Rising Tensions. . .1850-1860

Abolitionism Spreads in North Frederick Douglass: runaway slave becomes

abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison: editor of abolitionist

newspaper, The Liberator Underground Railroad: elaborate network of white

abolitionists, free blacks and slaves (NOT just Harriet Tubman!)

Total number of fugitives assisted by the URR b/w 1830-1860 is anywhere between 70,000 and 100,000.

Compromise of 1850 California wants to be a free state But the South assumed it wouldn’t be

So. . . California will be free, BUT Utah and New Mexico will vote on slavery Fugitive Slave Law: meant to appease South;

many Northerners feel it turns them into slave-catchers. . .

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1850 Proposed by Stephen Douglas People in Nebraska Territory will vote on whether

to have slavery or not (popular sovereignty)

Sounds like a good idea, BUT Anti-slavery (Freesoilers: poor farmers who

couldn’t compete with slave-owners) and pro-slavery forces stream in. . .

Mini- civil war: “Bleeding Kansas”

John Brown Abolitionist Involved in the Underground Railroad Moves to Kansas to support the anti-

slavery cause Responds to violence by proslavery men by

organizing the murder of 5 proslavery settlers: Pottowatomie Creek Massacre

John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry Planned a raid on a Federal arsenal Wanted to distribute weapons to slaves Didn’t happen: Brown and his men were mostly

captured or killed within 36 hours Brown was ultimately hanged

http://www.history.com/topics/john-brown/videos/john-browns-raid

Today’s QuestionAbraham Lincoln called

Brown a “misguided fanatic.”

Do YOU think John Brown was a

“misguided fanatic?”

Misguided: confusedFanatic: extremist

Discussion

What was John Brown trying to do when he raided Harpers Ferry?

Why would he want to do this? Were reactions to his actions the same throughout the

country? Who might be upset by his actions and reasons for

taking action? Who might be upset by his actions, but not his

reason?