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Southern Sympathies In Illinois As Expressed Through "Nelson Versus The People", Katherine Gosnell

2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity – Documents

During the antebellum period, Illinois proved to be problematic for the North. Geographically, it is a Northern State. Population wise, it was split between Northern and Southern tradition. Around the Chicago area, abolitionism had a strong pull as expressed by the various colored conventions held there, as well as the variety of Whig/Republican newspapers. From the state capital of Springfield and further south, many people held Democratic view points and could sympathize with their Southern neighbors. As Illinois had slave states on two sides, it is easy to understand how these neighbors had an impact on Illinoisan culture and politics. …