Abolition and the “Peculiar Institution”

The debate over Slavery in the south continued to rage after the Compromise of 1850. There were three big names in Congress who were prominent in the creation of the Mid-Century Compromises.

Daniel Webster John C. Calhoun Henry Clay Boston South Carolina West skilled orator War Hawk from 1812 great compromiser protect regional interests vice president under Missouri Compromise Adams and Jackson 1820 no extension of slavery in slavery is necessary and Compromise of 1850 the territories good

Although these three men argued against one another trying to save the union from disruption, there were still many issues at hand.

Personal Liberty Laws  forbade imprisonment of runaway slaves in the North

Underground Railroad  network used by abolitionists to take slaves to freedom. - Harriet Tubman was a “conductor”  helped over 300 slaves to freedom

Uncle Tom’s Cabin – showed great moral issue of slavery  heightened feelings of abolition in the North and hatred towards the south

Kansas-Nebraska Act – Opened western territories to slavery  product of Stephen A. Douglass (D) Illinois. - Made Missouri Compromise void - Popular sovereignty in the Western Territories

Bleeding Kansas - “Border Ruffians”, proslavery drifters, crossed the border from Missouri, harassed antislavery settlers in Kansas, and voted illegally for a proslavery government. As a result, Kansas elected a proslavery legislature that passed “black laws.” John Brown led abolitionists to Kansas to avenge the crimes. - over 200 people were killed in violent fighting

Caning of Sumner - Charles Sumner (Massachusetts) verbally attacked Senator Andrew P. Butler (South Carolina) for two days on the senate floor. - Butler’s nephew, Preston Brooks, walked into the senate chamber, up to Sumner and said, “It is a libel on South Carolina and Mr. Butler who is a relative of mine.” - Brooks began to beat Sumner on the head with a cane. - Southerners showered Brooks with new canes. “HIT HIM AGAIN!”

These issues, compromises, people, books, and events widened the gap that led to the further separation of North and South, as well as to the creation of new political parties.