The FAILURE of Compromise Pre-Civil War [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 6] Period 5: 1844-1877

Understanding the Failure of Compromises Over Slavery

Introduction to the Topic

• The video discusses the failure of political compromises regarding slavery in America, following the Compromise of 1850.

• It emphasizes that every attempt at compromise ultimately failed and highlights the importance of understanding these attempts and their failures.

Westward Expansion and Its Impact

• The ongoing acquisition of new lands in the west reignited debates over whether slavery could exist in those territories.

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 is introduced as a significant compromise attempt, proposing popular sovereignty for new territories.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

• Senator Stephen Douglas's proposal allowed residents to decide on slavery, effectively overturning the Compromise of 1820.

• This led to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas," as pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions fought for control over the territory.

Election Irregularities in Kansas

• In 1855, voter fraud occurred during territorial legislature elections, with more votes cast than eligible voters due to pro-slavery Missourians crossing into Kansas.

• Two rival legislatures emerged: one pro-slavery in Lecompton and one anti-slavery in Topeka, further deepening divisions.

Dred Scott Decision (1857)

• The Dred Scott case involved an enslaved man who sued for his freedom after living in free states; however, he lost due to a ruling by Chief Justice Roger Taney.

• The Court ruled that Scott was not a citizen and thus had no right to sue; it also stated that Congress could not deprive citizens of property (including enslaved people).

Consequences of the Dred Scott Decision

• This decision opened all territories to slavery, escalating tensions between North and South and moving towards civil war.

The Rise of the Republican Party

Emergence of Political Factions

• The Whig Party was fragmenting, with factions like the Cotton Whigs and Conscience Whigs emerging, reflecting differing views on slavery.

• As the Whig Party declined, the Democratic Party strengthened as a regional proslavery entity. This shift set the stage for new political dynamics.

• In 1854, the Republican Party was formed, uniting a diverse coalition including former Know Nothing members, abolitionists, free soilers, and Conscience Whigs.

Republican Ideology and Southern Response

• The Republicans did not seek to abolish slavery but opposed its expansion into new territories; this stance was perceived as a significant threat by Southern Democrats.

• The success of Republicans in the 1858 midterm elections alarmed Southerners who feared that a Republican presidency in 1860 would threaten their way of life.

Implications for Future Elections