Lecompton constitution

Background

• Fall of 1857
• Pro-Slavery government in Lecompton, Kansas
• Application for the Union with a constitution 

Freesoilers

• Freesoilers outnumbered slavers 10:1
• Rejected the constitution protecting slaveholder's rights
• Legislature held a referendum; people voted for slavery

Aspects of Lecompton constitution

• Topeka Constitution
• Reaffirmed traditional voting requirements
• Bill of rights excluded free blacks, and slavery = legal

Buchanan

• Buchanan endorsed the constitution
• Southern support helped him win presidency
• Thought that freesoilers overreacted; only 200 slaves in Kansas

Steven douglas

• Democratic senator from Illinois
• Constitution against popular sovereignty
• Attacked Buchanan for endorsing constitution

Debate over constitution

• Antislavery Coalition backs Douglas
• Douglas asked for another referendum
• Voters rejected constitution in summer of 1858, 10,266 to 138

Aftermath

• To North, Douglas = hero; to South, Douglas = traitor
• Democrats split- divide of North and South
• Debate over constitution caused Lincoln's election

Works Cited

• Brady, M. (Photographer). Stephen A. Douglas- Headshot [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stephen_A_Douglas_-_headshot.jpg
• Constitution Hall in Lecompton, Kansas [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.legendsofkansas.com/towns/Lecompton Constitution Hall.jpg
• Danzer, G., de Alva, J., Krieger, L., Wilson, L., & Woloch, N. (2005). The Americans. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.
• Garrison, Z. (n.d.). Lecompton Constitution. Retrieved from http://www.civilwaronthewesternborder.org/content/lecompton-constitution
• (2002, August ). History [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.kshs.org/places/constitution/graphics/history.jpg

Works cited 2

• (Post 1861). James Buchanan- Post Presidency [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_Buchanan_-_post_presidency.jpg
• Lecompton Constitution. (2014). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334379/Lecompton-Constitution
• Magee, J. (Photographer). (1856). Forcing slavery down the throat of a Free-Soiler [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.legendsofkansas.com/people/Forcing Slavery.jpg
• McNamara, R. (n.d.). Lecompton Constitution. Retrieved from http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Lecompton-Constitution-def...
• (2004, November 16). States Map [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.civilwarhome.com/images/statesmap.jp

works cited 3

• (2013, February 24). 844430910 [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://mrmckown.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/2/5/14253395/844430910.jpg?493