"Old Buck" Versus "The Pathfinder"

The 1856 presidential election saw James Buchanan, nicknamed "Old Buck," running as the Democratic candidate against John C. Frémont, "The Pathfinder," for the newly formed Republican Party. The Know-Nothing Party, with its anti-foreign and anti-Catholic platform, nominated Millard Fillmore.

Vocabulary: "Know-Nothing Party" - A nativist political party that opposed immigration and Catholic influence in the 1850s.

The Electoral Fruits of 1856

James Buchanan won the election of 1856, with Frémont losing due to doubts about his character and abilities. Southerners had threatened secession if Frémont won, foreshadowing the crisis to come.

The Dred Scott Bombshell

The Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) had far-reaching consequences for the slavery debate. The Court ruled that Dred Scott, a black slave who had lived in free territory, was not a citizen and could not sue in federal court. Chief Justice Taney went further, declaring that slaves were private property protected by the Constitution and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.

Definition: The Dred Scott decision effectively ruled that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in the territories, dealing a blow to anti-slavery efforts.

The Financial Crash of 1857

A financial panic in 1857 hit the North harder than the South, exacerbating sectional tensions. Causes included inflated currency from California gold, overspeculation in land and railroads, and the effects of the Crimean War on grain markets. In response, Congress passed the Tariff of 1857, which lowered duties to 20% to appease Southern interests.

An Illinois Rail-Splitter Emerges

The 1858 Illinois senatorial election pitted Democrat Stephen Douglas against Republican Abraham Lincoln. Their series of debates, known as the Lincoln-Douglas debates, brought national attention to the slavery issue and Lincoln's political career.

Highlight: The Lincoln-Douglas debates, particularly the Freeport Doctrine, showcased the complex legal and moral arguments surrounding slavery in the territories.

The Great Debate: Lincoln Versus Douglas

The Lincoln-Douglas debates, particularly the one in Freeport, Illinois, highlighted the key issues surrounding slavery and popular sovereignty. Douglas's "Freeport Doctrine" attempted to reconcile popular sovereignty with the Dred Scott decision, ultimately costing him support in both North and South.

John Brown: Murderer or Martyr?

John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was a failed attempt to incite a slave rebellion. Brown and his followers killed innocent people and were eventually captured, tried, and executed. While some viewed Brown as a martyr for the abolitionist cause, others saw him as an insane criminal.

Quote: John Brown's last words before his execution: "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood."

The Disruption of the Democrats

The 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, exposed deep divisions within the party over slavery. Southern Democrats walked out, leading to a split convention and ultimately two separate Democratic candidates: Stephen Douglas for the Northern Democrats and John C. Breckinridge for the Southern Democrats.

A Rail-Splitter Splits the Union

The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860. His election victory in November, despite not even appearing on the ballot in most Southern states, led to the secession crisis.

Vocabulary: "Rail-splitter" - A nickname for Abraham Lincoln, referring to his humble origins and work splitting wood rails for fences.

The Electoral Upheaval of 1860

The 1860 election saw four major candidates: Lincoln (Republican), Douglas (Northern Democrat), Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). Lincoln's victory, achieved without winning a single Southern state, precipitated the secession crisis.

The Secessionist Exodus

Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina voted to secede from the Union in December 1860. Six more states – Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas – soon followed. In February 1861, these seven states met in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America, setting the stage for the impending Civil War.

Highlight: The secession of Southern states marked the culmination of decades of sectional tensions and the failure of compromise efforts to preserve the Union.