The American Yop: Chapter 13 - The Sectional Crisis

Section 1: Introduction

• Slavery's Expansion: Issues arose immediately with slavery's expansion westward.
  • Northern workers felt suppressed by slavery, fearing economic independence was at risk.
  • Southerners feared abolitionism would dominate, leading to insurrection.
• Federal Government's Role: Disagreements on the federal role in capturing and returning escaped slaves.
• Economic Importance: Enslaved labor fueled both Southern plantations and Northern industries.
• Political Fears: By 1860, fears of opposing sections controlling the government led to conflict and war.

Section 2: Sectionalism in the Early Republic

• Slavery's History: Deep-rooted in antiquity and the colonies.
• Revolutionary Ideas: New ideals challenged the natural law justifications for slavery.
  • Haitian Revolution: Marked a clear divide between zones of freedom and unfreedom.
• Constitutional Compromises: Early compromises like the Northwest Ordinance and Vermont/Kentucky admissions.
  • The Missouri Compromise was a significant turning point, marking a formal divide at 36°30' north.

Section 3: The Crisis Joined

• Early 1800s Shifts:
  • Denmark Vesey's rebellion and Second Great Awakening increased tensions.
  • Jacksonian democracy expanded white male voting rights.
• Political Parties:
  • The Democratic Party tried unifying Americans around white supremacy.
  • The Whig Party emerged but struggled due to its diverse coalition.
  • The Liberty Party formed as a true anti-slavery faction.
• Territorial Expansion:
  • Texas and Florida admissions exacerbated sectional divisions.
  • Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 increased federal power and tension.

Section 4: Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men

• Post-Mexican War: Anti-slavery leaders alarmed over territories gained potentially expanding slavery.
  • Free Soil Party formed to oppose slavery's expansion.
• Compromise of 1850:
  • California admitted as a free state, but tough new Fugitive Slave Law troubled Northerners.
  • Antislavery activism, including Harriet Tubman's efforts, gained momentum.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin published, proving influential.

Section 5: From Sectional Crisis to National Crisis

• Kansas-Nebraska Act: Overturn of Missouri Compromise angers North.
  • Violence in Kansas (Bleeding Kansas) and radicalization in the North.
  • The Republican Party forms, with Lincoln as a key figure.
• Dred Scott Decision: Declared black Americans couldn't be U.S. citizens, furthering tensions.
• Approaching Civil War:
  • John Brown's Harpers Ferry raid highlighted rising tensions.
  • Lincoln's election in 1860, Southern states' secession, and the start of the Civil War with Fort Sumter.

Section 6: Conclusion

• Slavery's Division: Persistent division over slavery led to a sectional and irreconcilable crisis.
• Anti-Slavery Coalition: The emergence of the Republican Party aimed to restrict slavery's expansion.
• Civil War: Secession and war became inevitable as the South sought to protect slavery.
• Emancipation: War raised the potential for slavery's end, a possibility the Republicans hoped to avoid.