Chapter #18: Renewing the Sectional Struggle – Big Picture Themes 1. The main question facing the nation was, “Will new lands won from Mexico have slaves or be free?”
2. The answer to the question was hammered out in the Compromise of 1850. It said California was to be free, popular sovereignty (the people decide) for the rest of the lands.
3. A tougher fugitive slave law was a major concession to the South, but it wasn’t enforced. This angered the Southerners.
4. The North—South rift was widened with the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It repealed the Missouri Compromise which had kept the peace for a generation. In it’s place, popular sovereignty opened the Great Plains to potential slavery. Whereas the slave-land issue had been settled, now it was a big question mark.
IDENTIFICATIONS: Stephen Douglas
A senator from Illinois. He was also known as the Little Giant. He had the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed. He supported Clay’s compromise. Franklin Pierce
The second dark horse candidate for president. He ran in the election of 1852 against the Whig’s Winfield Scott and the Free Soilers’ John P. Hale. He wanted to expand like Polk and also attempted to purchase Cuba.
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state, abolished slave trade in the District of Columbia, created a stricter fugitive slave law, gave the disputed territory by Texas and New Mexico to New Mexico with $10 million compensation for Texas, and the rest of the Mexican Cession would become New Mexico and Utah would be open to popular sovereignty.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was known as the Hero of Buena Vista. He ran for president representing the Whigs. He won the election of 1848 against the Democrat Lewis Cass and the Free Soiler Van Buren. John C. Calhoun
He was also known as the Great Nullifier. He was against the Compromise of 1850 and was a proslaveryite. Matthew C. Perry
A U.S. naval commander who went to Japan and opened its closed doors. In 1854 he signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese which provided proper treatment of shipwrecked sailors, coaling rights, and consular relations.
Henry Clay
The Great Compromiser who created the Compromise of 1850. Free-Soil Party
A political party organized by antislavery men in the North who could not trust Cass and Taylor. They did not like their silence on slavery so they made their stand clear. They advocated federal aid for internal improvements and free government homesteads for settlers. They attracted industrialists, Democrats resentful of Polk, many northerners, and conscience Whigs. In the election of 1848 they were represented by Van Buren.
Fugitive Slave Law
This law was part of the Compromise of 1850 and It denied slaves a jury trial and right to testify. It also made people who helped the slaves escape to become slave catchers themselves.
Harriet Tubman
One of the conductors on the Underground Railroad. She was an illiterate runaway slave that was from Maryland. She rescued over three hundred slaves.
Ostend Manifesto
The American ministers in Spain, England, and France met at Ostend, Belgium to create the Ostend Manifesto which offered $120 million for Cuba, and if refused and a threat, the U.S. was justified in taking it.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act cast aside the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty. GUIDED READING QUESTIONS: Chapter #19: Drifting Toward Disunion – Big Picture Themes 1. Uncle Tom’s Cabin drove a wedge between the Northerner and Southerner. The South cried foul saying it gave a view of slavery that was too harsh and unrealistic, but it cemented each section’s feelings on the issue.
2. Kansas became the battleground over slavery. Since slavery there was to be decided by popular vote, each side passionately fought for their position. Bloodshed resulted.
3. The Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision was huge. It said that Congress or a legislature cannot outlaw slavery in the territories. Effectively then, all new lands were possible slave lands.
4. A financial panic in 1857 added to the chaos and uncertainty.
5. Abe Lincoln arrived on the scene. Although he lost to Stephen Douglas for Illinois Senate, he made a name for himself there.
6. In 1860, Abe Lincoln won a very sectional race for president over 3 other candidates. The South had promised to leave the union if Abe won. He won, and the South indeed seceded.
IDENTIFICATIONS: Hinton Helper – The Impending Crisis of the South
A book about why nonslaveholding whites suffered the most from slavery.
George Fitzhugh
A social theorist that created slavery based sociological theories.
