Chapter 11 - Sectional Conflict Increases

Sections 1-3: A study guide

Abolitionist

This was the name given to people who wanted an immediate end to slavery

Annex

To add or take over a land claim

Compromise of 1850

This act included an offer to give Texas 10 million dollars not to pursue its claim to be apart of Mexican territory

Fire-eaters

A group of Southern political leaders who held extreme pro-slavery views

Free state

This was any state that banned slavery

Free-Soil Party

Formed in 1848, believed neither major party was addressing the slavery issue

Gag rule

A resolution passed to ban any mention of slavery in Congress

Henry Clay’s role in compromise

Strong supporter between North and South to preserve the Union

John C. Calhoun

A Southerner who dedicated his life to promoting slavery and protecting states’ rights.

Lewis Cass

Proposed that the territories received from Mexico (Mexican War) determine the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty (letting people self-vote)

Missouri Compromise

Established a ban on slavery North of 1836; 1830 of which was Missouri’s southern border

William Proviso

This proposed banning slavery in all territories gained from Mexico

Zachary Taylor

War hero of the Mexican War; elected President of the United States in 1848.

1852 Election

Won by Franklin Pierce

Congress and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

One of the fears of Congress was that if a territory voted for slavery, it would cause many white people to loose their jobs

Arguments against Kansas-Nebraska Act

Became very intense when a brawl erupted on the Senate floor. A congressman from South Carolina beat Charles Sumner, a senator, over the head with a cane

1856 Election

Republican John C. Fremont lost to Democrat James Buchanan

Emigrant Aid Company

Organized in new England to promote an effort to have anti-slavery families pack up and move to Kansas in order to vote down slavery

Frederick Douglass

A former slave, who turned into a strong abolitionist, he urged “forcible resistance” (violence) to end slavery once and for all

Fugitive Slave Act

Another divisive act that made helping runaway slaves escape; a federal crime.

James Buchanan

Managed to win Presidency in 1856 by receiving enough support from slaves + free states

Lecompton Constitution controversy

It was a joke, a farce, because it was passed by pro-slavery voters only

Popular Sovereignty and Lecompton Constitution

Since voting was severely limited, Popular Sovereignty was not upheld

Pottawatomie Massacre

An event in Kansas that was caused by efforts to increase the number of voters on both sides of slavery issues.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin reactions

Radicalized feelings in both the North + South

Winfield Scott

Famous U.S General led American forces to victory in Mexico. He then became the Presidental candidate of the Whig party in 1852, he lost to Henry Clay

Abraham Lincoln’s Senatorial race

Ran against Stephen Douglas in 1858. Douglas won, but the pre-election debates won Lincoln a national following, was a key 2 years later in the presidential election

Confederate States of America

The states that seceded or left the country in 1861 chose this as the name of their new nation

Dred Scott decision

Major factor leading to Civil War. The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens, and therefore could not have the rights given to citizens

Freeport Doctrine

A plan developed by Senator Stephen Douglas suggesting the people of the respective western territories should vote on slavery themselves

John Brown

Hero to north, crazy guy to the south. Radical abolitionist in 1859 tried to start a slave revolt by leading an attack in arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA. He had failed and was arrested, convicted, and later hanged

John Breckinridge

A Democrat from the South, lost to Lincoln, in 1860, thought Congress had the right to protect slavery om western territories

Lincoln and Abolition

Had a moderate stance on slavery. He was more interested in preserving the Union that he was freeing the slaves. The south, however, erupted because they assumed Lincoln was an abolitionist

Roger B. Taney

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who handed down the **Dred Scott decision** and others that favored southern interests

Secession

When a state leaves the country

States’ Rights

A strong political belief, especially in the South, that the federal government shouldn’t interfere with state laws