7. "A Hell of a Storm": The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Birth of the Republican Party, 1854-55
Short Summary:
This lecture discusses the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), pivotal events leading to the Civil War. The Compromise attempted to resolve sectional tensions over slavery's expansion, particularly with California's statehood and the Fugitive Slave Act. However, it proved to be a temporary armistice. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, spearheaded by Stephen Douglas, repealed the Missouri Compromise and implemented popular sovereignty to determine slavery in those territories, igniting further conflict and ultimately leading to the formation of the Republican Party. The lecture details the political maneuvering, key figures (Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Douglas), and the social impact, including the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin, and the violent resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act. The lecture uses specific examples like the Anthony Burns case to illustrate the escalating tensions.
Detailed Summary:
The lecture is divided into several sections:
1. The Compromise of 1850: The lecture begins by setting the stage with the discovery of gold in California and the resulting need for a compromise to address the issue of slavery's expansion into the newly acquired territories. Calhoun's "Southern Address" is highlighted, warning of potential Southern secession if their interests weren't met. The Compromise itself is explained as a package of five measures: California's admission as a free state, abolition of the slave trade in D.C., the adjustment of the Texas boundary, a stronger Fugitive Slave Act, and popular sovereignty to determine slavery in the remaining Mexican territories. The lecture emphasizes the political maneuvering involved, particularly Daniel Webster's support for the compromise at the cost of his career, and Stephen Douglas's role in passing the bill through separate votes. A key quote from Douglas is mentioned: "By God, sir, you are right. I will incorporate it in my bill though I know it will raise a hell of a storm."
2. The Aftermath of the Compromise of 1850: This section details the immediate and long-term consequences of the Compromise. It was more of an armistice than a lasting solution, as evidenced by Georgia's conditional acceptance and continued Northern protests, particularly against the Fugitive Slave Act. The lecture describes the increased resistance to slavery, including numerous violent fugitive slave rescues (Jerry McHenry, Shadrach Minkins, Christiana, Pennsylvania), highlighting the shift from clandestine operations to open defiance. The publication and immense impact of Uncle Tom's Cabin is discussed, emphasizing its role in raising awareness about slavery.
3. The Kansas-Nebraska Act: This section focuses on the events leading up to and the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The lecture explains the context of westward expansion and the competition for the location of the transcontinental railroad's eastern terminus. Stephen Douglas's role as the driving force behind the Act is highlighted, along with his belief that climate would naturally regulate the expansion of slavery. The lecture meticulously traces the three versions of the bill, showing how Douglas gradually yielded to Southern pressure, culminating in the explicit repeal of the Missouri Compromise. The lecture emphasizes the significance of the popular sovereignty principle and its implications for the future of slavery in the West.
4. The Vote and its Consequences: The lecture concludes by analyzing the vote on the Kansas-Nebraska Act, highlighting the deep sectional divisions within Congress. The vote numbers are presented to demonstrate the polarization of the issue, with Northern Democrats splitting, Whigs largely opposing it, and Southern Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it. The lecture emphasizes the Act's role in shattering the Whig Party and giving birth to the Republican Party, a significant turning point in American politics. The lecture ends by stating that the Kansas-Nebraska Act, while seemingly a pragmatic solution, ultimately had terrible consequences, leading to increased sectionalism and ultimately the Civil War.