On 4 january 1858, kansas voters, having the opportunity to reject the constitution altogether in the referendum, overwhelmingly rejected the lecompton proposal by a vote of 10,226 to 8. As a result, the lecompton constitution, with is provisions for slavery, was adopted. The lecompton constitution by stephen levesque c period 10. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution. Dec 08, 2007 the lecompton constitution was the antislavery document named after the town in which it was drafted. Dec 31, 2012 the lecompton constitution was one of four proposed kansas state constitutions. The lecompton constitution supported the existence of slavery in the proposed state and protected rights of slaveholders. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate. Four designs for magic lantern slides, images 1, 5, 4 and 7 showing the clearing of the first settlement, the devil introducing slavery into the colony, the devil flying away as slaves are freed and whites setting fire to the homes of freed slaves. The senate approved the lecompton constitution over the nearfatal opposition of stephen douglas, who felt the documents procedural history made a mockery of popular sovereignty. Nov 12, 2014 discover how the issue of slavery came to dominate american politics, and how political leaders struggled and failed to resolve the growing crisis in the nation.
But when the lecompton constitution met its demise, the leavenworth constitution did, as well. The lecompton constitution was the second of the four proposed constitution for the state of kansas. It is also important to remember that in regard to the lecompton constitution the issue is popular sovereignty even though the controversy is over slavery. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate of the united states, march 4, 1858. Of the voters present, 1,926 accepted the terms of statehood proposed by congress, while 11,812 rejected them, along with the lecompton constitution. The state was dominated by jacksonian democrats since iowa became a state in 1848. The document was written in response to the antislavery position of the 1855 topeka constitution of james h. When the lecompton constitution was resubmitted to the people of kansas for a vote, the results of the referendum were devastating to the proslave faction, and to the hideous embarrassment of. The congress ultimately rejected the lecompton constitution and kansas entered the nation as a free state in 1861. This resource on the lecompton constitution is also included in the much larger sectionalism and irreconcilable period bundle, located here.
The lecompton constitution was a proslavery document, pushed through by fraud, which congress did not approve the lecompton constitution was a proslavery constitution which was written in order to admit the state of kansas to the union that was opposed to the topeka constitution which was antislavery. In disagreement, congress sent the lecompton constitution back to the voters of kansas, where this time it was roundly defeated at the polls. The lecompton constitution was the second constitution drafted for kansas territory and was written by proslavery supporters. The lecompton constitution, kansas 1857 excerpts relating to slavery from annals of kansas, 1857. Oct 17, 2011 the senate approved the lecompton constitution over the nearfatal opposition of stephen douglas, who felt the documents procedural history made a mockery of popular sovereignty. The proslavery lecompton constitution was formulated sept. The lecompton constitutions effect on the state of iowa is very important. In addition, the constitution provided for a referendum that allowed voters the choice of allowing more slaves to the territory. The document was written in response to the antislavery position of the 1855 topeka constitution of james. Lecompton constitution article about lecompton constitution. Even though the voters in kansas had rejected the lecompton constitution, buchanan managed to pass his bill through the house, but it was blocked in the senate by northerners led by stephen a.
In any case, after much rejection, wrangling, bloodshed, speechifying, and. Although the lecompton constitution seems to be about the issue of slavery in the state of kansas, the issue would have to be decided by the people of the state. Lecompton constitution, 1857, instrument framed in lecompton, kan. Lecompton constitution united states history britannica. He feels he needs to repay them, so he endorses the kansas constitution. Speech on the admission of kansas, under the lecompton constitution book.
Eventually, congress voted to call a new vote on the lecompton constitution, a move which infuriated southerners. Though it was rejected in a territorial election january 1858. This new constitution was proslavery in kansas and protected the rights of slaveholders as well as. In 1857, the lecompton constitution was created allowing for kansas to be a slave state. What was the major complaint with the lecompton constitution. After all the boycotts and victories in the senate and house by both sides of the constitution, the lecompton constitution was completely defeated on august 1858 by the people of kansas by a 6 to 1 margin. It is the oldest building in kansas, consisting of the land office desk owned by albert boone, the famous candle box where john calhoun dropped fake ballots cast in the vote of the lecompton constitution, and also the office safe of the. The president at the time, president buchanan, owes his presidency to the southern voters. Lecompton constitution, a proposed constitution under which the territory of kansas would have entered the union as a slave state. Named after a small town in douglas county, kansas, the lecompton constitution was one of four proposed kansas state constitutions.
In 1859, iowas republican party held all major offices in the state of iowa. The lecompton constitution gave the iowa republican party a strong political hold on all political offices during the 1850s. The document was worded that whether it was voted up or down, slavery in some form was protected. Kansas applied for statehood twice the lecompton capital supported kansas as a slave state with its lecompton constitution, and the topeka capital supported kansas as a free state.
What is the summary of the lecompton constitution answers. Feb 05, 2011 a twominute video about the creation of the lecompton constitution during the period when kansas was trying to become a state. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution topic. The legislature drew up the lecompton constitution. The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction, and the right of the owner of a slave to such slave and its increase is the same and as inviolable as the. But the lecompton constitution was not finally rejected until the house of representatives voted down the admission of kansas as a state under the lecompton constitution by a close margin, featuring stephen douglas and many northern democrats siding with the free soil republicans. Lecompton constitution kansas memory this is the text of the lecompton constitution, as printed in daniel w. Numerous constitutions were advanced by the territory to make this decision.
