This resource on the lecompton constitution is also included in the much larger sectionalism and irreconcilable period bundle, located here. 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. The lecompton constitutions effect on the state of iowa is very important. Lecompton constitution excerpt of the 8 page document. 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. It is also important to remember that in regard to the lecompton constitution the issue is popular sovereignty even though the controversy is slavery. Eventually, congress voted to call a new vote on the lecompton constitution, a move which infuriated southerners. 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. 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. What was so important about the lecompton constitution. The lecompton constitution, kansas 1857 excerpts relating to slavery from annals of kansas, 1857.
Lecompton constitution united states history britannica. 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. 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. 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. Though it was rejected in a territorial election january 1858.
He feels he needs to repay them, so he endorses the kansas constitution. 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. Lecompton constitution, a proposed constitution under which the territory of kansas would have entered the union as a slave state. Though it is not widely remembered today, just the mention of lecompton stirred deep emotions among americans in the late 1850s. 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 one of four proposed kansas state constitutions. The lecompton constitution by stephen levesque c period 10.
Lecompton constitution article about lecompton constitution. The lecompton constitution is easiest to understand when examined through the series of steps needed to create a state constitution. Proslavery forces supported by president james buchanan attempted to push the constitution through the us congress for acceptance. See other formats v hon sgikiuylet c ouak, ifc i wx ii ii 1 1 11 1 moufeu zo, ii0t class. The lecompton constitution was the second of the four proposed constitution for the state of kansas. What was the historical significance of the lecompton. In any case, after much rejection, wrangling, bloodshed, speechifying, and. Both were rejected by congress, and kansas later came in as a free state in 1863 in the middle of civil war.
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 purpose of this lesson is to study the lecompton constitution as it dealt with the issue of popular sovereignty. The other proposed state constitutions were the topeka constitution, the leavenworth constitution and the wyandotte. 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. As a result, the lecompton constitution, with is provisions for slavery, was adopted. 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. In 1859, iowas republican party held all major offices in the state of iowa. December 21, 1857, january 4, 1858, and august 2, 1858. The lecompton constitution was the second constitution drafted for kansas territory and was written by proslavery supporters. While the debate shifted to the national scene, delegates for the territorys third constitutional convention were elected on march 9 and assembled in leavenworth on march 25, 1858. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate of the united states, march 4, 1858. He took up the charges which has recently been made against him that. 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.
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. 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. 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. Though it is not widely remembered today, just the mention of lecompton stirred deep emotions among. Feb 05, 2011 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 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.
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 lecompton constitutional convention was held on september, 1857 in lecompton, kansas territory. Meeting at the town of lecompton, the proslavery convention in kansas had drawn up a proposed. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate of. It contained clauses protecting slaveholding and a bill of rights excluding free blacks, and it added to the frictions leading up to the u. Students learn about the lecompton constitution that nearly admitted kansas as a slave state, its fate, and how its controversy further split the nation. Lecompton constitution, 1857, instrument framed in lecompton, kan. The lecompton constitution by stephen levesque c period. The lecompton constitution was rejected on august 2, 1858, by a vote of 1,926 to 11,812. The house voted to require a new referendum in kansas in which voters could vote up or down on the entire lecompton constitution. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution. 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.
What was the major complaint with the lecompton constitution. You will see the hardbound volume of the 1855 statues of kansas territory preserved in the constitution hall. The constitution was drawn up at lecompton, the territorial. Numerous constitutions were advanced by the territory to make this decision. The lecompton constitution gave the iowa republican party a strong political hold on all political offices during the 1850s. This resulted in a rift between those who followed buchanan and douglas in. This new constitution was proslavery in kansas and protected the rights of slaveholders as well as. 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. But when the lecompton constitution met its demise, the leavenworth constitution did, as well. 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. Dec 08, 2007 the lecompton constitution was the antislavery document named after the town in which it was drafted. The document was written in response to the antislavery position of the 1855 topeka constitution of james.
In 1857, the lecompton constitution was created allowing for kansas to be a slave state. Unit 5 18441878 advanced placement us history with ms. Lecompton constitution kansas memory this is the text of the lecompton constitution, as printed in daniel w. The president at the time, president buchanan, owes his presidency to the southern voters. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution kansas. 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 document was worded that whether it was voted up or down, slavery in some form was protected. 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. 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. Lecomptonism became the rallying cry of the peoples party in the 1860 election.
Students complete an introductory reading on the lecompton constitution that can serve as an allinclusive assignment if time is limited. Douglas addressed a mass meeting at milwaukee, wisconsin. Despite the proviso, the constitution was rejected by kansans, and kansas was admitted to the union as a free state in 1861. 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 state was dominated by jacksonian democrats since iowa became a state in 1848. Lecompton constitution proslavery constitution written for kansas admission to the union in opposition to the antislavery topeka constitution. 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. Speech on the admission of kansas, under the lecompton constitution book. Popular sovereignty and the lecompton constitution topic. Kansasthe lecompton constitution speech in the senate of the united states, march 4, 1858 hammond, james henry on. On the admission of kansas under the lecompton constitution. 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. What is the summary of the lecompton constitution answers.
The lecompton constitution supported the existence of slavery in the proposed state and protected rights of slaveholders. 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. This constitution was called the lecompton constitution because it was written in lecomton, kansas, by the prosalvery government. Speech on the admission of kansas, under the lecompton. The proslavery lecompton constitution was formulated sept. In the final vote, residents of kansas territory rejected the lecompton constitution. Furthermore, a new constitution, the antislavery leavenworth constitution, was already being drafted. The document was written in response to the antislavery position of the 1855 topeka constitution of james h. Kansas constitutions kansapedia kansas historical society. The congress ultimately rejected the lecompton constitution and kansas entered the nation as a free state in 1861. The legislature drew up the lecompton constitution. History chapter 10 sections 3 and 4 flashcards quizlet.