Politics and the Causes of Politics and the Causes of the Civil Warthe Civil War

IntroductionIntroduction

Begin to see political division before the United States is Begin to see political division before the United States is formed as a nationformed as a nationFrom the Declaration of Independence through the firing From the Declaration of Independence through the firing on Fort Sumter, North and South struggled to make on Fort Sumter, North and South struggled to make compromises that would strengthen the bond between the compromises that would strengthen the bond between the regions.regions.North looked at slavery as a “North looked at slavery as a “peculiar institutionpeculiar institution” that did ” that did not jive with founding documents. South viewed slavery as not jive with founding documents. South viewed slavery as a significant part of their heritage and culturea significant part of their heritage and culture

Early Sectional Examples Early Sectional Examples Regarding SlaveryRegarding Slavery

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

Northwest Ordinance of 1787Northwest Ordinance of 1787

The United States ConstitutionThe United States Constitution

Missouri CompromiseMissouri Compromise• Tallmadge AmendmentTallmadge Amendment

Political Parties of the 19th Century

Jackson creates the Democrats

Opponents create the Whigs• Free Soil Party

• American Party (Know Nothings)

• Republican Party

Democratic Party

Embraced labor theory of value: the proceeds of wealth should go to the person that creates the productDid not like wage labor thus had problems with industrialization• Turned workers into slaves

Embraced immigrants: they were votes• Championed individual rights• Supported separation of church and state (Catholic immigrants applauded)• Opposed temperance

Slavery issue splitState government Opposed tariffs, transportation improvements, national bank

The Whigs

Internal improvementsTariffs to protect American industry and labor from low-wage foreign competitionCentralized banking systemMany embraced temperance – sober up AmericaBelieved public schools provided opportunity for all Americans to achieve success – provided an education for all – rich or poor

Had a southern contingent of wealthy land owners who opposed Jackson’s catering to the yeoman farmers

End of the Whigs

Taylor was an apolitical war hero elected because of name recognitionAnti-Jackson party without a clear vision on slaveryParty members split into newly formed parties:

1. Free Soilers 2. Know Nothings – American

Party 3. Republicans

Free Soilers

Created from Conscience Whigs

and anti-slavery Democrats Advocates of free soil, (availability of land to all in the west), free speech, and free men (abolition of slavery)

Nominated Martin Van Buren as president in 1848 and John P. Hale in 1852

Kept issue of abolition alive, but little impact otherwise

Know Nothings

Formed in the 1850’s of frustrated Whigs and DemocratsThe were what they were against: anti-Catholic, anti-immigrantWASPS and NativistsOpposed to large influx of Germans and Irish on the east coast in the 1840’sOnly presidential candidate: Millard Fillmore in 1856Split on slavery issue – not their priorityFavored temperanceOpposed taxes for parochial schoolsIncrease naturalization laws

ExpansionExpansion

Expansion of the borders further than the Expansion of the borders further than the Louisiana Purchase caused sectional issues Louisiana Purchase caused sectional issues because the question of slavery in the because the question of slavery in the territoriesterritories• TexasTexas

• Oregon TerritoryOregon Territory

• SouthwestSouthwest

TexasTexas

Independent nation in 1836Independent nation in 1836• Wanted to be annexed by USWanted to be annexed by US

They were a slaveholding nation (mostly Americans)They were a slaveholding nation (mostly Americans)• North didn’t want themNorth didn’t want them• Andrew Jackson did not want to upset the Mexican governmentAndrew Jackson did not want to upset the Mexican government

The 1844 election of James Polk The 1844 election of James Polk • John Tyler annexed Texas in 1845John Tyler annexed Texas in 1845

Texas was the 28th state and 15th slave state – upset Texas was the 28th state and 15th slave state – upset balance of powerbalance of power

Polk

Promised 4 things• Acceptable substitute for national bank –

established an independent treasury for government funds

• Lower tariff rate – (Walker Tariff – 1846)

• Get Oregon Territory from British

• Get SW from Mexico

Mexican American WarMexican American War – – 1845-18481845-1848

Polk wanted to acquire the California and Oregon Polk wanted to acquire the California and Oregon territoriesterritories

He negotiated with the British to get the Pacific NorthwestHe negotiated with the British to get the Pacific Northwest

He went to war with Mexico to get California and the He went to war with Mexico to get California and the SouthwestSouthwest

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded California territory Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded California territory (modern day SW United States)(modern day SW United States)

Unintended Consequences of Unintended Consequences of WarWar

Will the new territory acquired from the Will the new territory acquired from the treaty be slave or free?treaty be slave or free?• Why doesn’t Missouri Compromise apply?Why doesn’t Missouri Compromise apply?

