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Ch. 16 Slavery Divides the Nation Group Activity – Quest Review Guide:
Directions: Students are to work quietly and effectively in reading each section of Chapter 16 in the text.
Base your thorough work on the study guide as questions are derived from class discussions.
Fully explain each item, provide the essential data of who, what, why, when, where, how…etc.
The better your work, the better the study guide – you may use bullets but only if you are thorough!
Ch. 16 Sec. 1 Slavery in the Territories:
Missouri Compromise – Missouri wanted to enter the U.S. but it would create an imbalance in the Senate.
To fix the problem – Massachusetts gave up its northern counties – it became the state of Maine and entered as
“free state” and Missouri would enter as a “slave state”. This compromise was pushed through Congress by
Sen. Henry Clay of Kentucky. The plan did a few things:
 Maine enters the U.S. as a free state and Missouri enters as a slave state
 An imaginary line at 36 degrees 30`N. was drawn at the southern border of Missouri
 Slavery would be permitted in the Louisiana Purchase south of that line but it banned slavery North of
it …the exception to this rule was of course Missouri itself.
Wilmont Proviso – Northerners feared slavery would spread into the west. Pennsylvania congressman David
Wilmont called for a law to ban slavery in the western territories won from Mexico by war. Southerners
angrily opposed the idea, the House passed the idea but the Senate rejected it – as a result all of Congress
would be divided over the issues for decades to come. Slave holder and abolitionists would increasingly grow
more angry and divided over this issue as well.
Popular Sovereignty – the belief or idea that the people of a state have the right to create their own
government and that this decision would be done by a general election or by popular vote. Voters in the
territories seeking statehood could, by popular vote, decide to be a free state or a slave state.
Free-Soil Party – Founded in 1848 in Buffalo, NY by Northern Democrats and Whigs who opposed the
spread of slavery especially into the western territories. Only a few “Free Soilers” were abolitionists
and in the 1848 Election Martin Van Buren was chosen as their presidential candidate.
Election of 1848 – In the 1848 Election Martin Van Buren was chosen as their presidential candidate. The
Democrats chose Lewis Cass of Michigan – he supported Popular Sovereignty and was Zachary Taylor – the
Whig candidate. Taylor had been a hero of the Mexican War and took no stance on slavery or its expansion
but he did own slaves and he took most of the southern vote and won.
The Election of 1848 reveals that slavery had become a huge concern in the nation!
Incidentals/People to Know:
Henry Clay – Sen. From Kentucky – War hawk during the War of 1812, geographically central to N + S
will become known as the “Great Compromiser” and served in Congress for over 30 years
Jefferson’s – View of Missouri Compromise – why? He feared it was to be the end of the United States –
The compromise puts into law the cultural, economic and social differences of the N + S
Recall… Why did Congress hesitate to let Texas enter the United States until 1845?
Answer: At first in 1836, when Texas first wanted statehood – there was no other state to enter as a free
state and it would also look like the U.S. fostered the Texas rebellion. So Congress said No!
Special Addition – To be taught by the teacher…
Ch. 12 sec. 3 A New Crisis …. Hints as to the Nation Dividing
The items below represent the problems that Pres. Andrew Jackson had to deal with during his two terms in
office that spanned 1828 – 1836.
Note: Although obviously not part of Ch. 16 in the text – the below items are nonetheless important with
regards to the events and legislation that helped lead up to the Civil War.
States’ Rights – The idea or political philosophy that states have certain rights that even the Federal
government cannot infringe upon. Ex. how its citizens are educated, ownership of slaves? Etc.
Crisis over high tariffs – Starting in the early 1800s, Congress began passing tariffs on goods coming into
America {mostly from Europe – esp. Britain} and in doing so the prices of those goods flooding into America
began to soar. The tariffs protected northern made products from cheaply made foreign products and the sum
result was to over time the tariffs almost made it necessary for the South to purchase northern made goods at
higher prices.
Tariff of Abominations – A tariff passed by Congress in 1828 that was the highest tariff in U.S. history.
