Sectionalism & Secession

Dr. Yolanda Romero

I. Sectionalism

• Territorial Crisis– Wilmot Proviso (1846)

• Pros & Cons

Election of 1848

Northern Democrats-popular sovereignty

Southern Democrats-pro slavery

Whigs- no platform

Free Soil Party-proviso

Taylor’s Dilemma

• California

• Compromise of 1850

Election of 1852

• Fugitive Slaves a controversy

• Candidates

– Whigs-Winfield Scott• South-slavery and union

• North-free soil

– Democrats-Franklin Pierce

Crisis Deepens• Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852)

– Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Kansas Nebraska Act (1854)• Stephen Douglas

• Concession & repeal of 36’30

• Contest for Control – Emigrant Aid Society – Border Ruffians

• Parties Emerge– “Know Nothing Party”

– Republican Party

• Bleeding Kansas• Pierce Administration

– Denounced Free State Gov’t in Kansas

– John Brown Retaliates

• Election of 1856 – Republicans

– Democrats

– Know -nothings

• Results of 1856 Election

II.Secession• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

• Lecompton Constitution (1857)

• Lincoln-Douglas Debates(1858)– Lincoln-containment– Douglas-popular sovereignty

• “Freeport Doctrine”

• John Brown’s Raid (1859)

Election of 1860• Democrats

– N. Wing- Stephen Douglas• Pop sovereignty

– S. Wing- John Breckenridge• Federal protection

• Constitutional Union Party– John Bell

• Honor constitution & union

• Republicans– Abraham Lincoln

• platform

Rationale for Secession

•