John Brown
An abolitionist who led the raid at Harper’s Ferry and was eventually executed. Charles Sumner
An abolitionist and senator form Massachusetts who insulted Butler and consequently beaten by Brooks. Dred Scott
A slave who sued for his freedom because of his long term living in a free state. Abraham Lincoln
The 16th president of the United Sates and part of the Republican party. John Crittenden
Creator of the Crittenden Compromise which attempted to prevent Civil War. It acknowledged slavery south of the Mason Dixon line and the slave owners were given compensation. “Bleeding Kansas”
The conflict between proslavery people and antislavery people in Kansas. American or “Know-Nothing” Party
An anti-foreign and anti-Catholic party that chose Fillmore to represent them. Panic of 1857
An economic crash due to the gold from California causing inflation. There was also over speculation in land and railroads. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas. Douglas won the senate seat while Lincoln won fame. Freeport Doctrine
Douglas’ response to the Freeport question. It said that if people vote it down then they do not have to follow the Supreme Court. Harper's Ferry Raid
John Brown was to steal arms in order to distribute them amongst black slaves so they may rise up. Constitutional Union Party
A middle of the way party consisting of Know Nothings and Whigs. In the 1860 election they were represented by John Brown.
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:
Stowe and Helper: Literary Incendiaries
Know: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Hinton Helper
1. Which book, Uncle Tom's Cabin or The Impending Crisis of the South was more important? Explain.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beecher Stowe helped start the Civil Was and win it. This book encouraged people to ignore the Fugitive Slave Law. It gained many fans abroad and London and Paris could not help the South due to “Tom-mania”. The Impending Crisis of the South written by Hinton Helper showed that nonslaveholding whites were the ones that suffered from slavery. The South had been abandoned.
The North-South Contest for Kansas
Know: Beecher's Bibles, Border Ruffians
2. What went wrong with popular sovereignty in Kansas?
Many people came to Kansas just to vote and not actually to stay, for example the border ruffians from Missouri. These people brought Beecher’s Bibles, a rifle, and much violence occurred. Two governments were also formed.
Kansas in Convulsion
Know: John Brown, Pottawatomie Creek, Lecompton Constitution
3. What was the effect of "Bleeding Kansas" on the Democratic Party?
John Brown hacked five men at Pottawatomie Creek. The proslaveryites in Kansas created the Lecompton Constitution so that they and their slaves would be protected even if there would be no slavery. The Democrat party eventually split.
"Bully" Brooks and His Bludgeon
Know: Charles Sumner, Preston Brooks
5 What was the consequence of Brook's beating of Sumner in the North? The South?
Charles Sumner insulted the south and Brooks’ cousin, Butler. Preston Brooks then beat Sumner with a cane. This was seen as cowardly and like a bully in the North. This encouraged the Republican party. The South approved of Brooks and even bought him new canes.
"Old Buck" versus "The Pathfinder"
Know: James Buchanan, John C. Fremont, The American Party
6. Assess the candidates in the 1856 election.
James Buchanan was the candidate from the Democrats. He was chosen for his noninvolvement with the Kansas-Nebraska Act. However he was mediocre. The Republican party had John C. Fremont as their candidate. He was chosen for the same reason as Buchanan, but he did not have political experience. The American party had Millard Fillmore as their candidate. He was a bit dull.
The Electoral Fruits of 1856
7. Interpret the results of the election of 1856.
Buchanan won the election because if people voted for Fremont, an antislaveryite, secession would be eminent. Thus people voted for Buchanan in order to keep peace.
The Dred Scott Bombshell
Know: Dred Scott, Roger B. Taney
8 Why was the Dred Scott decision so divisive?
The Dred Scott case was not even considered a case. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney saw Scott as property and not a citizen. Thus he could not sue.
The Financial Crash of 1857
8 How did the Panic of 1857 make Civil War more likely?
It further separated the North and South since the South was unaffected by the financial crash. They even further hurt the North. They took away their protection.
An Illinois Rail-Splitter Emerges
10. Describe Abraham Lincoln's background.
Abraham Lincoln grew up in a humble home, not a rich family. He attended school for less than a year. He was mostly self-educated. However, after reading about law he became a lawyer. He married into the Todd family and learned patience and forbearance.