Southerners called it an abomination and hated it and believed it unconstitutional.
Sectionalism – The laws and policies being passed by Congress began to appear as if one part, or section of
the nation was being favored over another…this philosophy of favoring one region over another is called
sectionalism.
Nullify/Nullification Doctrine – The political philosophy put forward in the 1830s that if a state believed a
Federal law to be unconstitutional and unfair, the state could void it or cancel it and not have to obey.
states could in effect “nullify” the existence of the law and ignore.
Compromise Tariff – As the situation in the nation became increasingly heated. Henry Clay promotes a
solution – a bill that would reduce tariffs over a few decades back to the levels they had been in 1816. Called
the Compromise Tariff – it passed and diminished angers – momentarily!
Force Bill – President Andrew Jackson got so enraged by the very idea that any states dare to suggest they
could nullify Federal laws or worse could secede from the union that he demanded Congress pass a bill
granting him the power to enforce Federal laws by use of military force. It did. He also threatened to hang
anyone – including Calhoun who dared to suggest states could secede. South Carolina backed down.
Incidentals/People to Know:
Henry Clay – Sen. From Kentucky, War Hawk in 1812 and served in Congress for about 40 years –
He will become known as “The Great Compromiser”
John C. Calhoun – Senator from South Carolina, War Hawk in 1812, later Vice Pres. to Andrew Jackson,
resigns due to the Tariff of Abominations and suggests the ideas of Nullification and if not threatens that states
and esp. South Carolina has the right to secede {formally withdraw} from the union. He will become known
as “The Voice of the South” and he is in congress for about 40 years.
Daniel Webster – Senator from Massachusetts, great statesman, considered one of the greatest public
speakers of his time, served in Congress for over 30 years, was an abolitionist but was willing to set aside
differences for the greater good. Will become known as “The Voice of the North”
Andrew Jackson – Hero of War of 1812, and in Florida, was defeated in a “corrupt” election in 1824 but won
in 1828 and served until 1836. “Old Hickory” was such a strong president that his opponents referred to him
as “King Andrew” but he had no tolerance to talk of secession or nullification!
Ch. 16 Sec. 2 The Compromise of 1850:
Problem with California and other western states entering the Union – In 1850 California petitioned the
U.S. to enter the nation as a “free state.” Again the debated over slavery flared up! If California entered as a
free state it would upset the balance of the voted in the Senate. Making matters even worse – it was very
probable that Oregon, Utah and new Mexico could enter the nation as free states too. The South feared it
would become dominated by the “free” leaning Senate.
Threat to Secede/Secession – Again, southerners felt the situation was hopeless; threatened secession.
Northern members of Congress argued that California should by all logic enter the union as a free state since
most of it lay north of the 36 degrees – as per the Missouri Compromise. The nation was in crisis and they
looked to Henry Clay once again for the solution.
Henry Clay vs. John C. Calhoun – Clay had grown old and was ill, he pleaded with both the N + S to accept
a compromise for if they failed to do so, the nation could break apart. Calhoun was dying of Tuberculosis and
stared defiantly at his Northern foes as James Mason of Virginia spoke for him. Calhoun insisted that any law
to come must include a strong “Fugitive Slave Law” in it. This outlawed northern abolitionists.
Daniel Webster – of Massachusetts pleads with his northern brethren to accept a compromise stating that he
believes that if not the nation would dissolve and if so it would result in a bloody civil war which would be
worse.
Compromise of 1850 – After heated debate, a compromise is reached to preserve the union.
It consists of the following provisions:
 California would enter the nation as a free state.
 Territories from the Mexican Cession would be divided into New Mexico and Utah and
New Mexico and Utah would decide on slavery or not by using Popular Sovereignty
 It ended the slave trade in Washington D.C. but did not ban the slave trade between the states
 A strict fugitive slave law was included
 A border dispute between Texas and New Mexico was settled
* The Compromise of 1850 had the effect of nullifying the prior Missouri Compromise!
