The Democratic Party’s dominance in Southern politics dates back to the early 1800s. Here’s a clear timeline of how it tied into the defense of slavery:
Early Democratic Party (1820s–1830s)
- The modern Democratic Party grew out of Andrew Jackson’s movement in the 1820s.
- By the 1830s, Democrats were the dominant party in the South and strongly supported states’ rights—a doctrine often used to defend slavery.
Pre–Civil War Era (1830s–1860)
- Southern Democrats consistently opposed abolition and worked to protect and expand slavery into new territories.
- They defended slavery as both an economic necessity and, later, a “positive good.”
- The Missouri Compromise (1820), Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) all involved Democratic leaders seeking ways to preserve or spread slavery.
- In the 1850s, the Democratic Party split between Northern Democrats (who were sometimes more moderate) and Southern Democrats (who were uncompromisingly pro-slavery).
Civil War Period (1860–1865)
- The split became final in the election of 1860:
- Northern Democrats nominated Stephen A. Douglas.
- Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, who campaigned on protecting slavery in all U.S. territories.
- After Lincoln’s victory, Southern Democratic leaders spearheaded secession and formed the Confederacy to preserve slavery.
✅ Summary:
The Democratic Party was the main political force defending slavery in the South from the 1830s through the Civil War. Southern Democrats worked tirelessly in state politics and in Congress to protect, expand, and ultimately secede to preserve slavery until it was abolished by the 13th Amendment in 1865.