Wilmot Proviso Wilmot Proviso • Slavery would not be permitted in any territory Slavery would not be permitted in any territory

acquired from the Mexican-American War.acquired from the Mexican-American War.

• Southerners were not happy about thisSoutherners were not happy about this

Compromise of 1850 - IntroCompromise of 1850 - Intro

1849 - Gold Rush1849 - Gold Rush• California reached its population quota to apply for California reached its population quota to apply for

statehoodstatehood

California applied as a free stateCalifornia applied as a free state• Southerners did not supportSoutherners did not support

Henry Clay and Daniel Webster came up with a Henry Clay and Daniel Webster came up with a solutionsolution

Compromise of 1850 - TermsCompromise of 1850 - Terms

1.1. Admit California as a free stateAdmit California as a free state2.2. Texas/New Mexico border dispute Texas/New Mexico border dispute

1.1. Federal government forgave $10 million of Texas debtFederal government forgave $10 million of Texas debt2.2. New Mexico gets territory in questionNew Mexico gets territory in question

3.3. New Mexico and Utah formed into federal territories - popular New Mexico and Utah formed into federal territories - popular sovereigntysovereignty

4.4. Slave Trade would be abolished in the District of ColumbiaSlave Trade would be abolished in the District of Columbia5.5. Strengthen the Fugitive Slave ActStrengthen the Fugitive Slave Act

• Placed burden of proof on the African-American to prove his/her Placed burden of proof on the African-American to prove his/her freedomfreedom

• Provided federal funds for the effortProvided federal funds for the effort• Created harsh punishments for whites who aided escaped slavesCreated harsh punishments for whites who aided escaped slaves

• $1000 fine, 6 months in jail$1000 fine, 6 months in jail

Compromise of 1850 – Compromise of 1850 – ResolutionResolution

It is debated in CongressIt is debated in Congress• Support Support

• Daniel WebsterDaniel Webster

• OppositionOpposition• Salmon Chase and William SewardSalmon Chase and William Seward• Jeff DavisJeff Davis• Zach Taylor Zach Taylor

• Congress voted it downCongress voted it down

Stephan Douglas tried to push it through as five separate Stephan Douglas tried to push it through as five separate pieces of legislation and all five passpieces of legislation and all five pass• Taylor had died, Fillmore supported the billTaylor had died, Fillmore supported the bill

Civil War is averted for nowCivil War is averted for now

Problems with the Compromise Problems with the Compromise of 1850of 1850

Fugitive Slave law breaks downFugitive Slave law breaks down• South’s big win from CompromiseSouth’s big win from Compromise

North…North…• Interfered with slave catchersInterfered with slave catchers• Tried to nullify the Fugitive Slave ActTried to nullify the Fugitive Slave Act• Sympathy for African Americans in courtroomsSympathy for African Americans in courtrooms

North was out to get them in their eyesNorth was out to get them in their eyes

The Kansas-Nebraska ActThe Kansas-Nebraska Act and and Popular Sovereignty, 1854Popular Sovereignty, 1854

Stephan Douglas (Illinois) proposedStephan Douglas (Illinois) proposed• wanted to be President – win southern voteswanted to be President – win southern votes• owned great deal of Chicago real estateowned great deal of Chicago real estate

His idea: divide Nebraska territory into two territories and His idea: divide Nebraska territory into two territories and let Popular Sovereignty determine free/slave issuelet Popular Sovereignty determine free/slave issueDouglas has influence in the Senate and is able to win Douglas has influence in the Senate and is able to win support for this. support for this. It functionally shuts down the Missouri Compromise.It functionally shuts down the Missouri Compromise.ProblemsProblems• Leads to Bleeding KansasLeads to Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas Bleeding Kansas (1854-1859)(1854-1859)

Pro-slave and free-soilers immigrate to Kansas Pro-slave and free-soilers immigrate to Kansas • New England Aid SocietyNew England Aid Society• Missouri border ruffiansMissouri border ruffians

