A New Political Party
1. In 1854, the antislavery Whigs, the Democrats, and the Free-Soilers joined together to create the Republican Party.
2. The Republican party's goal was to abolish slavery from the new states and territories.
3. Although the Republican Party quickly won control of the House of Representatives and grew stronger in the North, they had little support in the South.
The Election of 1856
1. John C. Fremont (Republican), James Buchanan (Democratic), and Millard Fillmore (American) were the candidates for the presidential election of 1856.
2. Slowly dying over the slavery issues, the Whig Party failed to offer a presidential candidate.
3. James Buchanan, a diplomat and former Congress member from Pennysylvania, won the election.
2. The Republican party's goal was to abolish slavery from the new states and territories.
3. Although the Republican Party quickly won control of the House of Representatives and grew stronger in the North, they had little support in the South.
The Election of 1856
1. John C. Fremont (Republican), James Buchanan (Democratic), and Millard Fillmore (American) were the candidates for the presidential election of 1856.
2. Slowly dying over the slavery issues, the Whig Party failed to offer a presidential candidate.
3. James Buchanan, a diplomat and former Congress member from Pennysylvania, won the election.
The Dred Scott Decision
1. In 1846, Dred Scott, an African American slave, sued for his freedom with the help of antislavery lawyers.
2. After he was bought in Missouri, a slave state, Dred Scott was taken to Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, both free from slavery, before he was taken back to Missouri where his master died.
3. After 11 years, the case reached the Supreme Court, attracting the attention of many Americans.
The Court's Decision
1. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney decided that Dred Scott did not have the right to file a lawsuit as a slave.
2. Taney also addressed the fact that Scott was considered property which the Congress could not take without violating the Fifth Amendment.
3. This decision reflected the fact that the Constitution protected slavery.
Reaction to the Decision
1. Many Southerners were eagar to learn that there were no legal methods to prevent the spread of slavery.
2. The Northern Democrats were pleased to hear that the Republican's main issue on restricting slavery was unconstitutional.
3. Many antislavery groups, like the Republicans, were angered by this decision, dividing the country once again.
Lincoln and Douglas
1. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas competed in the congressional election of 1858.
2. Douglas disliked slavery but thought that the issue could be resolved through popular sovereignty.
3. Lincoln thought that slavery was morally wrong and did not want it to continue to spread.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debate
1. In 1858, Lincoln and Douglas continuously debated on the issue of slavery.
2. Douglas came up with the Freeport Doctrine, which stated that people should abolish slavery by refusing to pass laws involving slaveholders' rights.
3. Douglas' response satisfied many antislavery followers and eventually helped him win the congressional election of 1858.
The Raid on Harpers Ferry
1. John Brown attacked an arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, scaring many Southerners.
2. Brown was hung for treason and murder by the local citizens and federal troops in the area although the Northerners considered him a martyr.
3. Brown's execution caused an uproar in the North and many Southerners were fearful of a Northern conspiracy against them.
2. After he was bought in Missouri, a slave state, Dred Scott was taken to Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, both free from slavery, before he was taken back to Missouri where his master died.
3. After 11 years, the case reached the Supreme Court, attracting the attention of many Americans.
The Court's Decision
1. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney decided that Dred Scott did not have the right to file a lawsuit as a slave.
2. Taney also addressed the fact that Scott was considered property which the Congress could not take without violating the Fifth Amendment.
3. This decision reflected the fact that the Constitution protected slavery.
Reaction to the Decision
1. Many Southerners were eagar to learn that there were no legal methods to prevent the spread of slavery.
2. The Northern Democrats were pleased to hear that the Republican's main issue on restricting slavery was unconstitutional.
3. Many antislavery groups, like the Republicans, were angered by this decision, dividing the country once again.
Lincoln and Douglas
1. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas competed in the congressional election of 1858.
2. Douglas disliked slavery but thought that the issue could be resolved through popular sovereignty.
3. Lincoln thought that slavery was morally wrong and did not want it to continue to spread.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debate
1. In 1858, Lincoln and Douglas continuously debated on the issue of slavery.
2. Douglas came up with the Freeport Doctrine, which stated that people should abolish slavery by refusing to pass laws involving slaveholders' rights.
3. Douglas' response satisfied many antislavery followers and eventually helped him win the congressional election of 1858.
The Raid on Harpers Ferry
1. John Brown attacked an arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, scaring many Southerners.
2. Brown was hung for treason and murder by the local citizens and federal troops in the area although the Northerners considered him a martyr.
3. Brown's execution caused an uproar in the North and many Southerners were fearful of a Northern conspiracy against them.