Lecture Notes: Lincoln-Douglas Debates and Harper's Ferry

Classwork and Participation

• Reminder to finish and have classwork ready from Monday's session.
• Students are encouraged to actively engage in discussion, especially in room chat.
• Focus on understanding the division in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

• Key Figures: Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.
• Lincoln's Position: "This government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free."
• Douglas' Position: Believed the union could exist divided.
• Outcome: Douglas wins the Senate race narrowly.
• Significance: Despite losing, Lincoln's profile was elevated nationally.

Discussion Points

• Importance of understanding the differing views of Lincoln and Douglas.
• Encourage students to express thoughts on the key divides in the debates.

Harper's Ferry and John Brown

• John Brown: A radical abolitionist known for violent uprisings.
• Harper’s Ferry (1859): Brown led a raid on a federal armory intending to arm enslaved people for a rebellion.
• Outcome: Brown was defeated, convicted, and executed.
• Impact: Despite being radical, Brown's actions inspired abolitionists and increased tensions in the South.

Reactions and Implications

• Northern View: Saw Brown's stand as supporting the abolitionist cause, even if methods were extreme.
• Southern View: Heightened fear of Northern conspiracies against slavery.

Class Activities

• Students tasked with writing two sentences on Harper's Ferry and Brown's raid as an exit ticket.
• Upcoming work submissions due by Friday.

Conclusion

• Emphasize the importance of understanding these historical events and their impact on national attitudes toward slavery.
• Encourage students to reflect on the radical actions taken and their consequences.

Note: Classwork from today and Monday must be turned in. Watch the video on Harper's Ferry to enhance understanding.