2. THE DIVISIVE POLITICS OF
SLAVERY
• Over the centuries, the
Northern and Southern
sections of the United
States had developed
into two very different
cultural and economic
regions
• There were also
differences in geography
and climate, as well as
religious differences
3. THE SOUTH BEFORE THE
WAR
• Rural plantation
economy
• Relied on slave labor
• “Peculiar Institution”
created tension
• Southerners feared
that the loss of
slavery would mean
lose of cultureFamily working the cotton
field on a Plantation
4. THE NORTH BEFORE THE
WAR• The North had a
more diverse
economy
• Industry flourished
• Openly opposed
slavery in the
South and the new
territories
• More urbanized
than South
BOSTON HARBOR
5. Wilmot Proviso
Example of SECTIONALISM in the country
• Northern sponsored bill in 1846; David Wilmot, (D)PA
• Stipulated that slavery be prohibited in any territory acquired
from Mexico. CA.UT.NM
• Passed House (Northern Majority); failed Senate.
Was the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional?
North View South View
Northerners cite “elastic clause”
Missouri Compromise gave
Congress control over legislation
regarding slavery in the territories.
John Calhoun: slaves were
property by the 5th amendment;
property rights protected by could
carry their slave anywhere.
constitution; slaveholders
6. California Statehood
• California Gold Rush
• Population boom let
CA skip territorial
status and apply
directly for
statehood.
• Slave State or Free
State?
• CA would upset the
“Balance of Power”
between the sections
7. Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay
Great Compromiser
1. California enters the union as a free state
2. In the rest of the Mexican cession
territory “popular sovereignty” would
decide.
3. $10 Million to Settle border dispute
between TX & NM
4. End of the slave trade (not slavery) in
Washington DC
5. Stronger Fugitive Slave Law.
9. Fugitive Slave Act
• Federal Crime to help runaway slaves
• Officials could arrest runaways in areas where slavery
banned.
• Federal Marshalls could organize posses.
• no trial by jury for fugitives
• fugitives could not testify on their own behalf
• fugitives returned to slavery on testimony of claimants
• court-appointed commissioners paid $10 if rule for claimant;
$5 if rule for fugitive
• Hiding a runaway—6 months in jail and $1000 fine.
Leads to the Underground RR—19 trips
Harriet (Moses) Tubman
23. Dred Scott decision (1857)
• DS was taken from Mo. To Wi. (free terr.)
• DS sued for his freedom
U.S. Supreme Court:
– Dominated by Southerners
– Chief Justice Taney (South Carolina)
• 1. DS cannot sue – not a citizen
• 2. Residence in Wisconsin does not grant
freedom
– Still “property”
• 3. Mo. Compromise unconstitutional
• Reactions of North and South???
