Heimler's History Lecture Notes: Unit 5 AP U.S. History

Topic: Failure of Compromises on Slavery

1. Introduction

• Compromise of 1850 temporarily eased tensions over slavery.
• Continued attempts at compromise ultimately failed.
• Focus: Why compromises regarding slavery failed.

2. Westward Expansion and Slavery

• America's expansion into new western territories reignited debates over slavery.

3. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

• Proposed by: Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois.
• Provisions:
  • Divide northern Louisiana Purchase into Kansas and Nebraska territories.
  • Allow territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.
  • Overturned the Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery above the 36 30 line.
• Consequences:
  • Angered Northerners.
  • Led to "Bleeding Kansas" due to violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

4. Bleeding Kansas

• Pro-slavery Missourians cast illegal votes in Kansas.
• Resulted in two rival state legislatures:
  • Pro-slavery in Lecompton.
  • Anti-slavery in Topeka.
• President Franklin Pierce recognized pro-slavery government, worsening divisions.

5. Dred Scott Decision of 1857

• Case: Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued for freedom after living in free territories.
• Supreme Court's Decision:
  • Slaves were not citizens; couldn't sue in federal court.
  • Constitution protects citizens' property rights, including slaves.
  • Allowed slavery to spread to any U.S. territory.

6. Political Party Impact

• Increasing division over slavery weakened two-party system.
• Whig Party:
  • Split into Cotton Whigs (proslavery) and Conscience Whigs (antislavery).
• Democratic Party:
  • Regional and proslavery.
• Republican Party (established 1854):
  • Included diverse groups: Know Nothings, abolitionists, free soilers, Conscience Whigs.
  • Opposed spread of slavery into new territories.

7. Election of 1860

• Republican successes in 1858 midterms concerned Southerners.
• Fear that a Republican presidential win would threaten Southern interests.

8. Conclusion

• Tensions over slavery and failed compromises set the stage for the Civil War.
• Further videos and resources available for continued study.