The Great Debate: Lincoln versus Douglas
Know: Freeport Doctrine
11. What long term results occurred because of the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
The Freeport Doctrine was created. It said that no matter what the Supreme Court ruled if the people vote it down, then it would stay down. This was Douglas’ responses to the Freeport question. It divided his party and made Lincoln gain fame.
John Brown: Murderer or Martyr
Know: Harper's Ferry, Robert E. Lee
12. Why were the actions of one (crazy?) man so important in the growing conflict between North and South?
Brown went to Harper’s Ferry in order to obtain arms to give slaves so that they can rise up against their masters. However Robert E. Lee caught him in the act. Brown was executed. To people in the North this man was a martyr. They could not understand why a good man was to die. Many southerners were concerned about how they could stay in such a violent union.
The Disruption of the Democrats
Know: John C. Breckenridge, John Bell
13. What happened when the Democratic Party attempted to choose a candidate for the presidency in 1860?
The Democrats were split in two. The South chose John C. Breckinridge while the North chose Douglas. The Constitutional Union Party chose John Bell.
A Rail-Splitter Splits the Union
14. Why was Lincoln chosen as the Republican candidate instead of Seward?
Seward had made too many enemies.
The Electoral Upheaval of 1860
15. Did the South have any power in the national government after Lincoln’s election, or were they helpless?
The South still had power. The South had the majority in the Supreme Court. In addition the Republicans did not control the House or Senate.
The Secessionist Exodus
Know: Secession, Jefferson Davis
16.. What did President Buchanan do when the South seceded? Why?
He did nothing when the South began secession. After the south seceded Jefferson Davis became the president of the Confederate States of America. Buchanan did not want to use force because the army was needed for the Indians and the North did not want to fight. Fighting would destroy any hope of reconciliation.
The Collapse of Compromise
17. What was the Crittendon Compromise and why did it fail?
The Crittendon Compromise protected slavery south of the Mason Dixon line. Slavery was prohibited in the north. Lincoln rejected this compromise.
Farewell to Union
18. What advantages did southerners see in secession? Who did they compare themselves to?
They thought that the north would be unable to live without them. They also did not have to pay their debt. They would no longer be the north’s vassals. They compared themselves to the rebels who seceded from Britain.
2. The answer to the question was hammered out in the Compromise of 1850. It said California was to be free, popular sovereignty (the people decide) for the rest of the lands.
3. A tougher fugitive slave law was a major concession to the South, but it wasn’t enforced. This angered the Southerners.
4. The North—South rift was widened with the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It repealed the Missouri Compromise which had kept the peace for a generation. In it’s place, popular sovereignty opened the Great Plains to potential slavery. Whereas the slave-land issue had been settled, now it was a big question mark.
IDENTIFICATIONS: Stephen Douglas
A senator from Illinois. He was also known as the Little Giant. He had the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed. He supported Clay’s compromise. Franklin Pierce
The second dark horse candidate for president. He ran in the election of 1852 against the Whig’s Winfield Scott and the Free Soilers’ John P. Hale. He wanted to expand like Polk and also attempted to purchase Cuba.
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state, abolished slave trade in the District of Columbia, created a stricter fugitive slave law, gave the disputed territory by Texas and New Mexico to New Mexico with $10 million compensation for Texas, and the rest of the Mexican Cession would become New Mexico and Utah would be open to popular sovereignty.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was known as the Hero of Buena Vista. He ran for president representing the Whigs. He won the election of 1848 against the Democrat Lewis Cass and the Free Soiler Van Buren. John C. Calhoun
He was also known as the Great Nullifier. He was against the Compromise of 1850 and was a proslaveryite. Matthew C. Perry
A U.S. naval commander who went to Japan and opened its closed doors. In 1854 he signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese which provided proper treatment of shipwrecked sailors, coaling rights, and consular relations.
Henry Clay
The Great Compromiser who created the Compromise of 1850. Free-Soil Party
A political party organized by antislavery men in the North who could not trust Cass and Taylor. They did not like their silence on slavery so they made their stand clear. They advocated federal aid for internal improvements and free government homesteads for settlers. They attracted industrialists, Democrats resentful of Polk, many northerners, and conscience Whigs. In the election of 1848 they were represented by Van Buren.
