROMISE of 1850 • -California admitted as a free state • -Slave trade abolished in nation’s capital • Congress may pass no laws regarding slavery in the Mexican cession. • Congress will pass a strong fugitive slave law. • As to whether it’s more favorable to North or South, that’s on you!

5. Kansas- Nebraska Act 1854 • Stephen Douglas- Popular sovereignty should decide the slavery question in those two territories. • Invalidated the Missouri Compromise of 1820, since much of that land is above 36 degrees latitude. • Nebraska would likely be free, but Kansas… had settlers from both sides rushing there. Chaos ruled, with violence. Proslave folks attacked and “took” Lawrence, Kansas. John Brown, Ohio bred abolitionist, exacts some revenge.( “Bleeding Kansas” )

6. Republican Party Forms 1856 What happened that this party was formed in response to? What was its major platform? What region supported it? Why did they run Fremont in ’56 for President?

7. ANSWERS!!!!!!!!! • -Kansas Nebraska Act- Southern Whigs supported Act, Northerners against, since they didn’t want slavery. • It was against the spread of slavery. Extremist were for its abolition. • The North- DUH!! (And West) • He was a non-controversial newbie who supported new free states. Democrat Buchanan won, a bad move, as he did NOTHING about the issue of slavery.

8. Dred Scot Decision 1857 The case- The verdict- The importance-

9. ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!! • Missouri slave, taken to Minnesota on business. When returned, Scot sued for freedom, arguing that he was taken to a free state and is therefore free. • REJECTED! “ You aren’t a citizen, therefore can’t even sue! Oh, and plus, you’re property. If I take my Beanie Baby to another state, it’s still my Beanie Baby.”- Roger Taney, Chief Justice • Slavery can technically exist EVERYWHERE!!!!

10. Lincoln Douglas Debates 1858 • What office were they running for? • What was Lincoln’s position on slavery in the U.S.? (Philosophically AND politically) • What was Douglas’ take on slavery’s expansion? • If Douglas won the election, why is this thing huge for Lincoln?

11. ANSWERS!!!!!!!!! • U.S. Senate from Illinois • He was against the institution, thought it immoral, but professed to leave it where it is, undisturbed. He was opposed to its EXPANSION. He thought it would eventually die out. • He was for popular sovereignty deciding the fate of slavery. It was the most democratic way to solve the problem. • The debates put the spotlight on Abe, and he emerged as a bright light in the young Republican party. Articulate, calm, with a presence, he would run again, for President, 2 years later with different results.

12. Harper's Ferry 1859 • In one sentence, what was John Brown’s plan? • Was it successful? The answer is NO- Explain. • Was it successful? The answer is YES- Explain.

13. Answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • Brown and his followers, some who were free blacks from Oberlin, planned to capture the weapons arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, and then arm local slaves around there in an attempt to foment a wide scale rebellion. (Whew!) • They were captured themselves after a one day standoff with U.S. Colonel Robert E. Lee and his forces. Brown was executed for treason a couple months later. • His execution gave antislavery people everywhere a martyr, a rallying point for the continuation of their abolitionist aims.

14. John Brown- Terrorist or Martyr?

15. Election of 1860 -Study the Election of 1860 map, page 457. Draw 4 conclusions from the map and its legend. Consider geography, numbers of both popular and electoral votes, and names and known platforms of candidates.

16. Secession- War Is Imminent! -Who was President when the first states seceded? What did he do about it? - How did many Southerners justify secession? -What were major differences between our Constitution and the Confederate States of America’s? - Did Lincoln express anger over or threaten the South for its decision to secede? How do you know?

17. Answers!!!!!!!!!! • Buchanan, and he expressed dissatisfaction with it, but felt hamstrung to do anything about it. He actually claimed that the Constitution didn’t empower him to deal with it! • They claimed that they entered the Union voluntarily, and should be able to leave it. They also dredged up states’ rights and nullification as well. • - It gave its blessing to slavery and emphasized states’ rights as every bit as important as national powers. It is, after all, a Confederation. • No. Page 459,especially his quote, explains.