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The presidential election of 1848 showcased the divides over the expansion of the United States. The election created a rise in the newly formed political party, the "Free-Soilers" party, who disagreed with the expansion of slavery, however wanted to maintain the institution where it existed. The election and the new political parties illuminated the nation's growing divide based on the abolition of slavery, as well as how to handle newly gained territories of the United States.
(Varon 193) -
The Compromise of 1850 was created in attempt to solve tensions between the North and South U.S. when regarding its new territories. Firstly, the Compromise admitted California as a free state. In order to compensate for this, the Fugitive Slave Laws have been stricter ensuring runaway slaves were returned instead of now free. Even though it was in attempt to reconcile the divide, the Compromise created further tensions as both sides were not satisfied and feared the expansion of the other. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe was a harsh criticism against the institution of slavery. By depicting a Northern character moving to the South and becoming the villainous slave owner, Stowe called for the change of the horrific details of slavery. By supporting and spreading abolitionism, Uncle Tom's Cabin emphasized the growing division between the North's acceptance and the South's -
Anthony Burns was a fugitive slave from Virginia who had escaped to Boston for a chance of freedom. However, due to the Fugitive Slave Act, he was placed under guard to be returned to his owner; this brought together Abolitionists of Boston to protest his capture and attempted to buy his freedom. This case showed the power that civilians and used to fight for the cause of ending slavery. It also shows the violence of the decade and how foreshadowed the bloody war to come.
(Battle 119) -
The rise of the "Know Nothing" party occurred in the mid 1850 elections. They were a nativist group that specifically supported restrictions on voting and citizenships from immigrants. The Know-Nothings were not an abolitionist group however they didn't support the expansion of the institution based to their view of both Catholicism and slavery as ignorant and tyrannical. Though the party had an uproar in the 1854 election, it wasn't long lasting.
(Battle 130,136) -
In response to the Kanas-Nebraska Bill, a senator of Massachusetts created a "mammoth memorial" as a petition. The memorial, signed by 3,000 Northern Clergymen, called out the moral injustices that the new bill would undo the Missouri Compromise. The petition called for fellow abolitionists to voice their opinions, and led to threat of the retributions for the bill in future elections. This memorial highlights the different actions taken to fight for the cause of the divided nation.
(Varon, 256) -
Dred Scott was a slave who had been moved to free states for long periods of time, because of this he sued for his freedom, claiming should be a free man. Scott's case rose all the way to the Supreme Court as it crossed between state lines and laws. The case ruled against Scott, this established that slaves in the eyes of the government did not have basis for a case. This decision created angered abolitionists and further divided the nation about the rights of slaves and the institution itself. -
John Brown was an extreme abolitionist, who led an unsuccessful but impactful slave revolt. Brown believed he was told directly from God that slavery is evil, so he targeted a government arsenal with 24 other people, eventually locals and the marines got involved to end the uprising. Although Brown got captured and executed, it served as a sign of Brown as a martyr in the north, however southerners were alarmed at the new possibilities of successful and detrimental slave uprisings. -
The election of 1860 was a 4 way race that was ultimately questioning the future of slavery. This also created the rise of the Republican Party, representing the majority of the House of Representatives. With 39% of the popular vote and 180 electoral votes, Republican Lincoln wins with no southern states. Because of his victory, the south, influenced by the violence of the 1850's, saw the only option to be recession or a civil war. This election helped to further the divide of the nation. -
The invention of the instant messages, called telegraphs has reinvented communication right before the U.S.'s civil war. By allowing news to travel instantly over the wires rather than over the course of days, it increased the efficiency and relativity of the newspapers as well as lowered the cost. The telegraph is important to note because it allowed for more accurate descriptions of the war as it happened, as well as revolutionized how information was sent and received.
(McPherson, 12)