Fugitive Slave Law
This law was part of the Compromise of 1850 and It denied slaves a jury trial and right to testify. It also made people who helped the slaves escape to become slave catchers themselves.
Harriet Tubman
One of the conductors on the Underground Railroad. She was an illiterate runaway slave that was from Maryland. She rescued over three hundred slaves.
Ostend Manifesto
The American ministers in Spain, England, and France met at Ostend, Belgium to create the Ostend Manifesto which offered $120 million for Cuba, and if refused and a threat, the U.S. was justified in taking it.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act cast aside the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty. GUIDED READING QUESTIONS: Chapter #19: Drifting Toward Disunion – Big Picture Themes 1. Uncle Tom’s Cabin drove a wedge between the Northerner and Southerner. The South cried foul saying it gave a view of slavery that was too harsh and unrealistic, but it cemented each section’s feelings on the issue.
2. Kansas became the battleground over slavery. Since slavery there was to be decided by popular vote, each side passionately fought for their position. Bloodshed resulted.
3. The Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision was huge. It said that Congress or a legislature cannot outlaw slavery in the territories. Effectively then, all new lands were possible slave lands.
4. A financial panic in 1857 added to the chaos and uncertainty.
5. Abe Lincoln arrived on the scene. Although he lost to Stephen Douglas for Illinois Senate, he made a name for himself there.
6. In 1860, Abe Lincoln won a very sectional race for president over 3 other candidates. The South had promised to leave the union if Abe won. He won, and the South indeed seceded.
IDENTIFICATIONS: Hinton Helper – The Impending Crisis of the South
A book about why nonslaveholding whites suffered the most from slavery.
George Fitzhugh
A social theorist that created slavery based sociological theories.
John Brown
An abolitionist who led the raid at Harper’s Ferry and was eventually executed. Charles Sumner
An abolitionist and senator form Massachusetts who insulted Butler and consequently beaten by Brooks. Dred Scott
A slave who sued for his freedom because of his long term living in a free state. Abraham Lincoln
The 16th president of the United Sates and part of the Republican party. John Crittenden
Creator of the Crittenden Compromise which attempted to prevent Civil War. It acknowledged slavery south of the Mason Dixon line and the slave owners were given compensation. “Bleeding Kansas”
The conflict between proslavery people and antislavery people in Kansas. American or “Know-Nothing” Party
An anti-foreign and anti-Catholic party that chose Fillmore to represent them. Panic of 1857
An economic crash due to the gold from California causing inflation. There was also over speculation in land and railroads. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas. Douglas won the senate seat while Lincoln won fame. Freeport Doctrine
Douglas’ response to the Freeport question. It said that if people vote it down then they do not have to follow the Supreme Court. Harper's Ferry Raid
John Brown was to steal arms in order to distribute them amongst black slaves so they may rise up. Constitutional Union Party
A middle of the way party consisting of Know Nothings and Whigs. In the 1860 election they were represented by John Brown.
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:
Stowe and Helper: Literary Incendiaries
Know: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Hinton Helper
1. Which book, Uncle Tom's Cabin or The Impending Crisis of the South was more important? Explain.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beecher Stowe helped start the Civil Was and win it. This book encouraged people to ignore the Fugitive Slave Law. It gained many fans abroad and London and Paris could not help the South due to “Tom-mania”. The Impending Crisis of the South written by Hinton Helper showed that nonslaveholding whites were the ones that suffered from slavery. The South had been abandoned.
The North-South Contest for Kansas
Know: Beecher's Bibles, Border Ruffians
2. What went wrong with popular sovereignty in Kansas?
Many people came to Kansas just to vote and not actually to stay, for example the border ruffians from Missouri. These people brought Beecher’s Bibles, a rifle, and much violence occurred. Two governments were also formed.
Kansas in Convulsion
Know: John Brown, Pottawatomie Creek, Lecompton Constitution
3. What was the effect of "Bleeding Kansas" on the Democratic Party?
John Brown hacked five men at Pottawatomie Creek. The proslaveryites in Kansas created the Lecompton Constitution so that they and their slaves would be protected even if there would be no slavery. The Democrat party eventually split.
