The Road to DisunionBleeding Kansas and the Dred Scott Decision

“Can we as a nation continue together permanently – forever – half-slave and half free?”

- A. Lincoln, 1855.

Focus Question

The Kansas-Nebraska Act

Stemmed from two trends Desire for a transcontinental railroad Stephen Douglas’ presidential hopes

Douglas’ dilemma

Had to create the transcontinental railroad

Chose a central route (compromise choice) Had to organize the Kansas and

Nebraska Territories Had to come to an agreement

with the South

Popular Sovereignty

Kansas and Nebraska Territories organized Settlers would decide status Repeals the Missouri Compromise

The Reaction

Northerners up in arms Violated the bargain between the

sections Demonstrated the power of the

“slaveocracy” Southerners grew concerned over

the North Would the North accept national laws? Would the North permit either to enter

as slave territory?

Bleeding Kansas

Neither side wanted to lose either territory Abolitionists swarmed into Kansas

Fire-Eaters flocked to the territory Assisted by Missouri Border Ruffians

Border War erupted

Atrocities committed

Sack of Lawrence by Pro-Slavery forces

Pottawatomie Creek Massacre by John Brown

Precursor of the Civil War

Fraud of Lecompton

Proslavery Constitution passed by referendum Abolitionist forces boycotted the election Fraudulent voting from Missouri The Territorial Governor resigned in

protest Now Congress had to act

Congress in an uproar

Douglas fought the Lecompton Constitution Violated Popular Sovereignty Cost him southern support

President Buchanan stood behind it Cabinet dominated by Southerners

Debate led to the beating of Charles Sumner

Kansas-Nebraska sparked discord Border war in Kansas Formation of the Republican Party

Different groups coalesced together▪ Northern Whigs▪ Anti-Slavery Democrats▪ Free Soil Party▪ American Party

Meanwhile

Dred Scott Decision Sent the nation hurtling toward

disunion Centered upon a constitutional

matter Did freedom go with the territory Sparked outrage

The Particulars Scott belonged to an Army captain

Brought to army posts in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota (Free territory)

The Captain died, leaving Scott to his wife

Scott brought back to Missouri as a slave▪ Scott sued for his freedom▪ Living in free territory made him free▪ Argument had precedent in Missouri courts

Scott v. Sandford Faced two key questions

Was Scott a citizen? Did freedom go with the territory?

Decision issued by Roger B. Taney

Ruling Decision handed down in 1857 African-Americans could not be

citizens Scott could not file a lawsuit Scott was a slave

Missouri Compromise ruled unconstitutional Congress had no right to limit property

rights Slavery did not go with the territory

Divided the nation Celebrated in the South

Seen as a pro-slavery decision Assaulted in the North

“Confirmed” power of the slaveocracy Could slavery spread to the free states?