In the 1850s, slavery was the perhaps maybe the number one topic of discussion in politics that did not actually get voiced. However, when it came to president candidates, they steered clear of declaring an official stance on slavery. For example, in the “presidential election of 1852, the Whigs and the Democrats tried once again to appeal to voters across the North-South divide by running candidates who either skirted the slavery issue or voice ambiguous views…”. Everyone knew that if they voiced their opinion on slavery as antislavery or proslavery, they would win the North or the South, not both. By making it seem like they did not have an opinion, it was more likely that they would get the votes they needed in order to win. However, the
Slave Power was the term that was present in the Missouri debates of 1820s and became popular in the 1830s. Salmon P. Chase used the term to portray southern slaveholders organized politically as a clique to dominate the national government and state governments in the south, reverse the policy of founding fathers, and make slavery the ruling interest of the nation. [1] As the Slave Power grew more powerful, the Republicans severely criticized these slave owners in the south “unceasingly aggressive, insatiably greedy for still more representatives and senators, and increasingly hostile to public policies.” [2] The slaveholders dominated the federal and southern state governments and used the political leverage to foster the institution’s growth
citizens over the issue of slavery spreading to new territories. One example of this would be the U.S. Presidential election of 1860 (Doc 11). This election was extremely sectional, and really underscored just how divided the country was over the issue of slavery spreading into the territories. Abraham lincoln, the candidate that won the election was the only candidate that opposed the spread of slavery, and was strongly supported in the north. The south however did not support Lincoln, in fact, Lincoln wasn't even on the voting ballots in many of the southern states.
During the 19th century most political controversies focused on the issue of slavery, many believed this issue was wicked and cruel and strongly disagreed with the idea of slavery, being active and acceptable. Owning the fact that many disagreed with slavery, the Republican Party announced a speech- all territories of the United States were said to be free and they were entitled to deny anyone who gives any legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States (Document A). Many important figures in the Republican Party did not agree with nor supported anyone or anything that advocated for slavery. Slavery meant men, women, and even innocent children had to be treated unfairly and taken advantage of. All of this controversy
Election of 1860
My sticky note, The Election of 1860, was a very important part and greatly influenced the start of the Civil War. The reason behind this statement is that many people in the south opposed Lincoln as becoming president. Southerners feared that slaves would revolt and did not have trust in Lincoln. Northerners liked what Lincoln had to offer and wanted him to become president.
Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The foundation of America is freedom. Freedom from Britain. However, the freedom is limited to white males who own property. When colonists started to immigrate to America, they wanted to escape from under the rule of Britain.
