Slavery Debate in the United States and the 1860 Presidential Election

Slavery Debate in the United States and the 1860 Presidential Election

The slavery debate in the United States was a significant aspect of American politics leading up to the 1860 presidential election. This period saw various developments and events that significantly influenced the outcome of the election. These included the abolitionist movement, the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the Republican Party, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Abolitionist Movement

The abolitionist movement was a social and political movement advocating the end of slavery and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It gained momentum during the second Great Awakening in the early 19th century, which emphasized the equality of all people in the eyes of God. Key figures in the movement, such as William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass, used various strategies to promote their cause, including public speaking, petition drives, and writing antislavery literature.

Dred Scott Decision

In 1857, the Supreme Court handed down its infamous majority opinion in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford, which ruled that slaves were property and could not sue in federal court. The decision further exacerbated tensions between proponents and opponents of slavery, as it appeared to strike down the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had previously restricted slavery north of the 36°30' parallel. In response, some Northern states passed personal liberty laws that prohibited state officials from assisting in the return of fugitive slaves into slaveholding jurisdictions.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Sentiments against slavery escalated with the Lincoln-Douglas debates, a series of seven public debates held between Senator Stephen Douglas and his opponent Abraham Lincoln, who was running for reelection to the U.S. Senate in Illinois in 1858. During these debates, Lincoln first publicly articulated his opposition to slavery by stating, "I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; [and] that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office," showing how views on slavery varied widely among politicians at the time. Despite losing the senatorial race, Lincoln gained national recognition for his stance against slavery.

Republican Party

The Republican Party, which emerged in 1854, was founded on the principles of stopping the expansion of slavery into new territories and states. The party's platform, known as the "Irrepressible Conflict" speech, stated that the slavery issue could not be contained and would eventually lead to a civil war. The party's nominee, Abraham Lincoln, won the 1860 presidential election, and shortly after his inauguration, the Civil War began.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was another significant piece of legislation that contributed to the tensions leading to the 1860 election. This act allowed the residents of Kansas Territory to vote on whether to admit the territory as a free state or a slave state. The act was controversial because it repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing the possibility of slavery in territories that had previously been closed to it. As a result, the Kansas-Nebraska Act fueled tensions between free states and slave states, further polarizing the nation.

In conclusion, the slavery debate in the United States leading up to the 1860 presidential election was a complex web of events and developments. The abolitionist movement, Dred Scott decision, Lincoln-Douglas debates, Republican Party, and Kansas-Nebraska Act all played crucial roles in shaping the political climate and eventually leading to the outbreak of the American Civil War.