Union in Peril

1. Union in Peril

2. Wilmont Proviso • All territory gained from the Mexican War would be closed to slavery. • California, Utah, New Mexico • Southerners angered for many reasons…

4. Compromise of 1850

5. Compromise of 1850 • California admitted as a free state • Utah and New Mexico territories decide about slavery – Popular Sovereignty • Texas-New Mexico boundary dispute resolved; Texas paid $10 million by federal government • The sale of slaves banned in D.C. But slavery in itself can continue. • Passage of the Fugitive Slave Act

7. Fugitive Slave Act • Required people in free states to help capture and return escaped slaves. • Alleged fugitives were no entitles to a trial by jury. – Violates the 6th Amendment • Fugitives could not testify on their own behalf. • Anyone found helping a fugitive would be fined up to $1,000 and/or granted a 6 month prison sentence.

10. “The colored men’s rights are less than those of a jackass. No man can take away a jackass without submitting the matter to twelve men in any part of this country. A black man may be carried away without any reference to a jury. It is only necessary to claim him, and that some villain should swear to his identity. There is more protection there for a horse, for a donkey, or anything, rather than a colored man” • Voices from the Civil war

11. Underground Railroad • a network of free African Americans and white abolitionists to help slaves escape. • Conductors his fugitives in tunnels and throughout their property.

12. Harriet Tubman

13. Harriet Tubman • Born slave in 1820 or 1821 • Escaped slavery after the death of the plantation owner. • Made 19 trips on the Underground Railroad, freeing 300 slaves. • Died in 1913 at the age of 93

15. Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe – Published in 1852 • More than 1 Million copies were sold by the middle of 1853 • Told of the horrors of slavery and increased tensions between the north and the south.

16. Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe – Published in 1852 • More than 1 Million copies were sold by the middle of 1853 • Told of the horrors of slavery and increased tensions between the north and the south.

17. Kansas-Nebraska Act • The Nebraska Territory was vast, encompassing the entire 36º 30’ • Stephen Douglas proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act to split the territory into two states – Kansas and Nebraska • Popular Sovereignty was established in both states • Northerners and Southerners felt tension over this bill.

18. Bleeding Kansas • “Come on, then, gentlemen of Slave States… We will engage in competition for the virgin soil of Kansas and God give the victory to the side that is stronger in numbers as it is in right.” • New York Senator William Seward

19. Bleeding Kansas • Settlers from both the North and the South rushed to Kansas. • Soon after, Kansas had enough citizens to set up a legislative body. • When the vote came, “border ruffians” from Missouri voted illegally and passed many pro-slavery laws.

20. The Sack of Lawrence • Pro and Anti slavery movements came to a head in the small town of Lawrence. • On May 21, 1856, a proslavery group of 800 armed men swept into Lawrence • The group burned down antislavery headquarters, destroyed two newspaper presses, and looted houses and stores. • The Pro Vs. Anti fight was on.

22. Slavery and Secession • “’A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved – I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it… or its advocates will push forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South.” • Abraham Lincoln

24. Dred Scott Decision • Scott was a slave from Missouri • With his owner, Scott moved north of the 36º30’ line where slavery was illegal. • After the death of his owner, Scott filed a lawsuit to gain his freedom. • He claimed that he had become a free person by living in a free territory for seven years.

25. Dred Scott V. Sandford • The Court ruled that slaves did not have the rights of citizens. • Dred Scott had no claim to freedom because he had been living in MO when he began filing his suit. • The court also ruled that the MO Compromise was unconstitutional. • Congress could not forbid slavery in any territory. • Interfere with the slaveholders 5th Amendment rights.

26. Lincoln-Douglas Debates • 1858 Senate race for Illinois • Incumbent Stephen Douglas V. Abraham Lincoln • Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates on the issue of slavery. • Douglas- believed in popular sovereignty • Did not think that slavery was immoral • Lincoln – believed that slavery should be illegal in all new territories • Did think slavery was immoral

27. Who said this? • “I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races”

28. The outcome • Who won the Senate seat? • Stephen Douglas • Why was this election important? • Abraham Lincoln went from being an unknown congressman before the debates to being one of the most influential congressman after. • It vaulted him into the spotlight.

29. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry • Abolitionist that believed that the best way to end slavery was to empower the slaves. • Attempted with his sons to raid an arsenal to gain weapons.

31. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry • Brown’s raid was unsuccessful. • Brown’s 4 sons were killed during the raid. • Brown was eventually hanged for treason in 1859