CHAPTER 10: THE UNION IN PERIL

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE CIVIL WAR 1850-1877

THE DIVISIVE POLITICS OF SLAVERY

• Over the centuries, the Northern and Southern sections of the United States had developed into two very different cultural and economic regions

• There were also differences in geography and climate, as well as religious differences

THE SOUTH BEFORE THE WAR

• Rural plantation economy

• Relied on slave labor• “Peculiar Institution”

created tension• Southerners feared

that the loss of slavery would mean lose of cultureFamily working the cotton

field on a Plantation

THE NORTH BEFORE THE WAR• The North had a

more diverse economy

• Industry flourished• Openly opposed

slavery in the South and the new territories

• More urbanized than South

BOSTON HARBOR

Wilmot ProvisoExample of SECTIONALISM in the country

• Northern sponsored bill in 1846; David Wilmot, (D)PA• Stipulated that slavery be prohibited in any territory acquired

from Mexico. CA.UT.NM• Passed House (Northern Majority); failed Senate.

Was the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional?

North View South View

Northerners cite “elastic clause” Missouri Compromise gave Congress control over legislation regarding slavery in the territories.

John Calhoun: slaves were property by the 5th amendment; property rights protected by could carry their slave anywhere.constitution; slaveholders

California Statehood

• California Gold Rush• Population boom let

CA skip territorial status and apply directly for statehood.

• Slave State or Free State?

• CA would upset the “Balance of Power” between the sections

Compromise of 1850Henry Clay

Great Compromiser1. California enters the union as a free

state2. In the rest of the Mexican cession

territory “popular sovereignty” would decide.

3. $10 Million to Settle border dispute between TX & NM

4. End of the slave trade (not slavery) in Washington DC

5. Stronger Fugitive Slave Law.

History Alive USH 8-5, Activity 2.1, Slide G

Fugitive Slave Act

• Federal Crime to help runaway slaves• Officials could arrest runaways in areas where slavery

banned.• Federal Marshalls could organize posses.• no trial by jury for fugitives• fugitives could not testify on their own behalf• fugitives returned to slavery on testimony of claimants• court-appointed commissioners paid $10 if rule for

claimant; $5 if rule for fugitive• Hiding a runaway—6 months in jail and $1000 fine.

Leads to the Underground RR—19 trips Harriet (Moses) Tubman

History Alive USH 8-5, Activity 2.1, Slide H

HarrietBeecherStowe

1811 - 1896

HarrietBeecherStowe

1811 - 1896

So this is the lady who started the Civil War.

-- Abraham Lincoln

So this is the lady who started the Civil War.

-- Abraham Lincoln

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

1852

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

1852• Sold 300,000 copies in the first year.

• 2 million in a decade!

• Sold 300,000 copies in the first year.

• 2 million in a decade!

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854

“Bleeding Kansas”“Bleeding Kansas”

Border “Ruffians”

(pro-slavery

Missourians)

Border “Ruffians”

(pro-slavery

Missourians)

Sumner Brooks Affair

Comparing the Compromises

1852Electio

n Result

s

1852Electio

n Result

s

John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr?

John Brown: Madman, Hero or Martyr?

Dred Scott v. Sanford, 1857Dred Scott v. Sanford, 1857

Dred Scott decision (1857)

• DS was taken from Mo. To Wi. (free terr.) • DS sued for his freedom

U.S. Supreme Court:– Dominated by Southerners– Chief Justice Taney (South Carolina)

• 1. DS cannot sue – not a citizen• 2. Residence in Wisconsin does not grant

freedom– Still “property”

• 3. Mo. Compromise unconstitutional

• Reactions of North and South???

The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate)

Debates, 1858

The Lincoln-Douglas (Illinois Senate)

Debates, 1858

A House divided against itself, cannot stand.

A House divided against itself, cannot stand.

1860Presidenti

alElection

1860Presidenti

alElection

√ Abraham Lincoln

Republican

√ Abraham Lincoln

Republican

John BellConstitutional

Union

John BellConstitutional

Union

Stephen A. DouglasNorthern Democrat

Stephen A. DouglasNorthern Democrat

John C. Breckinridge

Southern Democrat

John C. Breckinridge

Southern Democrat

1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!

1860 Election: A Nation Coming Apart?!

1860

Election

Results

1860

Election

Results

Summary