Violence Erupts in the UnionCh. 10 Sec. 2

Main Idea

The Compromise of 1850 led to a further increase in sectional tensions. ◦Was it justified?◦As sectional tensions rose, some Americans

openly defied laws they thought were unjust.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

1852-Uncle Tom’s Cabin- Written by Harriett Beecher Stowe.◦Sells more than 300,000 copies.◦Northerners angry over story of abuse◦Southerners angry over how slavery is

portrayed.◦Tried to have the book banned.

Emotionalization over slavery

Fugitive Slave Act

Fugitive Slave Act- tougher laws to prevent slaves from running away. ◦A sworn statement from a white

person is all the courts needed to bring an African American back south. Denied right to a trial by jury. People who refused to help capture

a slave could be jailed.

Fugitive Slave Act

◦Seems to benefit South. But…

◦1. It becomes a rallying point for abolitionists. ◦2. Northerners are not inclined to enforce it. ◦3. Popular opinion and personal liberty made it

unenforceable. Further increased sectionalism.

Underground Railroad

Frederick Douglass uses the Fugitive Slave Act to rally abolitionists. ◦Underground Railroad

Members call “conductors”. Harriett Tubman Designed to move slaves to Canada.

◦Phony floors and walls◦Psychological impact probably greater than actual

impact.

CensusYear

# Slaves# Freeblacks

Totalblack

 % freeblacks

Total USpopulation

 % blackof total

1790 697,681 59,527 757,208 7.9% 3,929,214 19%

1800 893,602 108,435 1,002,037 10.8% 5,308,483 19%

1810 1,191,362 186,446 1,377,808 13.5% 7,239,881 19%

1820 1,538,022 233,634 1,771,656 13.2% 9,638,453 18%

1830 2,009,043 319,599 2,328,642 13.7% 12,860,702 18%

1840 2,487,355 386,293 2,873,648 13.4% 17,063,353 17%

1850 3,204,313 434,495 3,638,808 11.9% 23,191,876 16%

1860 3,953,760 488,070 4,441,830 11.0% 31,443,321 14%

1870 0 4,880,009 4,880,009 100% 38,558,371 13%

Source: http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab01.xls

Transcontinental Railroad

Secretary of War (Jefferson Davis) organized the Gadsden Purchase.◦Purchased in 1853 from Mexico at the southern

skirt of the Rocky Mts. for $10 Mil. Railroad connecting West-East could unite the

country and end sectional differences. Would also be greatly beneficial economically.

Transcontinental Railroad

Potential routes for the railroad:◦1. Northern-Minneapolis to Seattle◦2. Central- Chicago to San Francisco◦3. Central- Memphis to Los Angeles◦4. Southern- New Orleans to San Diego

Southern route makes most sense.◦Least costly.◦Travels through organized territory.

◦Stephen Douglass proposes a bill to organize Nebraska, which sold the Northern route. Southern Senators refuse to pass the bill unless the

Missouri Compromise is repealed and Nebraska is admitted as a slave state.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Sen. Douglass (IL) proposes the Kansas-Nebraska Act◦Provisions:

1. Divide Nebraska into two territories. 2. Popular sovereignty would be used to

determine slavery issue. 3. Missouri Compromise would be voided. 4. Implicitly- Nebraska would be free, Kansas

would be slave—Or so the south thought. ◦Passes on May 25, 1854

Problems with the K-N Act

Bleeding KansasJohn Brown's Raid