Pre-Civil War Era: Key Events and Figures

Impending Crisis of the South

• Hinton Helper, a Southerner, argued that slavery hurt the South economically, as small farmers couldn't compete. His book, The Impending Crisis of the South, was banned in the South but widely distributed in the North.

Bleeding Kansas

• The New Immigrant Aid Company distributed guns (Beecher’s Bibles) to anti-slavery forces.
• This led to violence in Kansas as pro-slavery (border ruffians) and anti-slavery factions fought for control, leading to two governments: Topeka (anti-slavery) and Lecompton (pro-slavery).
• John Brown, a violent abolitionist, emerged during this period. He and his men hacked to pieces five pro-slavery men.

John Brown

• Involved in Bleeding Kansas and later the raid on Harpers Ferry.
• His actions sparked debate: was he a murderer, a martyr, or both?

Violence in the Senate

• Charles Sumner was beaten by Preston Brooks (a representative) with a cane after Sumner insulted Andrew Butler (a senator).
• Sumner, after recovering from his injuries, became a leading Radical Republican during Reconstruction.

Dred Scott Decision

• The Supreme Court ruled that:
  • Slaves are not citizens but property.
  • Slaves can be taken anywhere.
  • Congress cannot prohibit slavery in the territories.
• This invalidated previous compromises and heightened tensions.
• The question of popular sovereignty (allowing residents of a territory to decide on slavery) versus the Dred Scott decision arose.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

• Both Lincoln and Douglas opposed slavery but differed on how to address it.
  • Lincoln wanted to ban slavery in the territories.
  • Douglas advocated for popular sovereignty.
• Douglas won the Senate election, but the debates propelled Lincoln to national prominence.

Freeport Doctrine

• During the debates, Lincoln questioned how popular sovereignty could coexist with the Dred Scott decision.
• Douglas responded with the Freeport Doctrine, arguing that territories could effectively prevent slavery by not enacting laws that supported it.
• This answer was controversial and damaged Douglas's standing in the South.

Harpers Ferry Raid

• John Brown's plan was to seize the arsenal, arm the slaves, and start a rebellion to create a free slave state.
• The raid failed, and Brown was captured by U.S. forces under the command of Robert E. Lee.
• The South used the raid to justify cracking down on abolitionists.
• Brown was executed, further polarizing the nation.
• There is controversy as to the authenticity of the image portraying Brown as it may have fabricated.

Election of 1860

• Lincoln's election led to the secession of Southern states, starting with South Carolina.
• Eventually, 11 states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America, with Jefferson Davis as their president.
• Reasons for secession: Southern states felt they had lost their political voice and feared the end of slavery.
• The central issue was slavery, despite arguments about states' rights or tariffs.

Minnesota's Role

• Minnesota was one of the first states to volunteer troops for the Union Army.

Attempts at Compromise

• Constitutional Union Party: A last-ditch effort to preserve the Union.
• Crittenden Compromise: Proposed extending the Missouri Compromise line, but it failed because Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery.

Buchanan's Response

• President Buchanan was criticized for not taking a stronger stance against secession.
• He argued that the Constitution did not explicitly authorize him to prevent secession.
• The legality of secession was debated, with differing interpretations of the Constitution.