Changes

In 1857, the new Democratic President Buchanan deferred to popular sovereignty, and tried to get Kansas admitted as a slave state.  The “Dred Scott” decision was the Supreme Court’s attempt to resolve it:  the Court held that African-Americans have no rights in the United States.  This was an outrageous, shocking decision.  Northerners accused Buchanan of agreeing secretly with Supreme Court Justices to render a decision in favor of the South.

In 1857, the new Democratic President Buchanan deferred to popular sovereignty, and tried to get Kansas admitted as a slave state.  The “Dred Scott” decision was the Supreme Court’s attempt to resolve it:  the Court held that African-Americans have no rights in the United States.  This was an outrageous, shocking decision.  Northerners accused Buchanan of agreeing secretly with Supreme Court Justices to render a decision in favor of the South.

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  "a house divided against itself cannot stand," quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.  Douglas, a master debater, elicited a chuckle from the crowd when he said he would speak without claiming the expertise implied by Lincoln's quotation of biblical verse.

 

Two new states were added to the United States: Minnesota was admitted in 1858, and Oregon was admitted in 1859.

==The Election of 1860==

==The Election of 1860==