US History: The Union in Crisis

Study Notes

Division and Tensions:
- The North developed an industrial economy, while the South remained dependent on agriculture and slavery.
- This economic divergence fueled escalating tensions between the North and South, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

Wilmot Proviso:
- This 1846 proposal aimed to prohibit slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.
- It was ultimately defeated, but its failure heightened the debate over slavery's future.

Free-Soil Party:
- Formed in 1848, this party advocated for a policy of "Free soil, Free speech, Free labor, and Free men."
- They opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Compromise of 1850:
- Admitted California as a free state and allowed popular sovereignty (allowing residents to choose regarding slavery) in other territories.
- It also included the Fugitive Slave Act, which enforced the return of escaped slaves to their owners, sparking fierce resistance in the North.

Republican Party Formation:
- Established in 1854, the Republican Party quickly gained political power in the North.
- It was committed to preventing slavery from expanding into new territories.
Dred Scott Decision:
- The Supreme Court's 1857 ruling declared that African Americans were not citizens and Congress could not ban slavery in territories.
- This landmark decision deepened divisions about slavery and intensified tensions between the North and South.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates:
- In 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, both running for the U.S. Senate, clashed over the issue of slavery.
- Lincoln's position of opposing the expansion of slavery gained nationwide attention.
John Brown's Raid:
- In 1859, abolitionist John Brown's failed raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, attempted to ignite an uprising against slavery.
- While his effort was unsuccessful, it solidified his place as an anti-slavery martyr and fueled sectional tensions.

Democratic Party Division:
- Tensions over slavery led to a split within the Democratic Party in 1860.
- This division resulted in the nomination of two separate candidates, further fracturing the political landscape.
Lincoln's Election:
- The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, despite not having Southern support, sparked the first wave of Southern secession.
- South Carolina was the first state to secede.
Confederation Formation:
- Seven Southern states formed the Confederate States of America in 1861.
- Their constitution guaranteed slavery and reinforced state sovereignty.

Crittenden Compromise and Peace Convention:
- Last-minute compromises, like the Crittenden Compromise and a secret peace convention, were unsuccessful in preventing the collapse of the Union.