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Missouri Compromise 1820 The institution of slavery had been a divisive issue in the United States for decades before the territory of Missouri petitioned Congress for admission to the Union as a state in 1818. Since the Revolution, the country had grown from 13 states to 22 and had managed to maintain a balance of power between slave and free states. There were 11 free states and 11 slave states, a situation that gave each faction equal representation in the Senate and the power to prevent the passage of legislation not to its liking. The free states, with their much larger populations, controlled the House of Representatives, 105 votes to 81. The South's economy was dependent upon black slavery, and 200 years of living with the institution had made it an integral part of Southern life and culture. The South demanded that the North recognize its right to have slaves as secured in the Constitution.

Missouri Compromise 1820 Through the efforts of Henry Clay, "the great pacificator (compromiser), " a compromise was finally reached on March 3, 1820, after Maine petitioned Congress for statehood. Two states were admitted: a free Maine and a slave Missouri, (the balance of power in Congress was maintained as before, postponing the showdown for another generation. ) In an attempt to address the issue of the further spread of slavery, however, the Missouri Compromise stipulated that all the Louisiana Purchase territory north of the southern boundary of Missouri, except Missouri, would be free, and the territory below that line would be slave. (3630 )

In short the Missouri Compromise 1820 brought in Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state, keeping the balance of slave and free states equal. Then drawing a line 36/30 to not allow any more slave states above that line in the “new territory. ”

Wilmot Proviso A proposal in 1846 to keep all the land acquired from Mexico as free from slavery except for Texas. This seriously divided Congress, and woke up the South as to the threat they could lose power in the future. It passed the House of Representatives, but failed in the Senate on several occasions. SO NEVER passed.

Compromise of 1850

Compromise of 1850 The United States had recently acquired a vast territory -- the result of its war with Mexico. Should the territory allow slavery, or should it be declared free? Or maybe the inhabitants should be allowed to choose for themselves? California -- a territory that had grown tremendously with the gold rush of 1849, had recently petitioned Congress to enter the Union as a free state. Should this be allowed? Ever since the Missouri Compromise, the balance between slave states and free states had been maintained; any proposal that threatened this balance would almost certainly not win approval. There was a dispute over land: Texas claimed that its territory extended all the way to Santa Fe. Finally, there was Washington, D. C. Not only did the nation's capital allow slavery, it was home to the largest slave market in North America. Again Henry Clay took the reigns and comes up with a solution.

Compromise 1850 cont. According to the compromise, Texas would relinquish the land in dispute but, in compensation, be given 10 million dollars -- money it would use to pay off its debt to Mexico. Also, the territories of New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah would be organized without mention of slavery. (The decision would be made by the territories' inhabitants later, when they applied for statehood. ) Of all the bills that made up the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was the most controversial. Regarding D. C. , the slave trade would be abolished in the District of Columbia, although slavery would still be permitted.

Compromise 1850 cont. Finally, California would be admitted as a free state. To pacify slave-state politicians, who would have objected to the imbalance created by adding another free state, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed. The Compromise of 1850 accomplished what it set out to do -- it kept the nation united -- but the solution was only temporary. Over the following decade the country's citizens became further divided over the issue of slavery. The rift would continue to grow until the nation itself divided

Fugitive Slave Act (Compromise 1850) It required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves. It denied a fugitive's right to a jury trial. (Cases would instead be handled by special commissioners -- They would be paid $5 if an alleged fugitive were released and $10 if he or she were sent away with the claimant. ) The act called for changes in filing for a claim, making the process easier for slave owners. Also, according to the act, there would be more federal officials responsible for enforcing the law

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852 Literature influences society § Sold 300, 000 copies in the first year. § 2 million in a decade! § Harriet Beecher Stowe

1852 Presidential Election √ Franklin Pierce Democrat Gen. Winfield Scott Whig John Parker Hale Free Soil

1852 Election Results

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) The Act swept away the Missouri Compromise. In Douglas’ desire to be President, he wanted to gain the South’s support and pushed Popular Sovereignty as part of the Act. (state’s vote on the issue of slavery). "Kansas Fever" was sweeping over the country. People from the north and south were flocking to Kansas. Along with them came lots of VIOLENCE. In the first vote, the Lecompton Constitution was accepted when many of the anti-slavery (abolitionist refused to show up). That was the pro-slavery group. President Buchannan accepted them and then sent it on to congress for statehood. Congress rejected it and asked for a new vote. In 1861, 3 months before the start of the war Kansas was admitted as a free state.

Popular Sovereignty Is when a state or locality can vote and decide their law. This was part of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Some felt this was the best way for deciding on if a place/state should allow slavery or not.

“Bleeding Kansas” Border “Ruffians” (pro-slavery Missourians)

Bleeding Kansas Some people call this the “start of the Civil War. ” This was when pro-slavery and anti-slavery supporters rushed in to settle Kansas to affect the outcome of the first election held there after the Kansas-Nebraska Act became law. Violence soon erupted, with the anti-slavery forces led by John Brown. The territory earned the nickname “Bleeding Kansas" as the death toll rose. During this time Kansas at times had two different forms of government (pro and antislavery).