Fierce struggle between the Lecompton Government (pro-Fierce struggle between the Lecompton Government (pro-slavery) and the Topeka Free Governmentslavery) and the Topeka Free GovernmentTremendous amount of vigilantism and bloodshedTremendous amount of vigilantism and bloodshed• Sack of LawrenceSack of Lawrence • Pottawatomie CreekPottawatomie Creek

Bleeding Kansas proved that popular sovereignty is not Bleeding Kansas proved that popular sovereignty is not working in Kansasworking in Kansas

Whigs are Dead

Southern Whigs form Constitutional Union party or become Know Nothings

Northern Whigs become free soilers or Republicans• Free soilers don’t last – too divided on all other issues

Know-Nothings don’t become a big party• Immigration decreases in 1850s

• Slavery is clearly a bigger deal

Republican Party

Founded in Ripon, WI - 1854

Kansas-Nebraska caused Abe Lincoln to go into politics and join the Republicans

Anti-slavery

Whiggish in economics – favored federal banks, internal improvements, promoting industry

Encouraged western settlement with land grants

Rise in political tension: Sumner Rise in political tension: Sumner & Brooks& Brooks

Spring 1856: Senator Charles Sumner (Mass)Spring 1856: Senator Charles Sumner (Mass)• Incendiary remarks against Southerners; targeted Andrew Butler Incendiary remarks against Southerners; targeted Andrew Butler

(SC)(SC)

Preston Brooks – Southern Rep in the HousePreston Brooks – Southern Rep in the House• Comes to Senate and beats Sumner unconscious with a cane on the Comes to Senate and beats Sumner unconscious with a cane on the

Senate floor. Senate floor.

Traumatic event and engages the national pressTraumatic event and engages the national pressNortherners argued that this is the type of violence that is Northerners argued that this is the type of violence that is produced from slaveryproduced from slaveryThis attitude makes it difficult to come to an agreement on This attitude makes it difficult to come to an agreement on sectional issues.sectional issues.

Ostend ManifestoOstend Manifesto

Expand SouthExpand South• Polk tried in 1848 to buy SpainPolk tried in 1848 to buy Spain• Filibusters Spanish consider offering emancipation to Filibusters Spanish consider offering emancipation to

slaves on Cubaslaves on Cuba

Southerners feared emancipation so close to USSoutherners feared emancipation so close to USAmerican diplomats meet in Ostend, BelgiumAmerican diplomats meet in Ostend, Belgium• Suggest that Spain sell, otherwise possible invasionSuggest that Spain sell, otherwise possible invasion

Northern papers are tipped off and go crazyNorthern papers are tipped off and go crazyPierce administration renounced idea from Pierce administration renounced idea from pressurepressure• K-N Act hurt Pierce’s popularityK-N Act hurt Pierce’s popularity

The Dred Scott StoryThe Dred Scott Story

Slave of a military physician (John Emerson) - Slave of a military physician (John Emerson) - Missouri. Missouri.

In 1834 - moved to Illinois and territory of In 1834 - moved to Illinois and territory of Wisconsin. Wisconsin.

In 1838, Scott returns to Missouri, resides with is In 1838, Scott returns to Missouri, resides with is owner until the owner diesowner until the owner dies

Since slavery was illegal in territories north of the Since slavery was illegal in territories north of the 36/30 parallel, sues in Missouri courts36/30 parallel, sues in Missouri courts

The Dred Scott Decision, 1857The Dred Scott Decision, 1857

Missouri lower court (St. Louis County) ruled in his favor Missouri lower court (St. Louis County) ruled in his favor - 1850- 1850Missouri State Supreme Court overturned the decision - Missouri State Supreme Court overturned the decision - 18521852Elevated to the Federal Supreme Court in 1856Elevated to the Federal Supreme Court in 1856Ruling: Ruling: • Southern Justices dominated the Supreme Court (5-4). Ruled 6-3 Southern Justices dominated the Supreme Court (5-4). Ruled 6-3

against Scott.against Scott.• Roger Taney (pronounced Tawney) Chief Justice said, Roger Taney (pronounced Tawney) Chief Justice said,

• Slaves don’t have a right to sue in a federal courtSlaves don’t have a right to sue in a federal court• Applied the full faith and credit clauseApplied the full faith and credit clause• Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because only states had Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because only states had

the right to determine whether they want to be free or slave. the right to determine whether they want to be free or slave.

