Lesson 56Lesson 56

Prelude to WarPrelude to War

The Kansas-Nebraska ActThe Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Proposed by Proposed by Illinois Senator Illinois Senator Stephen Stephen Douglas in Douglas in 1854.1854.

• Allowed popular sovereignty in Allowed popular sovereignty in the Kansas and Nebraska the Kansas and Nebraska Territories.Territories.

• Repealed the 36°, 30’ provision Repealed the 36°, 30’ provision in the Missouri Compromise.in the Missouri Compromise.

Election of 1856Election of 1856

• Republican Party, started in Republican Party, started in 1854, replaced the Whigs as the 1854, replaced the Whigs as the second major party.second major party.

• Democrat James Democrat James Buchanan won and Buchanan won and became our 15became our 15thth President.President.

““Bleeding Kansas”Bleeding Kansas”

• Proslavery and antislavery Proslavery and antislavery forces began a fight that led to forces began a fight that led to the death of several hundred the death of several hundred people.people.

• Proslavery forces destroyed the Proslavery forces destroyed the antislavery town of Lawrence in antislavery town of Lawrence in 1856.1856.

• Pottawatomie Massacre – Pottawatomie Massacre – Abolitionist John Brown led a Abolitionist John Brown led a massacre of five proslavery massacre of five proslavery settlers at Pottawatomie Creek settlers at Pottawatomie Creek in 1856.in 1856.

The Brooks-Sumner The Brooks-Sumner EpisodeEpisode

• In 1857, abolitionist In 1857, abolitionist Massachusetts Senator Charles Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner made negative remarks Sumner made negative remarks about South Carolina Senator about South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler.Andrew Butler.

• South Carolina Rep. Preston South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks, Butler’s nephew, Brooks, Butler’s nephew, brutally beat Sumner with his brutally beat Sumner with his cane on the floor of the Senate.cane on the floor of the Senate.

• Southerners sent Brooks new Southerners sent Brooks new canes.canes.

Homework

• Read pp. 273-277.• Study notes