1. society
2. unrest and war

SBQ: Key Events in the Debate over Slavery, 1846-1861
Tallmadge Amendment – In 1819, Representative James Tallmadge of New York proposed an amendment that
Missouri, when added as a state, must be made free of slavery. Won approval in the House of Rep. but was
defeated in the balanced Senate. Ignited fears in the South of Northern aggression against South. Talks of Civil
War begin.
Missouri Compromise – In 1820, part of Missouri territory applied for statehood as a slave state. This would
have created an imbalance in favor of slave states. Henry Clay of Kentucky proposed adding Maine as a free state
and creating a line at 36° 30' to dictate future spread of slavery. Satisfied both sides for the time being.
Wilmot Proviso – Proposed in 1846 prior to the Mexican-American War by Congressman David Wilmot, it
would have banned slavery in any lands won from war with Mexico. It was passed in the House of
Representatives twice, but never through the Senate.
John C. Calhoun Issues the “Platform of the South” – In 1847, the South Carolinian declared that slaves were
property and Americans should be allowed to have them wherever they want. Also, if the South’s rights were
threatened, those states had the right to secede.
Mexican Cession – Land included in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; by adding such a large amount of
territory to the United States in 1848, the slavery issue emerged as a central question. Would these states be
added as free or slave states? If popular sovereignty was allowed, which side would win? How would this affect
the balance in Congress?
Nashville Convention – Convention in 1850 of the slave states in Nashville, TN to discuss what they would do if
the Senate were to ban slavery in the lands won by the Mexican Cession.
Compromise of 1850 – The outcome of a series of debates during 1850 over different ways in which to handle
the new territories won from the Mexican Cession and Westward expansion. Although sides couldn’t agree on
the bill as a whole, Senator Stephen Douglass (IL) was able to pass all parts of the bill through individual bills.
Only provided a short-term solution. See outline for details of bill.
Publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Published in 1852 and written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, this book brought
the slavery issue to the forefront for many northern whites who previously ignored it. Became a bestselling book.
Kansas-Nebraska Act – Also orchestrated by Stephen Douglas, this 1854 act granted statehood to the Nebraska
Territory and broke it up into two states, Kansas and Nebraska, with the provision that slavery would be
determined through “popular sovereignty” (meaning the states would vote on it themselves).
Formation of the Republican Party – Formed in 1854 as a party for former Whigs and Northern Democrats; a
common goal was to prevent the spread of slavery; feared by Southerners as an anti-slavery party which wanted
to ban slavery in all states
“Bleeding Kansas” – By 1856, both pro-slavery and abolitionist groups flooded the state and a mini-civil war
was fought within Kansas. Among the abolitionists was John Brown.
“The Slave Power” – Term used to refer to the political power of the wealthy landowners of the South
throughout the 1850s. They represented a tiny fraction of the South’s population, but exerted great influence
through their wealth.
Dred Scott Decision – The 1857 Supreme Court ruling which held that slaves were property and thus had no
legal rights in a court of law.
John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry – In this 1859 attempt to inspire slaves to rise up and rebel against their
masters, white-abolitionist John Brown led a small band to attempt to take over the U.S. Arsenal at Harper’s
Ferry, VA. It was unsuccessful and Brown was executed. Many abolitionists in the North considered Brown to
be a hero or martyr, while many in the South considered him a terrorist.
The Presidential Election of 1860 – The Election of 1860 was between Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, and
three other candidates. In winning, Lincoln replaced James Buchannan as President. This sparked South Carolina
to secede from the Union.
South Carolina Secedes from the Union – On December 20, 1860, South Carolina officially secedes from the
Union. In its written declaration, every point South Carolina makes to the rationale behind its decision relates to
the issue of slavery. The key argument was that since the Constitution was a legal contract, and if the North
wasn’t upholding its responsibilities (i.e. enacting Fugitive Slave Law and respecting the practice of slavery), then
Southern states could withdraw from the contract (and, thus, the Union).
Key Political Figures in the Debate over Slavery
Henry Clay – U.S. Congressman (Whig) from Kentucky; famous for his role in notable compromises in 1820
(Missouri) and 1850 (California), which was passed due to Stephen Douglass; died in 1852.
Thomas Cobb – Southern lawyer and politician from Georgia who argued that slavery was justified and legal.
The only significant legal defense of slavery, Cobb used history, law, and racial inferiority as support.
John C. Calhoun – Senator from South Carolina. Died in 1850. Notable for issuing the “Platform of the
South” (see above) and being a vocal supporter of slavery and opponent of abolitionists.
Stephen Douglas – Senator and Presidential candidate from Illinois (which at the time was neither North nor
South), Douglas tried to appease both abolitionists and slave-owners. Was crucial in the Compromise of 1850
and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Views on slavery are unclear. Publically, he states that it should not be
changed. Probably watching out for his own political goals and wanted western expansion to continue in order to
establish a Transcontinental Railroad, which would benefit Illinois.
James Buchannan - President from 1856-1860. South Carolina secedes after Lincoln is elected, but before he
takes office. Buchannan’s opinion was that South Carolina was wrong, but that going to war would be wrong
too. Seen as being too cautious and not willing to anger either the North or the South.
William Seward – From New York, the one-time political rival of Lincoln in the Election of 1860, Seward
accepts Lincoln’s offer to be his Secretary of State. He believed that slavery was morally wrong, but that it
should be allowed to run its course.
Abraham Lincoln – President from 1860-1865. From Illinois. Believed that slavery was wrong but it should
run its course and end naturally over time. Did not want to fight a war, but once it began, he saw it through to
the end.