Slavery and SecessionUnit 1- Slavery and the Nation Divided

I. Dred Scott Decision- Dred Scott was a slave that was taken to Illinois and Wisconsin (free states) by his masterScott sued for his freedomSupreme Court ruled 7-2 against Scott,

citing:Constitution’s protection of property Scott is not considered a citizen

Decision increased tension over slavery

II. Harper’s Ferry- A small town in

Virginia, John Brown planned a slave revolt there (1859), while politicians debated slaveryBrown and 21 men, black and white,

seized a federal arsenal60 locals were held hostage

Brown hoped their slaves would join the fight

Federal troops came, killed 8 of Brown’s men, and captured BrownBrown hung for treason

III. 1860 Presidential ElectionRepublicans

nominated Abraham Lincoln

Democrats splitLincoln win the

election with less then half of the popular vote and no Southern electoral votes

Southern states were not happy

1860 ELECTION RESULTS

IV. Southern SecessionLincoln’s election

convinced Southerners that they had to act

South Carolina seceded first in Dec. 1860

Southern states formed the Confederacy, or Confederate States in Feb. 1861

Jefferson Davis was elected their President