A Nation Breaks Apart

Ch. 15 Notes

The Great Divide0Besides views of slavery, economies of Northern &

Southern states differed drastically.

0Both sides had small farms, but Northern states developed and relied on industry & commerce.

0Southern states relied on slave labor and plantation-sized farms.

The Great Divide0As Northern cities grew, immigrants were led to

northern factories for work.0 Immigrants not paid well, but are paid.

0Some Northerners want slavery abolished (ended) --viewed it as immoral.

0Factory workers want slavery abolished; feared owners would use slave labor if workers became too expensive.

The Great Divide0Southern economy was based on farming.

0 Small percentage of wealthy landowners dominated profits of South.

0Wealthy southern landowners made money from:0 Hard work of slaves 0 Cash crop trade

0Most Southern farmers:0 Were poor0 Couldn’t afford/didn’t own slaves

0Still supported slavery because of feeling of superiority0 Some resented those rich plantation owners

The Great Divide0Debate over slavery led to following excuses used for

justifying it:0Whites were superior to African Americans.0Slavery helped introduce Christianity to more “lost souls”.0Slavery was an improvement over their lives in Africa.0Slaves were fed and clothed better as slaves than as freed men

in Africa.

Homework #11. What did Northern states rely on for money (what was their

economy based on)?2. What was the Southern states economy based on (how did they

make their money)?3. Why did factory workers in North want slavery abolished

(ended)?4. How did plantation owners make their profits (2 answers)?5. List one of the excuses southern whites used to justify the

existence of slavery.

The Great Divide0Arguments over slavery continue as new states are added

to U.S.0Maintaining balance in Congress between Slave and Non-slave

states was vital.

0Wilmot Proviso is proposed to Congress stating:0 Slavery should be outlawed in ANY new territory acquired by U.S.0Proviso is unanimously rejected by Southern states.

0California applies for statehood as free state; balance of Congress is threatened.

The Great Divide0With possible admission of California as free state

creating tension, Compromise of 1850 is passed.

0Compromise states:0California allowed as free state & slavery in Washington D.C.

abolished. (North)0Congress wouldn’t pass anti-slave laws in new southwest

territories & also pass stronger slave laws to help slaveholders. (South)

0Compromise soothes tensions…temporarily.

The Great Divide0One of the stronger slave laws passed by Congress was

the Fugitive Slave Act.

0Under this law:0Fugitive slaves could be jailed without trial.0Federal Commissioner ruled on slave case; paid $5 for freeing

slave, $10 for sending slave back.0Northerners expected to help in capturing runaway slaves.0Southern slave catchers permitted to roam northern states

looking for runaways (often took freed African-Americans too).

The Great Divide0Fugitive Slave Act creates more tension between North &

South.0 Southerners complain about Northerners not being punished for

refusing to follow law.0 Some Northerners complain about being forced to follow law they

morally disagree with.

0During tension of slave act, Harriett Beecher Stowe writes a novel titled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.0Novel portrays slavery for what it is: cruel and immoral.

0Book is wildly popular in North; Southern slave owners argued it portrayed slavery unfairly.

Homework #21. What bill is proposed to Congress stating that slavery should be

outlawed in ANY new territory?2. What state is admitted in as a free state under the Compromise

of 1850?3. Under the Fugitive Slave Act, how much were federal

commissioner's paid for freeing a slave? How much for sending a slave back to owners?

4. What was the South’s complaint about the Fugitive Slave act?5. Who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin?

The Great Divide0As tensions worsen, Sen. Stephen Douglas (R – IL) sends

bill to Congress to organize Nebraska Territory.0Goal of bill was to separate the territory into Kansas &

Nebraska.

0Popular sovereignty is suggested to help determine if territories will become free states or slave states.

05,000 residents of Missouri cross border for election in March 1855, voting Kansas a pro-slave state.0Voting results showed more votes cast than total population,

but election results stood.

The Great Divide0Violence erupts in Kansas as anti-slave settlers reject election

results.

0Lawrence, KS (antislavery town) is looted (burned/vandalized) by pro-slave settlers.

0 In retaliation, John Brown (extreme abolitionist) and 7 other men mutilate 5 proslavery settlers at Potawatomie Creek.

0Attack sparks violence in Kansas; nearly 200 people are killed in Kansas over 3 yr. period following election.

0Kansas earns nickname of “Bleeding Kansas” due to the violence that spread.

The Great Divide0In May 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner spoke out against

proslavery settlers in Kansas.

0During his speech, Sumner insulted Sen. Andrew P. Butler (pro-slave) of South Carolina.

0Rep. Preston Brooks (Butler’s cousin) hears of the speech and the insult given.

The Great Divide

0Brooks walks into the Senate chambers; beats Sen. Sumner over the head with his cane repeatedly until unconscious.

0Sumner was disabled for years following the attack.

0Brooks was arrested, found not guilty, and allowed to resume House duties 2 months following attack.

