A Nation Breaks Apart

1. A Nation Breaks Apart Ch. 15 Notes

2. The Great Divide • Besides views of slavery, economies of Northern & Southern states differed drastically. • Both sides had small farms, but Northern states developed and relied on industry & commerce. • Southern states relied on slave labor and plantation-sized farms.

3. The Great Divide • As Northern cities grew, immigrants were led to northern factories for work. • Immigrants not paid well, but are paid. • Some Northerners want slavery abolished (ended) --viewed it as immoral. • Factory workers want slavery abolished; feared owners would use slave labor if workers became too expensive.

4. The Great Divide • Southern economy was based on farming. • Small percentage of wealthy landowners dominated profits of South. • Wealthy southern landowners made money from: • Hard work of slaves • Cash crop trade • Most Southern farmers: • Were poor • Couldn’t afford/didn’t own slaves • Still supported slavery because of feeling of superiority • Some resented those rich plantation owners

5. The Great Divide • Debate over slavery led to following excuses used for justifying it: • Whites were superior to African Americans. • Slavery helped introduce Christianity to more “lost souls”. • Slavery was an improvement over their lives in Africa. • Slaves were fed and clothed better as slaves than as freed men in Africa.

6. Homework #1 • What did Northern states rely on for money (what was their economy based on)? • What was the Southern states economy based on (how did they make their money)? • Why did factory workers in North want slavery abolished (ended)? • How did plantation owners make their profits (2 answers)? • List one of the excuses southern whites used to justify the existence of slavery.

7. The Great Divide • Arguments over slavery continue as new states are added to U.S. • Maintaining balance in Congress between Slave and Non-slave states was vital. • Wilmot Proviso is proposed to Congress stating: • Slavery should be outlawed in ANY new territory acquired by U.S. • Proviso is unanimously rejected by Southern states. • California applies for statehood as free state; balance of Congress is threatened.

8. The Great Divide • With possible admission of California as free state creating tension, Compromise of 1850 is passed. • Compromise states: • California allowed as free state & slavery in Washington D.C. abolished. (North) • Congress wouldn’t pass anti-slave laws in new southwest territories & also pass stronger slave laws to help slaveholders. (South) • Compromise soothes tensions… temporarily.

9. The Great Divide • One of the stronger slave laws passed by Congress was the Fugitive Slave Act. • Under this law: • Fugitive slaves could be jailed without trial. • Federal Commissioner ruled on slave case; paid $5 for freeing slave, $10 for sending slave back. • Northerners expected to help in capturing runaway slaves. • Southern slave catchers permitted to roam northern states looking for runaways (often took freed African-Americans too).

10. The Great Divide • Fugitive Slave Act creates more tension between North & South. • Southerners complain about Northerners not being punished for refusing to follow law. • Some Northerners complain about being forced to follow law they morally disagree with. • During tension of slave act, Harriett Beecher Stowe writes a novel titled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. • Novel portrays slavery for what it is: cruel and immoral. • Book is wildly popular in North; Southern slave owners argued it portrayed slavery unfairly.

11. Homework #2 • What bill is proposed to Congress stating that slavery should be outlawed in ANY new territory? • What state is admitted in as a free state under the Compromise of 1850? • Under the Fugitive Slave Act, how much were federal commissioner's paid for freeing a slave? How much for sending a slave back to owners? • What was the South’s complaint about the Fugitive Slave act? • Who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin?

12. The Great Divide • As tensions worsen, Sen. Stephen Douglas (R – IL) sends bill to Congress to organize Nebraska Territory. • Goal of bill was to separate the territory into Kansas & Nebraska. • Popular sovereignty is suggested to help determine if territories will become free states or slave states. • 5,000 residents of Missouri cross border for election in March 1855, voting Kansas a pro-slave state. • Voting results showed more votes cast than total population, but election results stood.

13. The Great Divide • Violence erupts in Kansas as anti-slave settlers reject election results. • Lawrence, KS (antislavery town) is looted (burned/vandalized) by pro-slave settlers. • In retaliation, John Brown (extreme abolitionist) and 7 other men mutilate 5 proslavery settlers at Potawatomie Creek. • Attack sparks violence in Kansas; nearly 200 people are killed in Kansas over 3 yr. period following election. • Kansas earns nickname of “Bleeding Kansas” due to the violence that spread.

14. The Great Divide • In May 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner spoke out against proslavery settlers in Kansas. • During his speech, Sumner insulted Sen. Andrew P. Butler (pro-slave) of South Carolina. • Rep. Preston Brooks (Butler’s cousin) hears of the speech and the insult given.

15. The Great Divide • Brooks walks into the Senate chambers; beats Sen. Sumner over the head with his cane repeatedly until unconscious. • Sumner was disabled for years following the attack. • Brooks was arrested, found not guilty, and allowed to resume House duties 2 months following attack.

