Road to Secession

Summary: After gaining the Louisiana territory from France there were arguments over whether the new territory should be free or slave states. The missouri compromise was created to settle these arguments. The compromise had a couple major points, keep the number of slave and free states equal, missouri would be a slave state, Maine would be a free state , and a line would be drawn to divide the Missouri land. States below the line were slave states and states above the line would be free states. The compromise worked for a while but eventually caused conflict.

Northern Perspective: The North wanted the entire territory to be free states but most Northerners were happy with the free land. Each side had mostly equal amounts of free of slave states.

Southern Perspective: The south was pleased with the land dedicated as slave states. Later on Southerners would recognize issues with the Missouri compromise but for a couple years the arguments between the North and South over Louisiana territory were settled.

Summary: Texas belonged to the nation of Mexico. Because of a disagreement over strict laws, Texas fought against Mexico and won their independence. President Plok agreed to annex Texas in 1845. The annexation lead to an argument between the US and Mexico over where the Mexican border was. The Mexican war began and the US won. With their victory America gained land that included California, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Arguments over whether the states should be free or slave states eventually lead to civil war.

Northern Perspective: In the North the idea of annexing Texas was strongly opposed. Once Texas became a state, the North argued Texas should be a free state.
Southern Perspective: In the South the idea of annexing Texas was popular. The South wanted Texas to become a slave state and argued with the North over slave or free states.

Summary: The Compromise of 1850 was an agreement that temporarily settled the issue of slavery in land received from Mexico. After the Mexican war the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave the US land that includes the states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. The North and South argued over whether the land should be free or slave states. The Compromise of 1850 was formed to settle the disagreements. The compromise included four main points, california would be a free state, Utah and New Mexico would decide about slavery through popular sovereignty, slavery would be abolished in Washington DC, and there would be stricter fugitive slave laws. The compromise seemed to settle most issues for about three years.

North Perspective: The North gained the most from the compromise, they now had an edge in congress, political power was no longer balanced equally. However many Northerners were very upset about the fugitive slave law, they claimed the law was unfair and refused to enforce the law. The North rebelled against the law by helping slaves escape and forming the underground railroad.

Southern perspective: Southerners were pleased with the fugitive slave law but recognized the North benefited more from the compromise. They were happy there were no slave holding restrictions in New Mexico and Utah but were mad when Northerners refused to abide by the fugitive slave law. The law created tensions between the North and South.

Summary: Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stow had an immediate and lasting impact, the books popularity helped ultimately abolish slavery. Abolitionists hatred for slavery intensified upon reading Uncle Toms Cabin, the book spread antislavery motives and helped educate Northerners. The book educates readers by illustrating the experience of slavery.

Northern Reaction: In the North Uncle Tom's Cabin was very popular. The book convinced many to support Lincoln's campaign against slavery. The book educated Northerners on slavery. Anti-slavery uprisings increased as abolitionists became more angered with the South. Uncle Tom's Cabin divided the North and South even further.

Southern Perspective: The South hated Uncle Tom's Cabin, their motives to defend slavery stiffened. The book only angered the South.

Summary: Senator Douglas tried to settle the issue of slavery in the Nebraska territory by introducing the Kansas- Nebraska act which divided the territory into two states. Each state would decide about slavery by popular sovereignty. People were sent to convince each state to become a slave or free state. Anti-slavery and proslavery advocates filled Kansas. Fights and battle broke out between abolitionists and border ruffians. When elections were held people came into Kansas to vote illegally. Kansas was chaos and still not a state.

Northern Perspective: Northerners were determined for kansas and Nebraska to become free states. Violence and fights broke out when border ruffians attacked abolitionists. The violence drove the North and South further apart and made the North really angry.

Southern Perspective: Southerners really wanted the two new states to be slave states because of violence the South was driven further apart from the North and become extremely angry. Tons of people had been killed in Kansas and each side was becoming more upset with each other.

Summary: Dred Scott was a slave determined to gain his freedom, instead of escaping he decided to sue for his freedom. The case made it's way to the Supreme Court, there were three main legal issues the case addressed. The issues were... Scott had lived in the free state of Illinois, should Missouri recognize that freedom? Scott traveled to Northwest territory, did he become free when he was there? Did the Supreme Court have the power or jurisdiction to hear this case? By a 7 to 2 vote, the Supreme Court ruled against Scott on all three issues. The court said Scott could not sue because slaves were not citizens, but property. The court also argued that the Missouri compromise was unconstitutional. The court explained territories belonged to citizens of the US, the fifth amendment says you cannot deprive someone of their property. Court ruled that slave owners would be deprived of property when they entered federal territory. The courts decision created further tension between the states and helped lead to civil war.

Northern Perspective: The North was extremely upset and offended by the courts decision. Many used the Supreme Courts decision as evidence to prove southerners wanted to extend slavery throughout the nation and rule the nation itself. Abraham Lincoln publicly spoke about the Dred Scott court case, siding with Northern perspectives.

Southern Perspective: The South was very pleased with the result of the court case, they felt the decision defended their beliefs and rights. Southerners supported the rulings against Scott on all three legal issues.

Summary: Extreme abolitionist John Brown, his sons, and other followers marched in to Harpers Ferry to steal weapons from the federal armory, John Brown wanted to use force to help slaves escape. John Brown and others killed many pro-slavery advocates. The purpose of the raid was to free slaves by arming them with weapons. Their plan was not successful, John Brown held hostage in the firehouse for awhile, but eventually he was caught. Brown was tried, convicted, and sentence to death.

Northern Perspective: Northerners were abolitions, yet some thought John Browns plan was too violent. Others supported what Brown did and thought it needed to be done. Opinions varied in the North, but all could agree slavery needed to be abolished.

Southern Perspectives: John Browns actions scared southerners into thinking anti-slavery uprising were possible. The south formed militias and eventually broke away from Northern states.

Summary: There were four presidential candidates in the election of 1860 each representing different political parties (Republican, Southern Democratic, Democratic, Constitutional union). Lincoln (Republican) won the Northern votes. Southern votes were divided between Breckinridge, Douglas, and Bell. Lincoln got a majority in the electoral college without carrying a single southern state. Lincoln lost the popular vote and lacked a clear mandate. Lincoln’s election caused Southern secession and the division of the union.

Northern Perspective: The North was pleased Lincoln was elected president. Most Northerners voted for Lincoln in the election of 1860. They supported Lincoln’s campaign against slavery.

Southern Perspective: The south was angered Lincoln was elected. Lincoln refused to assure the public slavery in the South would be allowed. Southerners recognized Lincoln’s election was the result of a corrupt nation political system and decided to leave the union. With Lincoln as President, the South felt they would be deprived of their rights and liberties.

Summary: After the election of 1860 South Carolina decided secession was inevitable. Lincoln had won the election without carrying a single Southern state, the corrupt political system convinced the South to leave the union. South Carolina recognized the division between states would eventually dissolve the union. South Carolina held a convention to explain why they would secede. A major reason South Carolina seceded was because the North failed to uphold the fugitive slave law. South Carolina felt they were being deprived of rights and liberties. In the convention SC proved secession was constitutional and announced they would leave the union. Many slave states followed South Carolina's example and the confederacy was formed.

Northern Perspective: Northerners thought secession was unconstitutional and many didn't like the idea of secession. There were mixed opinions in the North but most didn't want the union to seperate.

Southern Perspective: Most Southern states followed South Carolina's example and decided to secede as well, they agreed with South Carolina's reasons to secede and eventually helped form the confederacy. Most Southern states felt they were also being deprived of rights and liberties.