Fugitive Slave Act – of 1850 required all citizens to help catch runaway slaves. People who let fugitive
slaves escape could be fined $1000 and jailed. Special courts were also set up to handle disputed cases. No
jury trials were permitted and judges got paid $10 if the subject was found to be a fugitive slave or $5 if the
person were found not to be a slave. This imbalance in sums did cause some judges to act with prejudice.
Impact to Underground Railroad – With this law, it was no longer safe to simply get escaped slaves to the
North – now they would have to be brought to Canada and anyone found to be helping or participating in the
Underground railroad could face the harsh penalties of the law.
Reaction to Fugitive Slave Act… North/South – Northerners were outraged by the Fugitive Slave Act and
Southerners rejoiced – clearly the Compromise of 1850 was not a final solution to the problem.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Simon Legree and Tom – Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852 – it fueled the
abolitionists in their opposition to slavery by portraying the horrors of slavery with great melodrama. It sold
like wildfire – a huge best seller and people believed what was written in the book as Truth when in fact it was
fiction based on some stories. Simon Legree was the most evil of slave masters while Uncle Tom was the
long suffering slave the good Christian soul – forgiving of his master’s evil deeds.
Reaction to Uncle Tom’s Cabin North/South – Northern abolitionists got all fired up against the evils of
slavery – called for its end; southerners got more defensive of their beloved “peculiar institution” that they
simply could not economically do without…their defense became known as…The myth of the Happy Slave
What was the Myth of the Happy Slave? Mr. Z. will explain!
Ch. 16 Sec. 3 The Crisis Deepens:
Kansas – Nebraska Issue / Kansas Nebraska Act – The Compromise of 1850 did not deal with the lands
obtained in the Louisiana Purchase – and in 1854 Sen. Stephen Douglas put forward a bill with regards to
Nebraska Territory. He proposed that the territory be divided into 2 territories Kansas to the south and
Nebraska to the North. He then proposed that the settlers of each territory be permitted to use “Popular
Sovereignty” to decide for themselves if their governments would permit slavery or not. This bill/proposal
was called the Kansas – Nebraska Act. The bill seemed fair, Pres. Franklin Pierce supported it, and most
believed that the two states would vote differently and so maintain the balance in the senate.
Bleeding Kansas – 1854 – 1856 The name given to the mini-civil war that erupted in the Kansas – Nebraska
Territory as a result of the election used to determine if slavery would permitted in Kansas. The problem
arose when Border Ruffians came from Missouri and helped turn the election in favor of a slave owning state.
New England abolitionists who had moved in were enraged, a second government – anti-slavery and the
warfare began between those 2 rival governments and those who supported slavery and those opposed.
Incidents of great violence took place – atrocities- as is indicative of civil wars.
John Brown’s Role – Pottawatomie – He along with his 4 sons gained national “fame” for his actions. He
and his sons dragged out 5 pro-slavery settlers from their beds and murdered them. Claiming they were evil
practitioners of the evil institution of slavery – he came to believe that God and the teachings of the Bible gave
him the justification to do so. These killings at Pottawatomie led to reprisals elsewhere – violent acts of
murder in vengeance for past deeds – things got very bad indeed!
Violence in the Senate – Meanwhile, even in the Senate violence is breaking out. Charles Sumner, a leading
abolitionist spoke against the evils of slavery in the Senate, criticized his foes and singled out Andrew butler
of S. Carolina – Butler’s nephew, Congressman Preston Brooks defended his uncle’s honor by attacking
Sumner with a cane – nearly killing him with strikes to his head. Some people actually defended Brook’s
actions as honorable – others thought it completely inappropriate – more evidence of the growing divide!
Dred Scott vs. Sanford - Background and Court Decision – 1857 A man, Dred Scott, who had been
enslaved was brought to the free territory of Illinois – and then to Wisconsin Territory where slavery was not
allowed. He had come from Missouri a slave state. After returning to Missouri, Scott’s owner died. Lawyers
argued that since Scott had once been in a territory where slavery was illegal that by law Scott was now free
and thus could not be forced back into slavery. The case went up to the Supreme Court.
