the lecompton constitution Flashcards
(12 cards)
Feb 1857
Events on Feb 1857 Govenor John Geary of Kansas had restored order in the territory at the end of 1856, with a free- state majority. Buchanan was committed to popular sovereignty so needed to ensure the will of the majority prevailed.
In Feb, the Lecompton Constitution had authorised the election (in June) of a constitutional convention which would meet in Sept to draw up a constitution which would set the territory on the road to statehood.
March 1857
March 1857
Geary, although arriving in Kansas resenting abolitionists, had turned against the pro-slavery party by the start of 1857. He resigned in March 1857 as he was threatened with assassination by pro-slavers. He warned Buchanan that he should not support pro-slavers which Buchanan took notice of.
May 1857
May 1857
New Governer, Robert Walker arrived in Kansas. Realising that majority were anti-slavery and Democratic, he decided that his aim would be to bring Kansas into the Union as a free, Democrat-vote state like California etc. He was too late however to change the election procedure.
June 1857
June 1857
Election, only 2200 of the registered 9000 people entitled to vote did so. Pro-savers won all the seats in the convention. Pro-slavers were therefore angry at Walkers free-state sympathies.
October 1857
October 1857
Elections for a new territorial Kansas legislature were held. Walker managed to convince free staters to vote and ensured that few people from Missouri crossed into Kansas to vote. However, pro-slavery still won the majority. Free staters charged pro-slavers with fraud which ended up being true, e.g. one village with 30 eligible voters returned more than 1600 pro-slavery votes. Walker overturned the results, and the pro-free state won.
However, a pro-slavery “Lecompton constitution” was drafted, which regarded slave property as inviolable(useful). Allowed residents to vote for or against it.
November 1857
November 1857
Walker resigned and insisted that the Lecompton constitution did not fulfill the promise of popular sovereignty, however Buchanan ignored this as he wanted to maintain Southern support. Most free staters didn’t vote in protest, so Southerners won with 6143 votes to 549
December 1857
December 1857
Buchanan supported the Lecompton Constitution which was a blunder. By accepting it he alienated the North and gave Republicans ammunition. If he had listened to Walker, he wouldn’t have lost much support from the South.
Topeka
Topeka – unofficial
how buchanans support for the lecompton constitution heightened tension and rallied support for the republicans
Buchanan supported the Lecompton Constitution which was a blunder. By accepting it he alienated the North and gave Republicans ammunition. If he had listened to Walker, he wouldn’t have lost much support from the South. Proof of the slave power conspiracy at work.
How Buchanan split Democrats
Buchanan angered Northern Democrats e.g. Stephen A Douglass by supporting the Lecompton Constitution as they were committed to popular sovereignty and this clearly wasn’t as the majority didn’t win.
Douglas’ position on Lecompton
Douglas, briefed by Walker, met with Buchanan privately, telling him not to support Lecompton and threatened to oppose him if he did, however this had no effect on Buchanans position. In a speech in the Senate, Douglass attacked both Buchanan and Lecompton.
How did Buchanans position change?
In Jan 1858 referendum 10 226 voted against Lecompton, 138 voted for it with slavery and 4 voted without. Buchanan still didn’t change his mind. Buchanan changed his view as he was concerned about the 1858 mid-term elections.
