Sectional Balance Undone

Ms. Bolognini

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Kansas-Nebraska Act 5 W’s–Who: Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois –What: • Nebraska Territory to be spilt into two: Nebraska

Territory in the north and Kansas Territory in the south• both territories would be given popular sovereignty

–Where: Nebraska Territory –When: 1854–Why: • it was a way to deal with the slavery issue by allowing

the people to decide (democracy)• Congress couldn’t agree because politicians had

sectional interests

Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas 5 W’s– Who: Proslavery Missourians (“border ruffians”) and anti-slavery Free-

Staters– What:

• “border ruffians” rode into Kansas in November, 1854 to vote in the election in support of a pro-slavery government

• Election result-proslavery government wins– Set up state government in Lecompton

• Anti-slavery supporters felt that the election was a sham, and held separate elections– Set up state government in Topeka

– Where: Kansas Territory– When: November, 1854– Why:

• People rushed into Kansas to stuff the ballots to promote their sectional interests (make Kansas slave or free)

• Acts of violence in Kansas ( pro-slavery activists attacked and ransacked the town of Lawrence, Kansas, which had been founded by anti-slavery settlers= GUERILLA WAR!

Lecompton/ Topeka Constitution

Constitution Hall, site of the Lecompton Constitutional Convention

Lecompton/ Topeka Constitutions 5 W’s

– Who: pro-slavery and anti-slavery people living in Kansas– What:

• pro-slavery faction sets up state government in Lecompton• Anti-slavery faction holds separate elections and sets up

state government in Topkeka– Where: Kansas Territory– When: 1855 constitutions were drafted – Why:

• Anti-slavery supporters felt that the election was a sham, and held separate elections to create a separate constitution (Topeka)

Sack of Lawrence/ Pottawatomie Massacre

Sack of Lawrence/ Pottawatomie Massacre 5 W’s

– Who: pro-slavery activists– What:

• pro-slavery activists attacked and ransacked the anti-slavery town of Lawrence, Kansas

• John Brown (abolitionist who believed that God called on him to fight slavery) raided the pro-slavery settlement Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas and killed 5 people

• spurred guerrilla warfare= “Bleeding Kansas” (200 deaths)

– Where: Lawrence, Kansas– When: May 21, 1856 (sacking of Lawrence); May 24

(night)- May 25 (morning) 1856– Why:

• John Brown wanted revenge because he heard an incorrect rumor that 5 anti-slavery settlers were killed at the Sack of Lawrence

• Sectional tensions were spawning warfare

Violence in the Senate

Charles Sumner Preston Brooks

Violence in the Senate 5 W’s– Who: Charles Sumner and Preston Brooks – What:

• Charles Sumner (MA) delivered multiple speeches attacking slavery and made fun of Andrew Butler (SC) for his pro-slavery views and his impaired speech (was an old man)

• Butler’s nephew, Preston Brooks (Rep. SC) walks into the Senate and beats Sumner over the head with this cane

– Where: Senate Floor – When: May 22, 1856– Why:

• Preston Brooks was defending the honor of both his uncle, Andrew Butler, and the Southern way of life

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Dred Scott Decision 5 W’s

• Who: Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney• What:

– Dred Scott sued for his freedom after his master died claiming that since he was brought to a free state (Illinois), he was considered to be free according to the Missouri Compromise

– HOLDING:• Decision written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney (hated Republicans

and racial equality) that Scott was not considered free

– Where: Supreme Court – When: 1857– Why: blacks were not citizens (free or slaves) so Scott

could not sue in federal court