Social Studies Chapter 16
Martyr
Person who dies for his or her beliefs.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Plan introduced by Stephen Douglas that split Nebraska territory into 2. These territories were called Kansas and Nebraska. Settlers in the territories would then be able to decide the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty.
Republican Party
Political party formed in 1854 with the purpose of keeping slavery out of the western territories.
Stephen Douglas
Proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
"Bleeding Kansas"
Proslavery men raided the town of Lawrence in 1856. Attackers destroyed homes and smashed the press of Free-Soiler newspapers. John Brown decided to strike back by dragging proslavery men out of their beds in the middle of the night and killing them. The killings led to increased violence and both sides engaged in guerilla warfare. Newspapers then began calling the territory "Bleeding Kansas."
Fugitive
Runaway.
Why did Stephen Douglas propose the Kansas-Nebraska Act? How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act lead to violence? How did Kansas gain the nickname, "Bleeding Kansas?"
Stephen Douglas proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act because he knew that white southerners did not want to add another free state to the Union. He proposed to split the territory into two and let the settlers decide on slavery using popular sovereignty. It led to violence because, Border Ruffians wanted to make sure that antislavery forces did not overrun the territory. Two governments also existed in Kansas, one proslavery and another antislavery. It gained the nickname "Bleeding Kansas" through these men fighting and killing each other.
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 had 5 main parts. 1. Includes the Fugitive Slave Act. 2. Bans slave trade in Washington, D.C. 3. Settles Texas/New Mexico border dispute. 4. Admits California as a free state. 5. Upholds popular sovereignty in New Mexico and Utah.
Election of 1860- North and South
The Democratic party split into two parts. The northern Democrats picked Stephen Douglas and the southern Democrats picked John Breckinridge. The Constitutional Union party was born during this time and they chose John Bell. Eventually, Lincoln won the election. Southerners then began to secede thinking that Lincoln's election meant that they would have no voice in the government.
Dred Scott Decision and Impact
The Dred Scott decision-The Supreme Court ruled Scott couldn't file a lawsuit because, as an enslaved person, Scott wasn't a citizen. Also state that slaves were property. Court also rule that Congress didn't have the power to outlaw slavery in any territory. Also meant the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. White southerners rejoiced, African Americans were mad, and White northerners were shocked.
What groups combined to form the Republican Party, why did the Republican Party begin? How did Lincoln emerge as the Republican leader?
The groups that came together to form the Republican Party were Free-Soilers, northern Democrats, and antislavery Whigs. The main reason the party was formed was because the members wanted to stop the spread of slavery (specifically the western territories.) He did not want slavery and thought it was morally wrong. He spoke out to the public and they listened. When he spoke people liked what they heard and went behind him. This is how he emerged as a leader.
Fort Sumter
Where the Civil War began in 1861. Union commander refuse to surrender until he ran out of ammo or was ordered too. Confederate guns then opened fire and the commander surrendered two days later. When Sumter was being shelled, some thought it was a fireworks display.
Missouri Compromise
agreement, proposed in 1819 by Henry Clay to keep the number of slave and free states equal. An imaginary line that banned slavery north of it. Only exception was Missouri itself.
Border Ruffians
A group of proslavery Missourians who used to cross the border into Kansas to vote illegally, make raids, and intimidate the antislavery settlers. Helped elect proslavery legislative.
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Book published by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was written to show the evils of slavery and the injustice of the Fugitive Slave Act. Popular in north and objected in the south.
Free Soil Party
Formed by northern Democrats and Whigs who opposed the spread of slavery. Main goal of the party was to keep slavery out of the western territories.
John Brown's raid
In 1859, John Brown led a group of followers to Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Here Brown planned to raid the federal arsenal and lead the slaves in a revolt. Brown gained control, but troops under the command of Robert E. Lee capture John and kill 10 raiders. He was then sentenced to death.
Wilmot Proviso
Law proposed by David Wilmot. Called to ban slavery in any territories won from Mexico.
Lincoln said the nation could not "endure permanently half free and half slave." Explain what he meant by this statement and give three facts to support this statement.
Lincoln meant the nation couldn't survive if it was half slavery and half free. Constant evidence backing up this claim was violence in the Senate, Kansas, and John Brown's raid. When Lincoln said this he probably feared war if no one stopped this issue.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky and eventually lived in Illinois and Indiana. Served eight years in state legislature and one term in Congress. Opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and decided to run for Senate in 1858. During campaign, debated against Stephen Douglas mainly about slavery. Lincoln also opposed slavery in the territories. Douglas won the election, but Lincoln won the Presidential Election in 1860.
Popular Sovereignty
Each territory could decide for itself whether or not to allow slavery.
Civil War Begins
First Jefferson Davis ordered Confederate forces to begin seizing federal forts in the South. After month or so, Confederacy force Lincoln to make a decision. By then Confederate forces controlled almost all of the federal buildings in the South. Then the Confederate troops bombed Fort Sumter.
