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Slavery and SecessionUnit 1- Slavery and the Nation Divided
I. Dred Scott Decision- Dred Scott was a slave that was taken to Illinois and Wisconsin (free states) by his masterScott sued for his freedomSupreme Court ruled 7-2 against Scott,
citing:Constitution’s protection of property Scott is not considered a citizen
Decision increased tension over slavery
II. Harper’s Ferry- A small town in
Virginia, John Brown planned a slave revolt there (1859), while politicians debated slaveryBrown and 21 men, black and white,
seized a federal arsenal60 locals were held hostage
Brown hoped their slaves would join the fight
Federal troops came, killed 8 of Brown’s men, and captured BrownBrown hung for treason
III. 1860 Presidential ElectionRepublicans
nominated Abraham Lincoln
Democrats splitLincoln win the
election with less then half of the popular vote and no Southern electoral votes
Southern states were not happy
1860 ELECTION RESULTS
IV. Southern SecessionLincoln’s election
convinced Southerners that they had to act
South Carolina seceded first in Dec. 1860
Southern states formed the Confederacy, or Confederate States in Feb. 1861
Jefferson Davis was elected their President