This political cartoon, titled, "Forcing Slavery Down The Throat of a Freesoiler," was published in 1856 by illustrator John L. Magee on Harper's Weekly. This was in response to violence against antislavery supporters in Kansas. The cartoon shows several Democratic figures--namely Stephen Douglas, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Lewis Cass--shoving a peronified version of slavery (a black man) down a "freesoiler's" throat. The term "freesoiler" refers to an
Here are the series of events that occurred while the Lecompton Constitution was being debated:
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In 1855, The Topeka Constitution was proposed by anti-slavery supporters but was quickly rejected by both Congress and the President. It would be the first of four attempts to write a constitution for Kansas to ease the state's conflict with slavery.
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November 7, 1857: The Lecompton Constitution was drafted in response to the Topeka Constitution, and thus it had a focus on anti-slavery principles.
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On December 21, 1857, the Lecompton Constitution would be voted on by citizens of Kansas. Many slavery supporters from Missouri would cross the border to Kansas in order to skew the votes and allow the constitution to be passed.​
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During February of 1858, the Lecompton Constitution is submitted to the Congress. The notorious meeting with the House of Representatives occurs, which turns violent due to the heated debate concerning the constitution.
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The Senate approves the Lecompton Constitution. However, the House of Representatives decides to redo the vote in Kansas to make the final decision. On April 10th, the House and Representatives and the Senate agree that a popular vote will determine whether or not Kansas would join America as a free or slave state.
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On August 2, 1858, a fair election takes place, in which a fewer number of Missourians crossed borders to influence the result. The anti-slavery citizens of Kansas greatly outnumber the supporters of slavery, and the Lecompton Constitution is rejected.