Growing+Tensions

  Growing Tensions [|…]  Growing Tensions Between N & S N- developed industry and commerce S – economy relied on plantation farming

Outlaw slavery in any territory the US might acquire from the war with MX Slave owners can’t take their slaves into free territory. Never became law…but led to the creation of a political party: The Free-Soil Party. a political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery.
 * 1846 **
 * __ Wilmot Proviso __**

1849 – Pres. Taylor let CA to submit 4 statehood/ bypassed being a territory

S. slave holders didn’t have time to move to CA w/ slaves

To make the North happy - CA came in as a free state and the slave trade was abolished in Washington, D.C. To make the South happy - congress said they would make stricter laws regarding runaway slaves.
 * Compromise of 1850** – Henry Clay

which led to the... Fugitive Slave Act

] Ppl accused of being fugitives could be held w/out an arrest warrant.

Southerners considered slaves to be property. The law required N. to help recapture runaway slaves. People could be fined or jailed who helped fugitives escape.

// Uncle Tom’s Cabin – // told details abt. Being a slave. Convinced lots of people slavery=bad


 * 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act **

Popular sovereignty – allowed residents of territories to decide for themselves whether to have slavery or not

Proslavery and antislavery settlers rushed into Kansas Territory to vote for the territorial legislature.

5,000 Missourians came and voted in the election illegally.

1856 "Bleeding Kansas" Fights broke out… over slavery.

Senator Sumner of MA delivered a speech attacking the proslavery forces in KS. He made fun of AP Butler a senator from SC. Butler's relative (Preston Brooks) attacked Sumner with a cane, hitting more than 30 times, breaking his cane in the assault.
 * 1856 - Caning of Sumner **


 * 1857 **
 * __ Dred Scott v. Sandford __**

Dred Scott was a slave who was taken to free territory by his master. When his master died, he sued for his freedom.

Supreme Court ruled slaves were property and had no rights. They were not citizens of the U.S.

John Brown - extreme abolitionist planned to capture weapons in the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA. John Brown + 18 followers Wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom Killed 4 people in the raid. Captured along with 6 others. Hung for murder and treason.
 * 1859 - attack on Harpers Ferry **

Republican party formed with opponents of slavery

Many blamed the violence in KS on the Democrats.

Lincoln and Douglas Debate Lincoln challenged Douglas for his Senate seat. L. argued only that slavery should not be expanded. D. argued that popular sovereignty was the best way to address the issue. Douglas won reelection- Lincoln won national recognition

secede - withdraw 12/20, 1860 - S.C. became the first state to secede from the Union During the next 6 wks. MS, FL, AL, GA, LA, TX joined SC. Early Feb. 1861 the Confederate States of America was formed - Jefferson Davis - president.
 * Election of 1860 - Lincoln won. **