Chapter 18&19 American Pageant

Free Soil Movement

Movement opposing the expansion of slavery into western territories gained from Mexico, wanting land for white free labor.

Free Soil Party

Political party formed in 1848 to stop expansion of slavery into the West; not abolitionist; slogan “free soil, free labor, free men.”

“Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men”

Free Soil Party slogan arguing that slavery should not spread into the territories.

Wilmot Proviso

1846 proposal to ban slavery in Mexican Cession; passed House, failed Senate, angered South.

Sectionalism

Growing divide between North and South over slavery, economy, and power.

Zachary Taylor

Whig president elected in 1848; Mexican-American War hero; opposed expansion of slavery; died in office.

Lewis Cass

Democratic candidate in 1848; creator of popular sovereignty.

Martin Van Buren

Former president nominated by the Free Soil Party in 1848.

Popular Sovereignty

Idea that people in a territory vote on slavery.

1848 Election

Taylor (Whig) defeats Cass (Democrat) and Van Buren (Free Soil).

California Gold Rush

1849 migration of 100,000 settlers after discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill.

Forty-Niners

Gold seekers who flooded into California during the rush.

Sutter’s Mill

Site of first gold discovery in 1848.

California Statehood Crisis

California’s request to enter as a free state, upsetting the Senate balance.

Balance of Senate

Until 1850, equal number of slave and free states; California threatened it.

Fire Eaters

Radical pro-slavery Southerners pushing secession.

Underground Railroad

Network of abolitionists helping slaves escape to the North or Canada.

Harriet Tubman

Main conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Henry Clay

“Great Compromiser,” proposed Compromise of 1850.

Stephen Douglas

Senator who pushed Clay’s compromise through Congress.

Compromise of 1850

Package admitting CA free, popular sovereignty for NM/UT, banning slave trade in DC, stricter fugitive slave law, TX-NM border settled.

New Mexico–Texas Border Dispute

Resolved through the Compromise of 1850 in NM’s favor.

Millard Fillmore

Vice president who became president after Taylor’s death; supported Compromise of 1850.

Fugitive Slave Act (1850)

Required Northerners to help return escaped slaves; denied jury trial and testimony for fugitives.

Personal Liberty Laws

Northern laws resisting Fugitive Slave Act by giving accused slaves rights.

Abolition Movement

Grew significantly in response to Fugitive Slave Act.

Vigilance Committees

Northern groups organized to protect escaped slaves.

Anthony Burns Case

Fugitive slave captured in Boston; mobs protested his return.

Polarization

North and South becoming “two separate countries” in views and values.

1852 Election

Pierce (Democrat) defeats Winfield Scott (Whig) and John Hale (Free Soil).

Franklin Pierce

Weak president who supported pro-Southern expansion.

Winfield Scott

Whig candidate in 1852; war hero.

End of the Whig Party

Split over slavery; collapses after 1852 election.

Ostend Manifesto

Secret plan to acquire Cuba for slavery expansion; blocked after Northern outrage.

Slave Power Conspiracy

Northern belief that Southerners were plotting to expand slavery.

Gadsden Purchase

1853 purchase of land from Mexico for $10 million to build Southern railroad.

Transcontinental Railroad Debate

Conflict between Northern (Chicago) and Southern (New Orleans) routes.

Stephen Douglas Railroad Plan

Proposal for northern route requiring organization of Kansas-Nebraska.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1854 law repealing Missouri Compromise, allowing popular sovereignty in KS/NE.

Repeal of Missouri Compromise

Caused by Kansas-Nebraska Act; angered the North.

Northern Opposition

Huge Northern backlash over expansion of slavery possibility.

Collapse of Whig Party

Split over Kansas-Nebraska; party dies.

Birth of Republican Party

Formed by anti-slavery Whigs, Know-Nothings, and Free-Soilers.

“Bleeding Kansas Begins”

Violence sparked by KS-NE Act.Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, greatly influencing Northern opinion.

European Reaction to Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Gained European sympathy for the Northern anti-slavery cause.

Kansas Assumed Slave

Initial belief Kansas would go slave; Nebraska free.

Emigrant Aid Company

Northern group sending anti-slavery settlers to Kansas.

Border Ruffians

Pro-slavery Missourians who illegally voted and attacked anti-slavery settlers.

Topeka Government

Anti-slavery government established in Kansas.

Lecompton Government

Pro-slavery Kansas government backed by Buchanan.

Bleeding Kansas

Violent clashes in Kansas between pro- and anti-slavery settlers.

Sack of Lawrence

Pro-slavery attack on Free Soil town.

Pottawatomie Creek

John Brown’s massacre of pro-slavery settlers.

Charles Sumner

Senator who condemned pro-slavery forces in Kansas.

Sumner’s “Crime Against Kansas” Speech

Attacked slavery and Senator Butler.

Preston Brooks

South Carolina congressman who brutally caned Sumner.

Brooks-Sumner Affair

Violent attack symbolizing sectional breakdown.

Republican Party

New anti-slavery expansion party formed from KS-NE opposition.

Election of 1856

Buchanan defeats Fremont (Republican) and Fillmore (Know-Nothing).

James Buchanan

Weak president whose indecision worsened sectional tensions.

Know-Nothing Party

Anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic party running Fillmore.

Lecompton Constitution

Pro-slavery Kansas constitution supported by Buchanan but rejected.

Dred Scott Case

Supreme Court decision ruling slaves are property, not citizens.

Roger Taney

Chief justice who delivered Dred Scott decision.

Dred Scott Decision Rulings

Slaves not citizens, cannot sue; Congress cannot ban slavery in territories; Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

Panic of 1857

Economic downturn hurting Northern economy more, increasing sectional divide.

Homestead Act Proposal

Northern plan for cheap Western lands; vetoed by Buchanan.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858 Illinois Senate debates highlighting national dispute over slavery.

Freeport Doctrine

Douglas’s argument that territories could limit slavery despite Dred Scott by not passing slave codes.

Douglas Wins Senate Seat

Douglas defeats Lincoln in 1858.

Lincoln Becomes National Figure

Gains fame despite losing.

Democratic Party Splits

Douglas’s doctrine angers Southern Democrats.

John Brown’s Raid

Attempt to spark slave revolt at Harpers Ferry; failed.

Harpers Ferry

Federal arsenal Brown attempted to seize.

Brown as Martyr

North sees him as heroic; South sees him as terrorist.

Election of 1860

Four-way election won by Lincoln.

Northern Democrats Candidate

Stephen Douglas.

Southern Democrats Candidate

John Breckinridge.

Republican Candidate

Abraham Lincoln.

Constitutional Union Party

Ran John Bell; wanted compromise.

Lincoln Wins 1860

Wins without any Southern votes.

Southern Secession

Begins with South Carolina, followed by 6 more before inauguration.

Confederate States of America

New nation formed by seceding southern states.

Jefferson Davis

President of the Confederacy.

Buchanan’s Inaction

Did nothing to stop secession.

Crittenden Compromise

Final attempt to extend Missouri Compromise line; rejected by Lincoln.

Secession Crisis

Breakdown of Union following Lincoln’s victory.