Reaction to Dred Scott Decision – The court’s decision was instantly controversial. It ruled as follows:
Scott was a slave, and as such did not have the legal standing to even bring a lawsuit. Further, since Scot was
a slave that by definition he was the property of another and no state has the right to take away a person’s
property if that person has not broken any laws. The court further ruled that Congress had no power to limit
the expansion of slavery and in doing so the Missouri Compromise was considered unconstitutional.
Incidentals:
Henry Ward Beecher – A radical abolitionist and preacher who supplied abolitionist forces in Kansas
with “Beecher’s Bibles”
Border Ruffians – Missourians who crossed into Kansas prior to the election who helped to sway the election
in favor of a pro-slavery government – they later fought against the Kansas “Jay Hawk s”
Kansas Jay Hawks – People who fought against the Border Ruffians and pro-slavery forces in Kansas
Stephen Douglas – aka. – “The Little Giant” put forward the idea of the Kansas Nebraska Act and Pop. Sov.
Important footnote to history: By 1853 – all 3 great leaders in Congress will have died… a problem?
Without a strong president and no leadership in Congress… the ship of state is sailing into stormy seas!
Ch. 16 Sec. 4 The Republican Party Emerges:
Explain the origins of/birth of the Republican Party – Many people wanted a political party who spoke out
against slavery – they did not believe that the Whigs or the Democrats did so with enough enthusiasm. 1854 a
group of Free-Soilers, northern Democrats and abolitionists came together in Michigan and they formed the
Republican Party. Its main goal was to prevent slavery from spreading into the western territories. The party
grew quickly and by 1856 they chose John C. Fremont “Frontier Fremont’ as their Presidential candidate.
Election of 1856 – In the election – several people ran for office.
Republicans nominated John Fremont – goal to stop the spread of slavery in the West
Democrats nominated James Buchanan of Pa. - he was considered a “northern man with southern principles”
Know-Nothings nominated Millard Fillmore – he strongly supported the union and feared a Republican
victory could split the nation.
Buchanan won by gaining a strong amount of southern and northern support but a signal of things to come
was seen too…. Fremont got 1/3 the popular vote – the anti-slavery movement was growing rapidly!
Lincoln – Douglas Debates- 1858- Abe Lincoln – a Republican went up against Democrat Stephen Douglas
“The Little Giant” in Illinois Senate race…Douglas was expected to win easily! Douglas reluctantly agreed
to go against Lincoln in a series of 7 debates. A primary topic of debate was the issue of slavery.
Douglas’ view – he personally disliked slavery but believed using popular sovereignty to settle the issue.
Lincoln: Was against the expansion of slavery into the territories – he believed it was morally, socially and
politically wrong but he was not an abolitionist and had no intentions of ending it where it was
Rise of Lincoln – The debates got a great amount of local/state publicity and in time word spread throughout
the north. Although Lincoln lost the election – he became a prominent personality in the Republican Party
and in just 2 short years would be selected to run for president in the 1860 race.
John Brown’s Raid – Meanwhile – 1859, John Brown, a “hero” of Pottawatomie had been busy seeking
funding from Northern abolitionists – his goal was to start a rebellion that would either set slaves free in the
south or plunge the nation into a larger war in order to set the slaves free. His plan – lead a raid on the arsenal
at Harper’s Ferry Virginia, seize the weapons and with the help of slaves who he believed would join in – he
would lead an insurrection against slavery in the surrounding countryside – the insurrections would grow as
more plantations were captured and as slaves joined in. Why do this? God had told him to do it!
Brown and his men did in fact take the arsenal but they delayed – waiting for the slaves to arrive as
reinforcements and in doing so became surrounded by Union soldiers led by Robert E. Lee.
Brown and his men were captured, 10 men were killed and Brown was put on trial and Brown did little to
fight on against the Union forces… the plan and outcome seemed insane!