The Justices & Dred Scott

Supreme Court making policy???

Five pro-southern justices

President James Buchanan influenced one Northern justice • Buchanan’s influenced was highly improper

Implications of Dred ScottImplications of Dred Scott

Slave holders could in theory go anywhere they Slave holders could in theory go anywhere they want in territories with their property (slaves)want in territories with their property (slaves)

The decision makes the slavery issue worseThe decision makes the slavery issue worse• Northerners outragedNortherners outraged

• This is a blow to northern democratic supporters of This is a blow to northern democratic supporters of popular sovereigntypopular sovereignty

• Southerners supported this decision but are upset with Southerners supported this decision but are upset with Northern reaction Northern reaction

Lecompton Constitution

Proslavery government writes a proslavery constitution for the state• Anti-slavery citizens boycott vote

Governor of Kansas implored Buchanan to reject the Constitution• Buchanan encouraged Congress to approve it

• Stephan Douglas opposed it • Caused issues between the two

Congress rejected the Constitution - 1857

John Brown John Brown Religious fundamentalist and Abolitionist Religious fundamentalist and Abolitionist Believed that he had to do the work of Believed that he had to do the work of GodGodHis mission was to eliminate slavery. His mission was to eliminate slavery. • He separated God’s law and the He separated God’s law and the

United States lawUnited States lawSpoke in New EnglandSpoke in New EnglandHe raised money from AbolitionistsHe raised money from AbolitionistsDeveloped plan to raid the South Developed plan to raid the South • Would cause a general uprising of slaves. Would cause a general uprising of slaves. • Eventually that would lead to a war that Eventually that would lead to a war that

would eliminate slaverywould eliminate slavery

John Brown’s Raid, 1859John Brown’s Raid, 1859

Oct 16th-18th at Harpers Ferry ,Va (now West Va)Oct 16th-18th at Harpers Ferry ,Va (now West Va)He recruited a 21 armed men and captured the federal He recruited a 21 armed men and captured the federal arsenal hoping to incite a slave rebellionarsenal hoping to incite a slave rebellionVirginia militia with some United States Marines (under Virginia militia with some United States Marines (under Col. R.E. Lee) retake the armory wounding & killing Col. R.E. Lee) retake the armory wounding & killing several of Brown’s men. Brown is capturedseveral of Brown’s men. Brown is capturedThe slave uprising he had hoped for never happenedThe slave uprising he had hoped for never happened

The AftermathThe Aftermath

Most northerners saw this as the act of a madmanMost northerners saw this as the act of a madmanThe south feared that this was the first of many attacks The south feared that this was the first of many attacks What happened to Brown?What happened to Brown?• Tried for treason and murder under Virginia State laws, not federal lawsTried for treason and murder under Virginia State laws, not federal laws• He was treated as a sane, deadly serious threat to the south and a He was treated as a sane, deadly serious threat to the south and a

murderer.murderer.• Convicted and scheduled to be hung on Dec. 2nd 1859. Convicted and scheduled to be hung on Dec. 2nd 1859.

• It was widely covered by the pressIt was widely covered by the press

He rejected all attempts to free him, commute his sentence, or pardon He rejected all attempts to free him, commute his sentence, or pardon him.him.

Public reactionPublic reaction

NorthNorth• Brown was martyred by abolitionists in the northBrown was martyred by abolitionists in the north• Ralph Waldo Emerson said “John Brown will make the gallows as Ralph Waldo Emerson said “John Brown will make the gallows as

glorious as Jesus made the Cross.”glorious as Jesus made the Cross.”• On the day of his execution, church bells tolled, cannons fired, sermons On the day of his execution, church bells tolled, cannons fired, sermons

were preachedwere preached

SouthSouth• Sees his actions as treasonistSees his actions as treasonist• One Southern Journal said “The North has sanctioned and applauded One Southern Journal said “The North has sanctioned and applauded

theft, murder and treason in the body of John Browntheft, murder and treason in the body of John Brown• Lynchings increaseLynchings increase• South felt they were under siege from the NorthSouth felt they were under siege from the North

It further separated the two sections of the countryIt further separated the two sections of the countryThis split the democratic party along sectional linesThis split the democratic party along sectional lines