History test 12/7/23

Dred Scott vs. Sandford

(1857) Dred Scott sued for his freedom when he entered a non-slave state, this case reached the supreme court. The supreme court denied his request and established that slaves are not citizens, and that slaves are not protected by the constitution and do not have constitutional rights.

Compromise of 1850

Henry Clay made this plan that had something for everyone. It admitted California into the Union as a free state, which pleased the North. It divided the remainder of Southwest into two territories (Mexico and Utah) ad opened both to slavery, which pleased the South. Ended slave trade in Washington D.C. but allowed existing slaveholders to remain their slaves, appeasing both sides. Included the fugitive law (law that required escaped slaves to return back to their owners) this frustrated many Northerners.

Bleeding Kansas and John Brown

A series of violent civil confrontations in Kansas territory and Western Missouri between 1854-1859 over the legality of slavery in Kansas. John Brown and other pro-slavery settlers killed 5 men.

Kansas Nebraska Act

Compromise: Stephen Douglas of Illinois proposed splitting Nebraska territory into two territories - Kansas / Nebraska. Nebraska free, Kansas slave, but decision left up to residents (popular sovereignty) This bill is more appealing to Southerners. Repealed Missouri Compromise, allowed slavery into area formerly closed to slavery under the MC.

John Brown's Raid: Harpers Ferry

John Brown with 22 other men seized the federal arsenal (a place where guns and ammunition are stored) at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown wanted to distribute the weapons to slaves to inspire a slave revolt/rebellion but this attempt failed when federal troops captured him and his men. This promoted widespread fears of a slave rebellion. Brown charged for treason, then hung.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Published in 1851 this novel gave slavery a face and changed peoples moral perceptions of slavery. This novel described the cruelty of slavery through the narrative of a slave names uncle tom. Increasing the northerners hostility towards slavery and the South.

Impact of Cotton Gin

The cotton gin was a machine used for fast production of cotton instead of it being hand-made. As cotton production increased, so did the demand for slave labor. This revolutionized the institution of slavery.

Missouri Compromise

This compromise of 1820 banned slavery from much of the Louisiana Territory (drew alone across this territory). A deal sponsored by Henry Clay speaker of the house. South of that line, slavery would be permitted. North of the line slavery would be banned. Missouri slave state, Maine free state. Pleased no one but broke the deadlock in the senate.