16. Homework #3 • What was held to decide if Kansas would be a free state or slave state? • Who led the massacre at Potawatomie Creek? • What nickname was given to Kansas following the fighting that took place there? • Who was beaten in the Senate Chambers for a speech he gave?

17. The Great Divide • As slavery debate intensifies, political parties are created based around views on slavery. • Members of the Whig party (original political party of U.S.), break away and create new party called Republican Party. • Nominate John Fremont for President in 1856, but lose due to party being unknown.

18. The Great Divide • In 1857, U.S. Supreme Court (which had been silent of slavery issue) gets 1st opportunity to rule on slavery. • Dred Scott, a former slave, was suing for his freedom. • Dred Scott v. Sandford argues the following Constitutional issues were unresolved: • Was Scott a LEGAL U.S. citizen? • Did Scott earn freedom by living in free territory? • Does Congress/U.S. gov’t have power to limit slavery anywhere?

19. The Great Divide • Dred Scott’s argument: • Emerson family moved north to parts of MN, IL, & WI for 4 years. • By living in free territory, Scott argues he earned his freedom. • Family moves back to Missouri in 1838. • John Emerson dies soon after move and Scott sues for freedom. • He wins suit against widow for his freedom in Circuit Court. • Overturned by MO Supreme Court; sent to U.S. Supreme Court for final decision.

20. The Great Divide • Supreme Court’s decision, read by Judge Roger Taney: • Scott was NOT a U.S. citizen, so couldn’t legally sue for something he doesn’t have (freedom). • Scott was to remain a slave because he had lived & was purchased in Missouri (slave state). • Slavery could/should NOT be limited anywhere because it infringed on slaveholder’s property rights (5th Amendment).

21. The Great Divide • Court’s decision outraged northern states (some refused to comply with ruling of allowing slavery anywhere). • Southern states rejoiced knowing that slavery was legally protected by the Constitution.

22. Homework #4 – 11/27/12 • What political party was created after the Whig party broke apart? • Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision, yes or no? Support your answer with facts from the notes (3-4 sentences min.)

23. The Great Divide • As nation moves closer to conflict over slavery, a Senate race in Illinois captures nations’ attention. • Stephen Douglas goes head-to-head with Abraham Lincoln for IL Senate seat. • Douglas was incumbent • Many expected winner of election to be next President. • Douglas wins re-election for Senate, but Lincoln wins respect of Republican party; nominated for 1860 Presidential Election.

24. The Great Divide • In 1859, John Brown (Bleeding Kansas fame) plans a raid on the town of Harper’s Ferry, VA. • Hopes to capture the U.S. Army arsenal • Use the weapons to incite a slave rebellion in south • On October 16, Brown and 18 others capture the arsenal. • They’re quickly surrounded by U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee. • Some of Brown’s men escape but most are either killed/captured, including Brown himself.

25. The Great Divide • John Brown is tried in court; found guilty of treason & murder; sentenced to death. • The day John Brown is executed: • Northern abolitionists ring bells and fire guns in salute. • Southerners celebrate the death of a terrorist determined to end slavery.

26. The Great Divide • With the nation breaking apart, 1860 Presidential election was more important than usual. • Election of 1860 consisted of 4 candidates: • Stephen Douglas (Democrat) • John Breckinridge (S. Democrat) • Abraham Lincoln (Republican) • John Bell (Constitutional Union)

27. The Great Divide • Election becomes two races between Northern & Southern states. • Lincoln & Douglas battle for North • Bell & Breckinridge battle for South • Lincoln wins election with only 40% of popular vote. • Voting results show divide among country on slavery; • Despite promise to not abolish slavery, Southerners don’t vote for Lincoln; his name is never shown on ballots.

28. The Great Divide • Before election happens, southern states warn they would secede if Lincoln was elected. • After election, southern states discuss secession; claim state’s rights were violated. • Argued that states have certain rights Fed. Gov’t can’t control. • If states had voluntarily joined union, they can voluntarily leave.

29. The Great Divide • On December 20, 1860, South Carolina is first state to secede from the union. • Within weeks, 6 other states joined South Carolina (AL, MS, FL, GA, LA, & TX). • Seceded states meet; new gov’t called Confederate States of America. • Jefferson Davis was chosen to lead the new “country”. • Even adopt Constitution similar to existing one.

30. The Great Divide • President James Buchannan argues against secession; does nothing to try and keep country together. • In his inauguration speech, President Lincoln: • Spoke out against secession. • Tried to reassure South he wouldn’t abolish slavery. • Stated he didn’t want to invade Southern states, but wouldn’t abandon federal property in the south.

31. Homework #5 – 11/29/12 • Who captured the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA? • Who was the Republican candidate for the Presidential Election of 1860? • Who won the Presidential Election of 1860? • What state was the first to secede from the United States? • Who was placed in charge of the Confederate States of America?