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Slavery, the South and the causes of secession, 1850 to 61
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In the 1850s arguments over slavery in new territories grew violent. Lincoln's election in 1860 led Southern states to leave the Union.
Compromise and conflict
Compromise of 1850: California joined as a free state; a tough Fugitive Slave Act helped slave owners recapture escaped slaves, angering the North.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): settlers would vote on slavery. Pro- and anti-slavery settlers fought in 'Bleeding Kansas'.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): settlers would vote on slavery. Pro- and anti-slavery settlers fought in 'Bleeding Kansas'.
Rising tension
Dred Scott case (1857): the Supreme Court ruled that enslaved people were not citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories. Northerners were outraged.
John Brown (1859) raided an arsenal at Harpers Ferry, hoping to start a slave rising. He was hanged; the North saw him as a martyr, the South as a terrorist.
John Brown (1859) raided an arsenal at Harpers Ferry, hoping to start a slave rising. He was hanged; the North saw him as a martyr, the South as a terrorist.
Lincoln and secession
Abraham Lincoln, a Republican opposed to the spread of slavery, won the presidential election of 1860 without any Southern states.
South Carolina seceded (left the Union) in December 1860, followed by other Southern states.
The war began when Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in April 1861.
South Carolina seceded (left the Union) in December 1860, followed by other Southern states.
The war began when Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Why did Lincoln's election lead to secession?
- Lincoln opposed the spread of slavery into new territories.
- He won without support from any Southern state.
- Southern leaders feared slavery would be threatened, so they left the Union.
Answer: The South feared a president elected only by the North would threaten slavery.
Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act; Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) and Bleeding Kansas; Dred Scott (1857); John Brown's raid (1859). Lincoln won in 1860; South Carolina seceded in December 1860, and the war began at Fort Sumter (April 1861).
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