Compromise of 1850 - key points

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Abolitionist image
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Abolitionism, 1820-1850, pt.1

• 1820s diffusion theory popular, ACS begins to
  move freed slaves back to Africa
• 2nd GA brings moral social dynamic to
  anti-slavery in late 1820s and 1830s
• antislavery is energized w/The Liberator in 1831
• Abolitionist ideology
• need clear immediate freedom for slaves
• laws alowing slavery are morally wrong
• slavery does not fit w/Constitution or bible
• Northerners obligated to end slavery everywhere
  it exists

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Anti-abolitionist posting
Abolitionist school reader
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Abolitionism 1820-1850, pt.2

• 1833- English abolition of slavery spurs momentum
• Abolitionism has effective leadership by 1840s
  Douglass, Child, Garrison, Truth
• political organization literature campaign leads
  to Gag rule in Congress, 1836
• Liberty party, then Free Soilers emerge as a
  political force in 1840s
• abolitionist success leads to reaction in the
  South the pro-slavery argument

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Pro-Slavery argument, 1830-1865

• Abolitionist argument leads to argument that
  slavery is positive for all involved
• Slaves treated as family by slaveowners
• no free-market competition that leads to
  exploitation, as in North
• blacks are biologically suited for slavery
• slavery important to western culture democracy
  (re Greeks, Romans, etc.)
• slavery is biblically-mandated
• slave societies harmonious, peaceful

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Compromise of 1850 - key points

• political deal struck bet. North South to
  settle question of new western territories
• S. Douglas, Clay, Calhoun Webster lead
  Congressional efforts
• vagueness in decision on Utah New Mexico --
  all rightful subjects...consistent with the
  Constitution.
• Fugitive Slave Law causes a great deal of
  tension, conflict as it is enforced
• Does this settle the issue or intensify it?

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Reaction to Fugitive Slave Law Boston, 1851
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Brooks canes Sumner, 1856
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1850s tension - p.1

• Uncle Toms Cabin - 1852 adds tremendous
  support to anti-slavery effortshttp//www.iath.vi
  rginia.edu/utc/index2f.html
• Kansas-Nebraska, 1854 - Stephen Douglas
  compromise- ends Missouri Compromise
• 1854 Republicans Free Soil, Free Labor, Free
  Men Northern party
• KS-NB Act allows pop. sovereignty
• political realignment after KS-NB Republican
  Party formed, Democrats split by section

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1850s tension, p.2

• 1856- Sumner-Brooks episode further escalates
  sectional tension
• 1855-1856 bleeding Kansas - violence over
  slavery issue - http//www.assumption.edu/ahc/Kans
  as/default.html
• admission of KS as a state John Brown emerges
  as abolitionist, pre-cursor to war
• 1857 - Dred Scott blacks no citizenship
• Decision intensifies North anger v. slave power

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1850s Sectionalism Editorials