Implementation of the Fugitive Slave Act, Kansas Nebraska Act, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Bleeding Kansas, and the Formation of the Republican Party

"Slave Powers"

A conspiracy theory among northerners that there were those in the government that wanted to force a system of slavery upon the whole nation

Underground Railroad

A network of safe houses that fugitive slaves used when escaping to the North

Abolitionist

A term used to describe a person that wanted to see the abolishment in the slavery. Not all northerners were abolitionists, but the movement did grow in the time period between the 1830s and the 1860s

Whig Party

Begins to collapse in the 1850s

Emigrant Aide Company

Eli Thayer of Massachusetts appropriated funds from the state legislature to create the 'Emigrant Aid Company'. It's said purpose was to 'aid' emigrants in settling the westIt's real purpose was to populate the Kansas territory with anti-slavery voters.

The Republican Party

Formed in 1854. Would take the place of the Whigs. They were against the Democratic party, slave power, and expansion of slavery. Not all republicans were abolitionists

The Election of 1854

In this election, northern Democrats lost a large number of seats in Congress.

Propaganda

Information of a biased nature used to promote a cause

Personal Liberty Laws

Laws that were passed in the northern states to counteract the Fugitive Slave Law

Missourians or 'Border Ruffians'

Men from Missouri that moved into the Kansas territory to populate the area with pro-slavery voters. They often used violence and intimidation to get what they wanted.

The Know Nothings

New political party in the 1850s that supported anti-immigration. By 1854 they had taken on the characteristics of a political party. They were anti-Catholic, Antiestablishment. They liked popular sovereignty, and wanted to return power to the people

"Beecher's Bibles"

Nickname for the Sharps rifles supplied by Reverend Henry Ward Beecher (brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe) to anti-slavery citizens of the Kansas territory.

The Fugitive Slave Act

Originally made a law in 1793, this strict version of the law was passed as part of the Compromise of 1850. The law determined that it was the responsibility of officials, as well as citizens of a state to assist in the arrest of any fugitive slaves in the area. Accused fugitive slaves had no right to trial by jury or to defend themselves. The most important point of the Fugitive Slave Act is the backlash that it caused in the North. Many states passed personal liberty laws that excluded citizens from enforcing the law.

Nativists

People who's families had resided in the United States for generations and that despised new European immigrants

"Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Popular novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the book attempted to portray the realities of slavery in USA. The book sold over 300,00 copies and had a huge effect on northern sentiments regarding the institution of slavery

Stephen Douglas

Proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854. Was interested in making Chicago, Illinois the main eastern railroad hub in the transcontinental railroad. In collaborating with southerners, he was able to get the Kansas-Nebraska bill to pass. This caused a split in northern Democrats

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad that would stretch from the east to the west coast. Early speculation began in the 1840's and the project was becoming a reality by the 1850's. Was a major motivation for turning the remnants of the Louisiana purchase into US territory and the passing of the Kansas Nebraska Act

Charles Sumner

Senator from Massachusetts that was caned by Preston Brooks

"The Sacking of Lawrence"

Series of events that unfolded that led to a raid on Lawrence Kansas by pro-slavery men in May of 1856. Damage to the town was actually minimal, but northern newspapers used the event as anti-slavery propaganda

Potawattomie Massacre

Series of five savage murders that took place on the night of May 24th. John Brown was almost certainly the perpetrator. They used broadswords and all of the men killed were linked to the pro-slavery government in Kansas

Immigration

Some 3 million immigrants entered the USA between 1845-1854. 1 million Irish Catholics. Almost 1 million German immigrants (Catholics). Very displeasing to "nativist" protestants

Bleeding Kansas

Term used to describe the conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery citizens of the Kansas territory in 1856 and 1857.

Topeka

The location of the anti-slavery government in the Kansas territory. Illegitimate government that was set up as resistance to the pro-slavery government of Lecompton

Preston Brooks

The man that caned Senator Sumner in the Senate chambers for insulting his cousin

Lecompton Government

The pro-slavery territorial government that was set up in Lecompton Kansas. Known for it's harsh laws including making it a hanging offense to aide fugitive slaves.

The American Party

What was the Know Nothing movement became the American Party. Opposed slavery expansion. Over 1 million members. Had success in the 1854 elections, but as they tried to attract Southern voters, they had to drop the slavery issue. Lost momentum as a result.