Dred Scott Descision and The Election of 1860

The Dred Scott Case was case brought to the Supreme Court in 1857. Dred Scott was an African slave who sued for his and his families freedom. He believed that since he had traveled to free states with his master, Dr. John Emerson, a military medical officer, he too should be set free. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney ruled against Scott on the notion that "All men are created equal"
(Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776) did not apply to African descendants. Moreover, he decided that blacks were not citizens, and therefore, could not sue. This catalyzed the Abolitionist movement, and provided the pro-slavery South a legal endorsement., which only caused more tension between the two opposing factions.

Dred Scott
Source: http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-86875/Dred-Scott-was-a-slave-who-sued-for-his-freedom

The Presidential Election of 1860 is significant because it is popularly believed to be the tipping point leading to the Civil War. The democrats of the North and South were engaged in such conflict of interests over their nomination that Southern party members stormed out of the convention. The Republican party was quick to realize they could rise from the ashes of the democrats and win the election. The Republicans  nominated Abraham Lincoln to run for president with the hope that he could win the key, undecided states: Illinois, Missouri, Pensylvania, and New Jersey. Lincoln received 40% of the popular vote and 180 electoral votes, which was barley enough to win the election. Lincoln was an abolitionist, so therefore he would aim to stop proliferation of slavery to new states. This caused mass uproar among the Southern states, which began discussions over secession from the Union.

"Dividing the National Map"- Artist Unknown
Satirical political cartoon on the Election of 1860
Source/Read More At: http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/media_player?mets_filename=evm00001319mets.xml

Map of the Election of 1860
(Notice how Lincoln had less than half of the popular vote)
Source:faculty.umf.maine.edu