"Bully" Brooks and His Bludgeon
Know: Charles Sumner, Preston Brooks
5 What was the consequence of Brook's beating of Sumner in the North? The South?
Charles Sumner insulted the south and Brooks’ cousin, Butler. Preston Brooks then beat Sumner with a cane. This was seen as cowardly and like a bully in the North. This encouraged the Republican party. The South approved of Brooks and even bought him new canes.
"Old Buck" versus "The Pathfinder"
Know: James Buchanan, John C. Fremont, The American Party
6. Assess the candidates in the 1856 election.
James Buchanan was the candidate from the Democrats. He was chosen for his noninvolvement with the Kansas-Nebraska Act. However he was mediocre. The Republican party had John C. Fremont as their candidate. He was chosen for the same reason as Buchanan, but he did not have political experience. The American party had Millard Fillmore as their candidate. He was a bit dull.
The Electoral Fruits of 1856
7. Interpret the results of the election of 1856.
Buchanan won the election because if people voted for Fremont, an antislaveryite, secession would be eminent. Thus people voted for Buchanan in order to keep peace.
The Dred Scott Bombshell
Know: Dred Scott, Roger B. Taney
8 Why was the Dred Scott decision so divisive?
The Dred Scott case was not even considered a case. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney saw Scott as property and not a citizen. Thus he could not sue.
The Financial Crash of 1857
8 How did the Panic of 1857 make Civil War more likely?
It further separated the North and South since the South was unaffected by the financial crash. They even further hurt the North. They took away their protection.
An Illinois Rail-Splitter Emerges
10. Describe Abraham Lincoln's background.
Abraham Lincoln grew up in a humble home, not a rich family. He attended school for less than a year. He was mostly self-educated. However, after reading about law he became a lawyer. He married into the Todd family and learned patience and forbearance.
The Great Debate: Lincoln versus Douglas
Know: Freeport Doctrine
11. What long term results occurred because of the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
The Freeport Doctrine was created. It said that no matter what the Supreme Court ruled if the people vote it down, then it would stay down. This was Douglas’ responses to the Freeport question. It divided his party and made Lincoln gain fame.
John Brown: Murderer or Martyr
Know: Harper's Ferry, Robert E. Lee
12. Why were the actions of one (crazy?) man so important in the growing conflict between North and South?
Brown went to Harper’s Ferry in order to obtain arms to give slaves so that they can rise up against their masters. However Robert E. Lee caught him in the act. Brown was executed. To people in the North this man was a martyr. They could not understand why a good man was to die. Many southerners were concerned about how they could stay in such a violent union.
The Disruption of the Democrats
Know: John C. Breckenridge, John Bell
13. What happened when the Democratic Party attempted to choose a candidate for the presidency in 1860?
The Democrats were split in two. The South chose John C. Breckinridge while the North chose Douglas. The Constitutional Union Party chose John Bell.
A Rail-Splitter Splits the Union
14. Why was Lincoln chosen as the Republican candidate instead of Seward?
Seward had made too many enemies.
The Electoral Upheaval of 1860
15. Did the South have any power in the national government after Lincoln’s election, or were they helpless?
The South still had power. The South had the majority in the Supreme Court. In addition the Republicans did not control the House or Senate.
The Secessionist Exodus
Know: Secession, Jefferson Davis
16.. What did President Buchanan do when the South seceded? Why?
He did nothing when the South began secession. After the south seceded Jefferson Davis became the president of the Confederate States of America. Buchanan did not want to use force because the army was needed for the Indians and the North did not want to fight. Fighting would destroy any hope of reconciliation.
The Collapse of Compromise
17. What was the Crittendon Compromise and why did it fail?
The Crittendon Compromise protected slavery south of the Mason Dixon line. Slavery was prohibited in the north. Lincoln rejected this compromise.
Farewell to Union
18. What advantages did southerners see in secession? Who did they compare themselves to?
They thought that the north would be unable to live without them. They also did not have to pay their debt. They would no longer be the north’s vassals. They compared themselves to the rebels who seceded from Britain.