Homework #31. What was held to decide if Kansas would be a free state or slave

state?2. Who led the massacre at Potawatomie Creek?3. What nickname was given to Kansas following the fighting that

took place there?4. Who was beaten in the Senate Chambers for a speech he gave?

The Great Divide0As slavery debate intensifies, political parties are

created based around views on slavery.

0Members of the Whig party (original political party of U.S.), break away and create new party called Republican Party.

0Nominate John Fremont for President in 1856, but lose due to party being unknown.

The Great Divide0In 1857, U.S. Supreme Court (which had been silent of

slavery issue) gets 1st opportunity to rule on slavery.0Dred Scott, a former slave, was suing for his freedom.

0Dred Scott v. Sandford argues the following Constitutional issues were unresolved:0Was Scott a LEGAL U.S. citizen?0Did Scott earn freedom by living in free territory?0Does Congress/U.S. gov’t have power to limit slavery

anywhere?

The Great Divide0Dred Scott’s argument:0Emerson family moved north to parts of MN, IL, & WI for 4

years.0By living in free territory, Scott argues he earned his freedom.0Family moves back to Missouri in 1838.0 John Emerson dies soon after move and Scott sues for freedom.0He wins suit against widow for his freedom in Circuit Court.0Overturned by MO Supreme Court; sent to U.S. Supreme Court

for final decision.

The Great Divide0Supreme Court’s decision, read by Judge Roger Taney:0Scott was NOT a U.S. citizen, so couldn’t legally sue for

something he doesn’t have (freedom).0Scott was to remain a slave because he had lived & was

purchased in Missouri (slave state).0Slavery could/should NOT be limited anywhere because it

infringed on slaveholder’s property rights (5th Amendment).

The Great Divide0Court’s decision outraged northern states (some refused

to comply with ruling of allowing slavery anywhere).

0Southern states rejoiced knowing that slavery was legally protected by the Constitution.

Homework #4 – 11/27/12

1. What political party was created after the Whig party broke apart?

2. Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision, yes or no? Support your answer with facts from the notes (3-4 sentences min.)

The Great Divide0As nation moves closer to conflict over slavery, a Senate

race in Illinois captures nations’ attention.

0Stephen Douglas goes head-to-head with Abraham Lincoln for IL Senate seat.0Douglas was incumbent0Many expected winner of election to be next President.

0Douglas wins re-election for Senate, but Lincoln wins respect of Republican party; nominated for 1860 Presidential Election.

The Great Divide0In 1859, John Brown (Bleeding Kansas fame) plans a raid

on the town of Harper’s Ferry, VA.0Hopes to capture the U.S. Army arsenal0Use the weapons to incite a slave rebellion in south

0On October 16, Brown and 18 others capture the arsenal.

0They’re quickly surrounded by U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee.

0Some of Brown’s men escape but most are either killed/captured, including Brown himself.

The Great Divide0John Brown is tried in court; found guilty of treason &

murder; sentenced to death.

0The day John Brown is executed:0Northern abolitionists ring bells and fire guns in salute.0Southerners celebrate the death of a terrorist determined to

end slavery.

The Great Divide0With the nation breaking apart, 1860 Presidential

election was more important than usual.

0Election of 1860 consisted of 4 candidates:0Stephen Douglas (Democrat)0 John Breckinridge (S. Democrat)0Abraham Lincoln (Republican)0 John Bell (Constitutional Union)

The Great Divide0Election becomes two races between Northern &

Southern states.0Lincoln & Douglas battle for North0Bell & Breckinridge battle for South

0Lincoln wins election with only 40% of popular vote.

0Voting results show divide among country on slavery; 0Despite promise to not abolish slavery, Southerners don’t vote

for Lincoln; his name is never shown on ballots.

The Great Divide0Before election happens, southern states warn they

would secede if Lincoln was elected.

0After election, southern states discuss secession; claim state’s rights were violated.0Argued that states have certain rights Fed. Gov’t can’t control.0 If states had voluntarily joined union, they can voluntarily

leave.

The Great Divide0On December 20, 1860, South Carolina is first state to

secede from the union.

0Within weeks, 6 other states joined South Carolina (AL, MS, FL, GA, LA, & TX).

0Seceded states meet; new gov’t called Confederate States of America.0 Jefferson Davis was chosen to lead the new “country”.0Even adopt Constitution similar to existing one.

The Great Divide

0President James Buchannan argues against secession; does nothing to try and keep country together.

0In his inauguration speech, President Lincoln:0Spoke out against secession.0Tried to reassure South he wouldn’t abolish slavery.0Stated he didn’t want to invade Southern states, but wouldn’t

abandon federal property in the south.

Homework #5 – 11/29/121. Who captured the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA?2. Who was the Republican candidate for the Presidential Election

of 1860?3. Who won the Presidential Election of 1860?4. What state was the first to secede from the United States?5. Who was placed in charge of the Confederate States of America?