THE BREAKING POINT

Dred Scott v. Sandford• Dred Scott was a slave.• He was brought to a free state and sued for his freedom.

• He stated since he was in a state where slavery was illegal he was then a free man

• Supreme Court disagreed.• Stated slaves were property, not citizens.

Impact of Dred Scott case• Scott was official labeled property by the US government.• Supreme Court also ruled that Congress could not pass

laws limiting slavery (that’s limiting property rights). • Therefore, all laws setting up free states were illegal.

• If slave owners wanted to live in north, they could have slaves

Lincoln-Douglas Debates• Illinois Senate race

• Stephen A. Douglas v. Abraham Lincoln• Their debates focused on the expansion of slavery.

• Douglas was all for popular sovereignty (this is illegal because of Dred Scott case)

• Lincoln wanted to ensure it did not expand into new states• Lincoln beat Douglas on slavery issue but lost the

election.

Harpers Ferry• Abolitionist John Brown wanted to start a slave uprising.

• His plan was to capture a military weapons arsenal and attack slave owners

• Brown and his men were captured and tried for treason• He was hanged for his actions

• Abolitionists viewed Brown as a hero while Southerners viewed him as a terrorist.

John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?Hero

John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?

•Terrorist

John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?

HeroJohn Brown’s Body• Old John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the

grave,While weep the sons of bondage whom he ventured all to save;But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave,His truth is marching on.

Chorus:Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!His truth is marching on!

John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true and brave;Kansas knew his valor when he fought her rights to save;And now though the grass grows green above his grave,His truth is marching on. Chorus

Terrorist

John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?

Hero

• “If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery…. Until this blow was struck, the prospect for freedom was dim, shadowy and uncertain.” • Frederick Douglass

Terrorist• “Brown’s attempt to create a

bloody uprising in Virginia helped close the final door to compromise between the North and the South. His name should be as odious today as those of other people whose violence sparked mass killing. He will lead to war and the death of hundreds of thousands– mark my words” • Anonymous Southerner

Your Task!• In your notes, write a paragraph answering the question

Should John Brown be considered a hero or a terrorist? Why? Use examples from class.