Territorial Expansion and Slavery Flashcards
when did texas declare independence
1836
when President Polk was elected what were his ambitions with Texas
to annex Mexican territory and brought texas into the union in 1845
large lands from treaty of Guadalupe hidalgo 1848
what was the danger of the Mexican war
lots of territory gained issues over slavery
what did David wilmot propose about the Mexican war
slavery should never enter any territory gained from the Mexican war
what was the Missouri Compromise
1820
didnt allow any new slave states to exist above the southern border of Missouri at 36 30
southern view of the Missouri compromise
there were arguments put forward that Congress had no power to exclude slavery from any territorial state, and the new states should be equal to the old states who made up their own minds about the issue. The restriction on slavery above 36°30° was seen as insulting to the S
outh and its way of life.
northern view of the Missouri Compromise
Some Northern politicians, said that Congress should end slavery in the territories as it had done with North Western Ordinance. The opening up of slavery below the 36°30° seemed to threaten the rights of free settlers to move into the South West.
what was the compromise of 1850
new territory above the 36° 30° line could now become slave states if that is what popular sovereignty chose. This was agreed, but California and Oregon were added to the free states in return for agreeing a much stricter Fugitive Slave Act. Washington DC also stopped the slave trade, but not slavery. The territories of Utah, which was above the line and was a vast amount of newly acquired land from the war with Mexico and New Mexico, were organised and opened to slavery by popular sovereignty
what was the southern view of Compromise of 1850
objected to criticism of slavery implied by the end of the Washington DC slave trade
what was the northern view of compromise of 1850
concerned with implication of popular sovereignty
power of deciding slavery was taken away from congress
what were the proposals for Kansas
Topeka
Lecompton
Leavenworth
Wyandotte
what was the Topeka constitution
was drafted by free state supporters in reaction to contested elections that gave the proslavery party initial control of Kansas’ territorial government. The Topeka Constitution prohibited slavery. Congress rejected this constitution and the accompanying request for Kansas to be admitted to the Union.
what was the Lecompton constitution
was written by proslavery supporters. The document permitted slavery, excluded free blacks from living in Kansas, and allowed only male citizens of the United States to vote. In the third and final vote, residents of Kansas Territory rejected the Lecompton Constitution.
what was the Leavenworth Constitution
was the most radical of the four constitutions drafted for Kansas Territory. The Bill of Rights refers to “all men” and prohibited slavery from the state. The word “white” did not appear in the proposed document and therefore would not have excluded free blacks from the state. This also gave some protection for the rights of women. The Leavenworth Constitution was ratified on May 18, 1858 but the U.S. Senate did not act to approve the document.
what was the Wyandotte Constitution
became the Constitution of the State of Kansas on January 29, 1861, when Kansas was admitted as a free state (after six slave states withdrew from Congress) to the United States of America as the 34th state
Uncle Toms Cabin
The wide spread popularity of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, both reflected and reinforced the strong feelings of guilt and loathing towards slavery felt in the North in 1851
southern beliefs of the Kansas Nebraska act
They believed that it would prevent further interference from Congress over the issue of slavery. It would bolster the South politically and give them the opportunity to see slavery expand into further areas.
Northern belief of the Kansas Nebraska act
Many felt that this new territory, that was open to Popular Sovereignty could sway the balance in favour of more slave states. Abolitionists were unhappy about this and set up the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Society and began sending free trade settlers into Kansas territory to try to prevent a further slave state evolving.
what was the dred Scott decision
Ruled Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional and said slaves were not entitled to be citizens and all African Americans could become slaves 1857.
southern view of the dred Scott decision
The Southerners feel that the Supreme Court and the US Constitution are on their side.
northern view of the dred Scott decision
Republicans and Northern Democrats strongly criticised the court’s decision. By refusing to support the decision, Northern Democrats alienated the Southern wing of their party, and the stage was set for the break up of the Democratic party in 1860, paving the way for a Republican victory.
what were the John Brown Raids
John Brown aimed to start a slave revolt in Virginia. JB had a track record of murders and violence in his history, he had already killed some pro-slavery settlers in Kansas. Hoped that he would have over 4000 men to support his idea to raid the Federal Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. He seized the federal complex with little resistance. It consisted of an armory, arsenal, and engine house. He then sent a patrol out into the country to contact slaves, collected several hostages, including the great grandnephew of George Washington, and sat down to wait. JB did not get the support from the slaves that he expected and it was not well organsied. JB was captured after 36 hours and raid was easily suppressed by Colonel Lee.
southern view of the John brown raids
Fearful of another abolitionist attack. The fact that Brown had managed to arm slaves was terrifying to them as they thought it could easily happen again. Increased the desire for secession.
northern view of the John brown raids
Felt that Federal Gov. were willing to defend the rights of the Southerners when they executed JB. There was no evidence that he had shot anybody. He became a martyr for the cause of the abolitionists.
bleeding Kansas events in April 1854
Massachusetts Emigrant Fund set up. Free soilers sent into Kansas to be able to vote for free state. Missourians, respond by sending pro-slavery groups in to vote.
bleeding kansas events in November 1854
First territorial legislature elections accusations of electoral fraud by influx of proslavery men from Missouri. Abolitionists brought in shipments of arms that were disguised as ‘Beecher’s Bibles’.
bleeding Kansas events in November 1855
after the murder of a free State settler, violence intensified.
bleeding kansas events in December 1855
pro slave forces besieged the free State town of Lawrence but the governor established a peaceful settlement. Free State settlers met at Topeka to draw up an antislavery constitution, which was not accepted by pro-slave forces.
bleeding kansas events in may 1856
pro-slavery forces again attacked Lawrence, sacking the town.
bleeding kansas events in 22nd may 1856
Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner condemned the violence and was caned in the Senate by South Carolina senator Preston Brooks, and nearly died
bleeding kansas events in 25th may 1856
Abolitionist John Brown and his family killed 5 proslavery men a Pottawatomie Creek.
bleeding kansas events in July 1856
500 federal troops forced the dispersal of the Free State legislature
bleeding kansas events in August 1856
Large scale clashes between pro and anti-slavery armed groups at Osawatomie
