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John Brown
John Brown was an abolitionist between 1800-1859 that was a significant figure in history. Nicknamed a fanatic and often viewed as crazy, Brown became obsessed with the idea of freeing slaves. In 1855 John Brown and his sons initiated a violent raid titled the "Bleeding Kansas" in an attempt to free slaves in Lawrence. Afterwards Brown continously exerted violence in efforts toward the slave cause.
Effect: Hanged for his raid in 1859, Brown encouraged the abolitionist movement and abolishment. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin was a novel that gathered support from the North for the abolitionist cause. The story followed Uncle Tom and his life under enslavement. While the book gathered immediate bad reactions from the South, Northerners grew sympathetic and emotionally-attached to the story. Soon the novel became a big success: issuing tens of thousands of copies.
Effect: The novel increased anti-slave support in the North, encouraging the abolishment of slavery. -
Republican Party
Emerged in 1854, the Republican Party was born after the Kansas-Nebraska act passed Congress. Anti-slavery forces joined together to oppose slavery in Kansas and Nebraska, and together chose the political name: Republicans. The main Republican goal was to abolish slavery in the states entirely. They rooted for low taxes and were led by Abraham Lincoln, who became the first republican present. Effect: The creation of the Republican party opened up the doors to abolishing slavery permanently. -
Bloody Kansas
Bloody Kansas was a series of violence in Kansas that increased tensions regarding the slave debate. Initiated by abolitionist John Brown, a raid ensued: evoking violence on members of the state. Brown's goal was to encourage slaves to riot, but unfortunately no support was gained. Brown was hanged for his actions. Violence continued until Kansas entered the Union as a free state.
Effect: Bloody Kansas encouraged Kansas to become a free state, and increased tensions between North and South. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska act, proposed by Stephen A. Douglas of Illanois, was an act that significantly impacted the slave debate. It granted popular sovereignty to state citizens, allowing them voting rights over free state vs. slave state, repealed the Missouri Compromise, and created two new territories: Kansas and Nebraska. Effect: The act heavily increased tension between the North and South. Citizen's hostility initiated the "Bleeding Kansas": ending lives and creating a significant uproar. -
Election 1856
Following the secession, the presidential election of 1856 ensued. John C. Fremont, a Republican nominee, expressed anti-slavery ideas and goals to condemn the Kansas-Nebraska Act. James Bucahana, the UK ambassador/Democrat nominee, argued that the Republicans would lead to war and downfall of the nation. He instead upheld popular sovereignty. Effect: Bucahana won. The election marked the end of the Second Party System and, as tensions failed to disappear, led to Civil War. -
Brooks-Sumner Incident
In 1857 the heated debate on Kansas in Senate led Charles Sumner, a popular politician, to delivery a two-day speech titled "The Crime Against Kansas". The speech severely insulted Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina while expressing anti-slavery ideas. He was extremely horrific in his conversation: declaring Missourians "murderous robbers". Preston Books, Butler's cousin, retaliated by killing Sumner with a cane.
Effect: The incident contributed to the country's polarization of slavery. -
LeCompton Constitution
The LeCompton Constitution was one of four constitutions drafted by the state of Kansas. It was a strongly "pro-slavery" document that contained sections protecting slavery and even a Bill of rights which directly excluded Black Americans. Effect: The LeCompton Constitution was heavily rejected by Kansas voters. The Constitution became extremely controversial. The Democratic Party eventually split due to this controversy. The Constitution increased the chance of War, and influenced arguments. -
Dred Scott
Dred Scott was an slave who sued for freedom. In 1834 Scott's owner Dr. Emerson traveled with Scott to Illanois, a free state which illegalized slavery. In 1836 they moved again to Lousiana: another free state. After Emerson's passing Scott sued Emerson's family in what became known as the Scott v Sanford trial.
Effect: The trial ended with Congress favoring Sanford. Itdeclared that:
-Missouri compromise = unconstitutional
-Slaves were property
It restricted popular sovereignty+ chance of War. -
House Divided Speech
The House Divided Speech was issued by current senatorial candidate Abraham Lincoln on June 16, 1858. Lincoln's main topic was slavery, where he declared that slavery was a moral and political issue that threatened the United States as a whole. He explained that the continuation of slavery would disrupt the Union: evoking chaos and War. He encouraged the nation to do away with "free state" and "slave state".
Effect: The speech inspired abolitionists and led to the abolition of slavery in 1865. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln Douglas Debates were a series of debates over the election of Senate seats between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. With 7 debates both candidates argued over slavery. During the 2nd debate, Lincoln asked Douglas a question: "whether the people of the nation could prevent slavery". Douglas replied, explaining that slavery could be prevented if laws were created. (Freeport Doctrine)
Effect: While Douglas won the seat, the Freeport Doctrine gained Lincoln his presidency. -
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry was a raid executed by abolitionist John Brown that sought to free slaves located in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Early in the morning Brown and his supporters involved captured the federal armory and arsenal in hopes slaves would join in on the raid. Unfortunately, Brown's raid was unsuccesful. Effect: Brown was sentenced to death and hanged for his actions. While unsuccessful, the raid encouraged abolitionists to exert force and use unique methods in order to end slavery. -
Secession
Between the time of 1860-61 11 slave states secessed from the Union after the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The first seven stated that seceded created a independent, provisional government at Montgomery, Alabama. After hostilities arised in the Charlestone Harbor, the border states (Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina) joined the government. Soon the union was disorganized: creating chaos.
Effect: The secession was a significant factor that led to the Civil War: evoking chaos. -
Election 1860
The Presidential election of 1860 significantly changed the outcome of slavery. Following the battle between Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln won, becoming president. The election quickly became controversial as Northern and Southern Democrats split the electoral right down the middle.
Effect: Soon after his election, South Carolina seceded from the Union...following seven Southern States led by SC. This split deeply affected the nation: leading to Civil War. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
The day President Lincoln was sworn he gave his First Inaugural Address: a powerful speech that spoke about the concept of slavery and other troubling subjects. He highlighted that the nation should not divide due to slavery, and responded to Southerners angry at his election. He assured the South that he was not planning on removing their "property" (slaves) even though he was Republican.
Effect: His speech calmed the South and reasserted that slavery would continue until later on.