Chapter 3 Part 2- American Party problems... Flashcards
Which party was the main anti-Democratic party in the North and South in 1855?
The Know Nothings, (The American Party)
What factors led to the decline of the American Party?
- They lost northern support because they dropped their anti Kansas-Nebraska position.
- Decline of nativism in the mid 1850s as there was a decline of immigration
- Failure of Know-nothing dominated legislatures
- The secretive side of the movement was hated
- Attracted ‘old guard politicians’ who the Know Nothings were set up to purge
Who became Speaker of the House in 1855?
Nathaniel Banks, an ex-Know Nothing but now a Republican
What differing characters attended the Republican national convention of 1856?
Abolitionists, ex-Whigs, ex- Democrats and ex- Know Nothings.
How would you describe the Republican platform?
Against the Democrat party and almost all were united in opposition to Slave Power, which was seen as conspiring against northern interests. Although Republicans had different views about the nature of the conspiracy, the idea of Slave Power conspiracy was a Republican article of faith. Many were against slavery expansion but not all supported immediate abolition.
Describe the events of Bleeding Sumner
Following a speech in which Senator Sumner attacked southern Senator Butler, Congressman Preston Brooks entered the Senate, found Sumner at his desk and beat him with his cane. This outraged northerners and they saw the event as a clear evidence of Slave Power at work. Sumner became a northern martyr while Brooks became a southern hero. Brooks won easily for re-election.
What issue split the American party in 1856?
The call to repeal the Kansas-Nebraska Act was defeated and caused many northerners to leave the convention.
Who did the American party select as their presidential candidate and why was he divisive?
Ex-president, Fillmore. Fillmore was more an old fashioned Whig than a Know Nothing and was known to have pro-southern sympathies and thus had limited appeal in the North.
Who did the Republicans decide as their candidate in 1856? What was his background?
John C. Fremont. He was born in the South and was a western explorer. He was a young ex-Know Nothing and ex-Democrat. He was rash and egotistical but his career as an explorer made him popular with voters.
What was the Republican platform?
Declared that Congress had must stand against slavery and polygamy, (referencing Mormon practices). Also supported the notion of a northern Pacific railroad.
Why was Douglas not selected on the Democratic ticket in 1856? Who was chosen and why?
He was tarnished by the his Kansas-Nebraska bill. The Democrats nominated James Buchanan instead. He had spent four decades in public service. He was a northerner and sympathised with the South. Given that his native state of Pennsylvania was a battleground state, he was the Democrats’ strongest candidate.
Who was the contest essentially between?
In the North, it was between Buchanan and Fremont. In the South, it was between Buchanan and Fillmore.
How did the Democrats attack the Republicans?
They called them rabid abolitionists who aimed to elevate blacks to equality with whites.
What were the results of the 1856 election?
Buchanan won. He won Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, California and all but one southern state.
Why was it a ‘good’ election for the Republicans?
- Their party had trounced the American part: the election indicated that northerners perceived Slave Power to be a greater threat than the Catholic church.
- Their party came close to capturing presidency.
What signs were there at the start that Buchanan would be a good president?
- If the problems of Kansas would be solved, then sectional tension was likely to ease.
- He had served both in the House and the Senate, in the Cabinet and as US minister in Russia and Britain. His position seemed strong.
- Both Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court were dominated by Democrats.
