10.4

Slavery and Secession

  • A series of controversial events heightened the sectional conflict that brought the nation to the brink of war.

  • Secession created deep divisions in American society that persist to the present time.

    • Key Events:

    • Dred Scott

    • Roger B. Taney

    • Abraham Lincoln

    • Freeport Doctrine

    • Harpers Ferry

    • Confederacy

    • Jefferson Davis

Abraham Lincoln’s Senate Campaign

  • On June 16, 1858, the Republican Party of Illinois nominated its state chairman, Abraham Lincoln, to run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Stephen A. Douglas.

  • Lincoln launched his campaign that night with a ringing address that included a biblical quotation:

    • Quote: "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other."

  • Lincoln argued the impossibility of a lasting Union with such divisions, emphasizing that either slavery would be stopped from spreading, or it would become lawful everywhere.

Dred Scott Decision

  • The case Dred Scott v. Sandford challenged the legal status of slavery in the territories.

    • Background of the Case:

    • Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri whose owner had taken him to free territories (Illinois and Wisconsin) before returning to Missouri, where Scott's owner died.

    • Scott initiated a lawsuit for his freedom, claiming he had become free by living in free territories.

  • On March 6, 1857, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered a controversial ruling:

    • Ruling Highlights:

    • Slaves did not have rights as citizens.

    • Scott had no claim to freedom as he was in Missouri when he began his suit.

    • The Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional; Congress could not forbid slavery in territories, as it interfered with property rights protected by the Fifth Amendment.

  • The ruling ignited fierce reactions:

    • Southerners cheered the decision, while Northerners were stunned, fearing the extension of slavery.

The Lecompton Constitution

  • In fall 1857, proslavery advocates in Lecompton, Kansas, wrote a constitution asking for admission to the Union.

  • Free-Soilers rejected this constitution due to its protection of slaveholders' rights.

  • A referendum was called, and voters overwhelmingly rejected it.

  • President Buchanan controversially endorsed the proslavery constitution, causing division within the Democratic Party.

  • Stephen A. Douglas advocated for popular sovereignty and persuaded Congress to authorize another vote, which resulted in further rejection of the constitution.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

  • The senatorial race of 1858 between Lincoln and Douglas featured a series of seven debates over slavery in the territories.

  • Debate Styles:

    • Douglas: Confident, physically expressive.

    • Lincoln: Solemn, direct, and plain-laden.

  • Positions:

    • Douglas: Advocated for popular sovereignty; viewed slavery as a backward system but not necessarily immoral.

    • Lincoln: Viewed slavery as morally wrong; believed it was essential to legislate against its spread.

  • During the second debate at Freeport, Lincoln posed a pivotal question regarding the exclusion of slavery in territories, questioning the practicality of popular sovereignty in light of the Dred Scott ruling.

  • Freeport Doctrine:

    • Douglas responded that slavery would only exist if local laws supported it, implying that territories could avoid enforcing slave laws regardless of the Supreme Court's stance.

  • Although Douglas won the Senate seat, the responses intensified the division within the Democratic Party and elevated Lincoln's national profile among Republicans.

Harpers Ferry and John Brown

  • Harpers Ferry Incident (1859):

    • Abolitionist John Brown, inspired by slave uprisings, attempted to initiate a revolt by seizing a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

    • On October 16, 1859, Brown and his men captured hostages but failed to gain slave support for an uprising.

    • Eventually, local militia and U.S. Marines captured Brown and his followers.

  • Brown's execution on December 2, 1859, stirred significant public response:

    • Many in the North viewed him as a martyr for abolition, while others condemned his violent actions.

Political Climate Leading to the Election of 1860

  • Republican Convention (1860):

    • Expected candidate William H. Seward was unexpectedly challenged by Lincoln, who was seen as more moderate.

    • Lincoln emerged as the nominee after three ballots, advocating halting slavery's spread while reassuring Southerners about their current rights.

  • Election Dynamics:

    • Three major candidates besides Lincoln:

    • Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrats)

    • John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrats)

    • John Bell (Constitutional Union Party)

  • Lincoln won the electoral vote but secured less than half of the popular vote, receiving no votes in many Southern states.

Southern Secession

  • Lincoln’s election led Southern states to feel politically marginalized, prompting them to consider secession.

    • South Carolina was the first state to secede on December 20, 1860.

    • Following South Carolina, several other states (Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas) quickly followed suit.

  • On February 4, 1861, the Confederate States of America was formed, with Jefferson Davis elected as president.

  • The Confederate Constitution emphasized state sovereignty and recognized slavery, establishing a foundation for the Confederacy against Northern interests.

Conclusion and Continuing Conflicts

  • As Lincoln's inauguration approached, questions remained regarding the future of the Union with secessionist states and potential war.

  • The situation escalated tensions, particularly in the border states bordering the Union and Confederacy, crucial for military access and resources.

Summmary

Slavery and Secession

  • Controversial events heighten sectional conflict → brink of war

  • Secession deepens societal divisions

Key Events

  • Dred Scott decision → slavery legal status challenged

  • Roger B. Taney delivers ruling → slaves lack rights → Missouri Compromise unconstitutional

  • Abraham Lincoln's campaign → Senate nomination → biblical quote: "A house divided…"

  • Freeport Doctrine follows Lincoln-Douglas debates → Douglas argues local laws support slavery → intensifies division

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

  • 1858 senatorial race → 7 debates on slavery → public interest grows

  • Douglas → popular sovereignty + sees slavery as backward but not immoral

  • Lincoln → slavery morally wrong + legislate against its spread

Harpers Ferry Incident (1859)

  • John Brown attempts federal arsenal seizure → aims to incite uprising

  • Fails to gain slave support → captured by militia/Marines

  • Execution sparks public responses → martyrdom in North vs condemnation

Election of 1860

  • Republican Convention → Lincoln challenges Seward → emerges as nominee

  • Other candidates: Douglas (Northern Dems), Breckinridge (Southern Dems), Bell (CUP)

  • Lincoln wins electoral vote → <50% popular vote

Southern Secession

  • Lincoln's election → South feels marginalized → considers secession

  • South Carolina first to secede (Dec 20, 1860)

  • Followed by: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas

  • Feb 4, 1861 → Confederate States formed → Jefferson Davis elected

Conclusion

  • Inauguration tensions escalate → questions about Union's future with secessionist states

  • Border states crucial for military access/resources