The lecompton constitution was rejected on august 2, 1858, by a vote of 1,926 to 11,812. It contained clauses protecting slaveholding and a bill of rights excluding free blacks, and it added to the frictions leading up to the u. The document was written in response to the anti slavery position of the 1855 topeka constitution of james h. The lecompton constitution was the antislavery document named after the town in which it was drafted. Lecompton constitution proslavery constitution written for kansas admission to the union in opposition to the antislavery topeka constitution. The lecompton constitution by stephen levesque c period. Kansas constitutions kansapedia kansas historical society. In the final vote, residents of kansas territory rejected the lecompton constitution. The constitution was drawn up at lecompton, the territorial. Discover how the issue of slavery came to dominate american politics, and how political leaders struggled and failed to resolve the growing crisis in the nation. The purpose of this lesson is to study the lecompton constitution as it dealt with the issue of popular sovereignty.
Douglas recalled, the lecompton constitution, i told buchannan bluntly, was a blatant fraud on the people of kansas and the process of democracy, i warned him not to recommend acceptance of it. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution kansas. The other proposed state constitutions were the topeka constitution, the leavenworth constitution and the wyandotte. This constitution was called the lecompton constitution because it was written in lecomton, kansas, by the prosalvery government. The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction, and the right of the owner of a slave to such slave and its increase is the same and as inviolable as the right of the owner of any property whatever. When the lecompton constitution was resubmitted to the people of kansas for a vote, the results of the referendum were devastating to the proslave faction, and.
He took up the charges which has recently been made against him that. Though it is not widely remembered today, just the mention of lecompton stirred deep emotions among americans in the late 1850s. Proslavery forces supported by president james buchanan attempted to push the constitution through the us congress for acceptance. This resulted in a rift between those who followed buchanan and douglas in. Students complete an introductory reading on the lecompton constitution that can serve as an allinclusive assignment if time is limited. Both were rejected by congress, and kansas later came in as a free state in 1863 in the middle of civil war. Speech on the admission of kansas, under the lecompton. History chapter 10 sections 3 and 4 flashcards quizlet.
Lecompton constitution proslavery free soilers boycott the election supported by president buchanan rejected by congress lecompton constitution dred scott was a slave who sued for his freedom dred scott case goes to supreme court in 1857 roger taney was the chief justice a southern democrat. Lecompton constitution excerpt of the 8 page document. Despite the proviso, the constitution was rejected by kansans, and kansas was admitted to the union as a free state in 1861. Students learn about the lecompton constitution that nearly admitted kansas as a slave state, its fate, and how its controversy further split the nation. The lecompton constitution was the second of four proposed constitutions for the state of kansas it was preceded by the topeka constitution and was followed by the leavenworth and wyandotte. What was so important about the lecompton constitution.
Meeting at the town of lecompton, the proslavery convention in kansas had drawn up a proposed. The lecompton constitution was the second of four proposed constitutions for the state of kansas it was preceded by the topeka constitution and was followed by the leavenworth and wyandotte constitutions, the wyandotte becoming the kansas state constitution. Furthermore, a new constitution, the antislavery leavenworth constitution, was already being drafted. On december 21, 1856 an election was held under this call, the freestate men not voting, with the result of 6,266 for the constitution with slavery and 569 for the constitution with no slavery. On the admission of kansas under the lecompton constitution. December 21, 1857, january 4, 1858, and august 2, 1858. You will see the hardbound volume of the 1855 statues of kansas territory preserved in the constitution hall.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. See other formats v hon sgikiuylet c ouak, ifc i wx ii ii 1 1 11 1 moufeu zo, ii0t class. A twominute video about the creation of the lecompton constitution during the period when kansas was trying to become a state. The lecompton constitution was one of four proposed kansas state constitutions. What was the historical significance of the lecompton. The house voted to require a new referendum in kansas in which voters could vote up or down on the entire lecompton constitution. With his head titled forward in that bizarre habit of his, he said that he intended to endorse the constitution and send it to congress. Though it is not widely remembered today, just the mention of lecompton stirred deep emotions among. The lecompton constitutional convention was held on september, 1857 in lecompton, kansas territory. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate of the united states, march 4, 1858 hammond, james henry on. Unit 5 18441878 advanced placement us history with ms. The lecompton constitution is easiest to understand when examined through the series of steps needed to create a state constitution.
Lecomptonism became the rallying cry of the peoples party in the 1860 election. Lecompton constitution in 1857, proslavery govt in kansas wrote constitution and asked for admittance to union freesoilers rejected it because it protected rights of slave holders. It is also important to remember that in regard to the lecompton constitution the issue is popular sovereignty even though the controversy is slavery. The lecompton constitution was a controversial and disputed legal document of the kansas territory that became the focus of a great national crisis as the united states split over the issue of slavery in the decade before the civil war. Douglas addressed a mass meeting at milwaukee, wisconsin.