John Brown’s Trial – John Brown was charged with treason and murder, he sat quietly and did little to
defend his actions as the trial proceeded. Prior to sentencing – Brown made a stirring defense of his actions –
stating that he acted out Righteousness and acted in God’s name… he was found guilty and sentenced to hang!
Opinions of John Brown – Northerners, John Brown was viewed as a martyr, a hero, a person who was
willing to do God’s work and willing to lay down his life for a Righteous cause – the abolition of slavery!
Southerners: Most southerners viewed Brown as a lunatic, a nut, whose plan was ill conceived and was itself
evidence of his craziness. He was seen as a murderer a traitor, and troublemaker but importantly his acts
aroused fear…they came to sense that something larger was going to happen. What if others thought as he?
Incidentals: John C. Fremont, Robert E. Lee,
Battle Hymn of the Republic – A primary Union battle song was based on a song about John Brown
Ch. 16 Sec. 5 A Nation Divided:
The Election of 1860 – positions of candidates and results – consisted of 4 “Favorite Sons” and the
splitting of the Democratic Party – disaster to a party in any election.
N. Democrats – Stephen Douglas of Illinois who believed in – believed in Popular Sovereignty
S. Democrats – John Breckinridge of Kentucky – believed in the expansion of slavery
Constit. Union Party – John Bell of Tennessee – a moderate - wanted to hold the Union together
Republicans – Abraham Lincoln of Illinois – did not want slavery to expand
Lincoln – but in doing so, he failed to take a single southern state and was not even listed on the ballots.
The South was outraged, saw this as the beginning of the end and as “Tyranny” and according to
Locke… as they had little or no say at all in who got elected and what their policies were to be!
{See pie charts and map on page 479
Lincoln got what % of pop. Vote? ___
Electoral Vote? _____
Secession – Even prior to the election, the governor of S. Carolina had advised other states that if
Lincoln had won that it would be time for the South to secede from the Union…and so after the election
states began to do so. Ken. Sen. Crittenden suggested a bill permitting slavery in the west – it failed!
Birth of the Confederacy – Began on Dec. 20th, 1860 when S. Carolina seceded. By February 1861,
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas seceded and at a convention in
Montgomery, Alabama the states created the Confederate States of America – President Jeff. Davis
Lincoln’s Difficult Decision – Lincoln had swore that he would not be the one to begin a war but Jeff.
Davis ordered southern forces to start seizing forts in the South. Lincoln’s Dilemma? If he lets the
South persist he looks weak and seems to be permitting secession but if he resists and sends in troops –
he could be helping to start a war… and could lose the support of the “Border States”
Border States – key – a buffer zone in war – consisted of Missouri, Maryland, Kentucky, Virginia
Events at Fort Sumter – The fort was located on a island just outside Charleston and protected the
entrance into the harbor. Union officer Maj. Robert Anderson was in charge of the fort and would not
surrender it. Confederate Officer Gen. P.G. T. Beauregard was commanded to seize the fort. On April
11th, 1861 – confederate cannons opened fire on the fort. Union troops quickly ran out of ammunition
and were doomed to surrender. Anderson had asked for assistance, men, ammunition but none came
and he was forced to surrender. Should Lincoln have sent in the needed supplies? War on!
Major Robert Anderson – commanded the Union forces at Fort Sumter
{Both will be heard from again}
Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard – commanded the Confederate forces taking Fort Sumter
Incidentals –
Lincoln’s Inaugural Speech – let us read a few passages as proof to Lincoln’s intentions as President!
As further enrichment – the class will complete various “enrichment activities.”
War On!
Quiz/test to come!
Additional Notes/Comments
Thoughts to consider:
In the South, even today, some text books may refer to the Civil War as either the “War of Northern
Aggression”, the “War for State’s Rights” or the “War Between the States”. Which title seems most
accurate and appropriate?
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Having been taught many of the reasons for the division between the North and the South; In your
opinion what stands as the single most important cause for the way? How so or why?
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How did a lack of strong leadership contribute to the crises that would give rise to the Civil War?
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In your opinion, which side was right {N or S} and which side should take the blame for the war?
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Final Comments: