Chapter 10 Terms, People, Key Questions

EAH Honors Sophomore 24-25

Northern Views on slavery.

Varied, but generally ranged from complete abolition to only opposing its expansion to new territories. Many oppose expansion of slavery because it depress wages for free labor, give the South too much political power, and undermine free white farmers.

Southern views on slavery

In favor of its continuation and expansion. Many defend it on economic, social, political, and religious grounds. It was essential to agrarian economy (cotton), and they said it was a “positive good” for enslaved people.

Missouri Compromise of 1820

A legislative agreement that attempted to resolve the issue of slavery expansion into new territories by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, which would maintain the balance of power in the Senate. It also established the 36 30 parallel as a dividing line. Served as a long-standing precedent for managing the expansion of slavery, and it was overturned by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and in the Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court case.

Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

Sponsored by Stephen A. Douglas, this act applied the principle of “popular sovereignty" to Kansas and Nebraska territories, meaning settlers there would decide on slavery regardless of their location of the 36 30 line (repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820). The controversy from this destroyed the Whig Party and gave rise to the Republicans.

Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court decision of 1857

Declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, arguing that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in any territory because it violated the Fifth Amendment (protection of property rights), and it also stated that African Americans (free or slaves) were not citizens so they cannot sue. REVIEW CAUSE FOR CASE*

Election of 1848

Democrats - Lewis Cass (wants pop. sov.) Whigs - Zachary Taylor (avoided taking a stance on slavery, though he owned some) Free Soil Party- Formed by anti-slavery Whigs/Democrats and members of Liberty Party. Nominated Martin Van Buren. (oppose expansion)

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the residents of a territory should be allowed to decide by a popular vote whether or not to permit slavery within their borders. Led to “Bleeding Kansas”

Henry Clay

“The Great Pacificator” and “The Great Compromiser”. He orchestrated the Missouri Compromise of 1820, a key figure in the Compromise Tariff of 1833 (ended the Nullification Crisis), and brokering the Compromise of 1850. He found common ground amongst many issues.

The Compromise of 1850

Five separate bills passed by Congress (By Henry Clay) that would address the immediate crisis caused by CA application as a free state as well as the boarder issue of slavery in new territories from Mexico. This increased sectional tensions because it didn’t solve the problem of slavery, just postponed it.

The Compromise of 1850 and its terms/consequences:

California admitted as a free state, Abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C., New Mexico and Utah territories organized on the basis of popular sovereignty, Texas paid $10 million to settle boundary disputes with New Mexico, and a more stringent Fugitive Slave Act.

Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman

A secret network of safe houses, routes, and individuals (conductors) who helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the North or Canada. Tubman was an escaped slave who made at least 19 dangerous trips back into the south, guiding over 300 enslaved people to freedom. “Moses of her People”

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

A powerful anti-slavery novel that depicted the brutal realities of slavery, focusing on its emotional and psychological toll on enslaved families. South = furious, calls it fiction, and says it demonized slaveholders. North = influenced by it, stirs emotional responses, and causes widespread sympathy.

“Bleeding Kansas”

A period of intense violence, bloodshed, and political turmoil in the Kansas Territory from 1854 to 1859. Erupted because pro-slavery and antislavery settlers argued over whether the territory should be slavery or free.

Border Ruffians

Pro-Slavery Missourians (and some from other Southern states) who crossed into Kansas (illegally) to vote in territorial elections, intimidate anti-slavery settlers, and commit Acts of violence.

What happened in Lawrence, KS?

May 1856, pro-slavery posse (some were Border Ruffians) that attacked the anti-slavery town of Lawrence. They destroyed newspaper offices, looted homes, and burned the Free State Hotel.

What happened at Pottawatomie Creek?

In reaction to the Sack of Lawrence and the caning of Charles Sumner, John Brown (radical abolitionist) led a small band of men (with his sons) to Pottawatomie Creek. They brutally murdered 5 pro-slavery settlers, thus escalating the violence in Kansas dramatically.

Charles Sumner, how did Preston Brooks respond to Sumner’s fiery speech? (“The Crime Against Kansas”)

A fervent abolitionist from MA. Sumner, in his speech, personally attacked Southern senators. Brooks, who was called out, confronted Sumner on the spot, brutally beating him with a heavy cane, almost killing Sumner.

Whig Party - why did it fall apart?

Mainly due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the controversy of slavery. The issue of slavery was so divisive, which led to its Northern Anti-Slavery wing and its Southern Pro-Slavery wing to split. Northern Whigs mainly went to the Republican Party

Know Nothings (American Party)

Nativist political party that emerged in the mid-1850s to support anti-immigration and anti-Catholicism. They advocated for stricter naturalization laws and often promoted discrimination against Irish and German Immigrants. It ultimately failed to take a stance on slavery, so it dissolved.

The Republican Party

Formed in 1854 as a direct response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It was composed of Northern Whigs, Free-Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats. It was dedicated to preventing the expansion of slavery into new territories, therefore it was a distinctly northern party.

The Election of 1856

First presidential election contested by the new Republican Party. Republican - John C. Frémont, oppose extension of slavery (won almost every North state). Democrat - James Buchanan, popular sovereignty and promised to uphold Compromise of 1850. Know Nothings - Millard Fillmore (previous pres.), seen as a compromise candidate that can appeal to North and South. He won.

Abraham Lincoln

Lawyer / Politician from Illinois that was against the expansion of slavery. He was a Whig, and was a new prominent figure in the Republican Party. He debated with Stephen A. Douglass in 1858, helping to elevate his profile and his moderate anti-slavery stance. He had a strong defense of the Union, leading to his presidency in 1860.

Stephen A. Douglass

Democratic senator from Illinois known as the “Little Giant”. He wanted popular sovereignty as a solution to the slavery issue and he pushed for the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Debated against Lincoln in 1858.

Lincoln-Douglass Debates

Seven debates during 1858 Illinois senatorial campaign between Abe Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglass. Central theme = expansion of slavery. Douglas = pop sov. and emphasized local self-gov. Accused Lincoln of advocating for racial equality. Lincoln = Oppose expansion of slavery, and slavery = morally wrong. Challenged Douglass on implications of Dred Scott and pop. sov. . Douglass won the senate seat (narrowly).

John Brown, The Raid at Harpers Ferry, and his execution.

Led by John Brown, a small group of white abolitionists (and some free blacks) attempted to raid the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He wanted to seize weapons, arm enslaved people, and spark a slave uprising. It failed, and his men and him were surrounded and capture, though many were killed. Brown was convicted and hung. The raids terrified the South, confirming their fears that the North was aggressive, and thought the abolitionists were inciting slave revolts.

The Election of 1860 - Candidates and winner.

Republican - Abe Lincoln. Democrat - Stephen A. Douglass (northern wing) Democrat - John C. Breckinridge (southern wing). Constitutional Union - John Bell (avoid slavery and preserve union). LINCOLN won, but didn’t get a single electoral vote from the South.

Split of Democratic Party - No national parties are left.

In 1860 election, Democratic party was split because of slavery. North = no slavery. South = yes slavery.

South Carolina Secedes / Why did many southern states secede?

Triggered by the election of Abe Lincoln, southerners viewed his election as a threat to their way of life, thought a republican president would move to abolish slavery. Buchanan, who was in office at the time, didn’t try to stop the seceding states at all.

Confederate States of America (February 1861)

A new nation formed by eleven Southern states that seceded from the USA. They feared that Lincoln’s administration would threaten slavery and their states’ rights. They established a constitution eerily similar to the U.S. Constitution; except they explicitly protected slavery and state’s rights.

Jefferson Davis

A former U.S. Senator from Mississippi and Secretary of War who was elected the President of the Confederate States of America in Feb 1861. He led the CSA through the Civil War.

Crittenden Compromise

A last-ditch effort proposed by Kentucky Senator John J. Crittenden in Dec. 1860 as Southern states start to secede. It aimed to avert civil war by proposing several constitutional amendments; the Missouri Compromise Line will be reinstated, the abolition of slavery would be forbid on federal land in slaveholding states, compensate owners for runaway slaves, and other amendments to support the institution of slavery.

Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

His message was to appeal to the seceded states to return to the Union. He assured the south he didn’t want to interfere with slavery where it already existed. He said the Union was perpetual and indissoluble and that no state can legally secede. He warned that he will hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to government (forts). He called upon people to preserve the union, wanting a peaceful resolution.

Fort Sumter

A federal fort in Charleston Harbor, SC, (a seceded state at the time). Lincoln was sending provisions (no arms, only food/supplies) to the union-owned fort, Confederate forces attacked it. This marked the start of the Civil War.