15.3 Challenges to Slavery

1. 15.3 Challenges to Slavery

2. A New Political Party • After the Kansas-Nebraska Act The Democratic and Whig Parties began to divide along sectional lines • In 1854, anti-slavery Whigs and Democrats joined with the Free-Soil Party to form the Republican party • The goal was, “for the establishment of liberty, and the overthrow of the Slave Power.” • Their main goal was to end slavery in the territories • The Republicans grew in power quickly winning the majority of seats in the House of Representatives in 1854 • The Democratic Party was becoming a southern party

3. A New Political Party • The Election of 1856 • The Whigs had fallen apart and did not nominate a candidate for president • John C. Fremont was the Republican candidate • “Free soil, free speech, Fremont,’ was their slogan

4. A New Political Party • James Buchanan was the Democrat nominee • From PA • Former member of Congress • Believed in popular sovereignty • The American Party (AKA – Know Nothings) • Anti-Catholic and immigrant political party • Nominated Millard Fillmore (president after Zachary Taylor) • Voting was almost completely along sectional lines

5. The Dred Scott Decision • Two days after President Buchanan took office the Dred Scott case was decided • Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri • His owner moved to Illinois , a free state, and then Wisconsin , a free territory • Later moved back to Missouri • Dred Scott sued for his freedom since he had lived in free territories.

6. The Dred Scott Decision • The Court’s Decision • Dred Scott was a slave, not a citizen • Since not a citizen could not bring a law suit • Also said that slaves are property and Congress cannot take property without due process • Also said that Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories • He even said that popular sovereignty was unconstitutional since it equaled taking away someone’s property • The Constitution protected slavery

7. The Dred Scott Decision • Reaction to the Decision • Southerners were ecstatic • It supported what they always claimed, nothing could legally stop the spread of slavery • Republicans and anti-slavery supporters believed it was a, “wicked and false judgment,” and ,”the greatest crime,” by our nation’s court

8. The Dred Scott Decision • Lincoln and Douglas • 1858 Senatorial election in Illinois • Stephen Douglas • current Democratic Senator • possible presidential candidate in 1860 • Known as the little giant • Disliked slavery, but wanted to preserve the union more • Abraham Lincoln • virtually unknown Republican candidate • Ran for office multiple times and lost • Knew that morally slavery was wrong and shouldn’t be allowed to spread

9. The Dred Scott Decision • The Lincoln –Douglas Debates • Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of (7)debates • Douglas’ responses in Freeport Illinois became known as the Freeport doctrine • Reacting to the Dred Scott case and pop. Sovereignty • People could pass laws that did not protect slave holder’s rights • Anti-slavery people were please • Cost him votes of the south

10. The Dred Scott Decision • The Lincoln –Douglas Debates • Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of (7)debates • Douglas accused Lincoln of thinking black were equal to whites • Lincoln denied this • Lincoln said blacks were his equal in eating the bread that his own hand made • He and the Republican Party think that slavery is wrong • Douglas won the election BUT • Lincoln’s reputation grew

11. The Raid on Harper’s Ferry • Tension growing after the election 1858 • Southerners nervous about growing strength of the Republican Party • 10/16/59, John Brown w/18 men, black and white • Attacked a arsenal in Harper’s Ferry Virginia • They were financed by other abolitionists • Captured, convicted and executed • Some people denounced the violence • Others thought of Brown as a hero and martyr • The south saw this as a northern conspiracy