Birth of the Republican Party, 1854 Due to the issue of slavery and lack of support against slavery, the Democratic party splintered and with people from the Northern Democrats, Know Nothing, Free Soilers, Northern Whigs, formed the Republican party with leadership from Horace Greely (newspaper editor in NY). The first Presidential Candidate was General John Fremont from California, who campaigned against slavery.

John Brown Led by John Brown, the Antislavery Army wiped out the proslavery troops. One very famous battle was the Pottawatomie Massacre. John Brown and his men killed 5 settlers at the Pottawatomie River. Many Historians call the violence in this region the “start of the Civil War. Eventually, however, anti-slavery settlers outnumbered pro-slavery settlers and a new constitution was drawn up. On January 29, 1861, just before the start of the Civil War, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state.

John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr? Mural in the Kansas Capitol building by John Stuart Curry

John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry, 1859

John Brown cont. To help the slaves revolt John Brown stormed the US Military Armory in Harpers Ferry in 1859. General Robert E Lee captured Brown and he was tried and hung for treason. In doing so he became a martyr for many Abolitionist.

1856 Presidential Election √ James Buchanan Democrat John C. Frémont Republican Millard Fillmore Whig

1856 Election Results

Underground Rail Road For slaves attempting to build lives in the North, the new law was disaster. (Compromise of 1850/Fugitive slave act) Many left their homes and fled as far as Canada. They did this through the use of the UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD, with leaders like Harriet Tubman (former slave), Frederick Douglas, and many abolitionists during the next ten years, an estimated 20, 000 blacks moved to the neighboring country of Canada from the South and the North as well.

Dred Scott v Stanford 1857 The case had a large impact on the attitude towards slavery. In 1857 the Supreme Court declared that Dred Scott, a slave had no rights, and was not even a citizen of the country. It also declared that slaves are considered property and were under full control of their owners. This made the concept of Popular Sovereignty unconstitutional and in fact made it so that no territory could prevent or prohibit slavery.

Lincoln -Douglas debates 1858 It was for the Illinois Senate seat. Lincoln a new comer in a “New party” was against an established Douglas whose ambition was to be President and very popular. Douglas won the election, but Lincoln established himself as a potential name to be reckoned with. During the debates Douglas issued the statement of Freeport Doctrine: where he stated that slavery could only exist if the people of the community allowed it to do so. This caused Douglas to lose support in the south, thinking he might not be a strong supporter of slavery.

Stephen Douglas & the Freeport Doctrine Popular Sovereignty?

√ Abraham Lincoln Republican 1860 Presidential Election Stephen A. Douglas Northern Democrat John Bell Constitutional Union John C. Breckinridge Southern Democrat

Election 1860 Lincoln won against 3 other candidates- he did not get 50% of the popular vote but received enough of the Electoral Votes to win. He was a newcomer on the national scene. His main stance was that he would work to prevent the spread of slavery and not interfere with existing slaves or states with slavery. Lincoln’s stance on slavery did not convince the South. They did not have him on their ballots. He carried all “free states. ” The election was basically split along sections- North-Lincoln Mid- Constitution-Union: ignored slavery South-Breckinridge, S. Democratic: supporter slavery 1 State Douglas, N. Democratic: popular Sovereignty.

1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart? !

1860 Election Results

Southern Secession The Election was on 11/6/1860 Feeling that the South has lost it’s voice: South Carolina seceded from the Union 12/20/1860. FL, MS, AL, GA, TX followed by February, 1861 and the ball started to roll. Current President Buchannan and President elect Lincoln refused to recognize the Confederate Union. However Buchannan felt there was nothing he could do since his time was soon up. The country waited for Lincoln to take over.

Secession!: SC Dec. 20, 1860

Secession!: SC Dec. 20, 1860 President Buchanan stated the states seceding was illegal but did nothing else. The period became to be known as the “Lame Duck” period and eventually the time was reduced. The country was waiting for Lincoln to assume the office in March. Until the inauguration of Lincoln, most military forts/bases in the south and federal buildings were taken over by the states. In fact the country was in Limbo just waiting for action or for Lincoln to take over.

Start of the Civil War The day after Lincoln inauguration Fort Sumter, one of the last Union held forts was being pressured to surrender. Lincoln refused to let them do so, and instead sent in food and supplies. Davis now had to decide and he did so by attacking the fort in April, 1861. AFTER the attack on Ft. Sumter, Virginia seceded (an influential state located on the border of DC), followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina making their total of 11 states. The western portion of Virginia refused to join the Confederacy and seceded and rejoined the Union as West Virginia (across the Appalachian Mts. )

Confederacy: Was formed by the group of states which left the Union. They created a constitution which was similar to the one in the united States but stated each state was independent and sovereign. That made it difficult for all the states there to unify! Focused was to be on States Rights! Jefferson Davis: Was selected to be the President of the Confederacy, and the capital was Richmond, VA, only a few hours from D. C.

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861

Timeline 1820, March Missouri Compromise 1846 Wilmot Proviso fails 1850 Compromise of 1850 1852 Uncle Tom Cabin written Presidential Election: Pierce 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act Bleeding Kansas (start of war? ) Birth of Republican Party 1856 Presidential Election: Buchanan 1857 Dred Scott Decision 1858 Lincoln/Douglas Debates 1860 November: Presidential Election: Lincoln December: South Carolina starts the secession movement