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Proviso banning slavery
David Wilmot introduces Proviso banning slavery in the Mexican cession -
Free Soil party founded
The Free Soil party began with the nomination of Martin Van Buren. -
Zachary Taylor elected president
Zachary Taylor, a Whig, was elected president, he defeated Lewis Cass, a Democrat, and Martin Van Buren, Free-Soil -
California seeks admission
California seeks admission o the Union as a free state. -
Compromise 1850
Congress debates sectional issues and enacts Compromise 1850 -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom's Cabin -
Franklin Pierce elected president.
Franklin Pierce, a Democrat, elected president by a large majority over Winfield Scott, a Whig. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Congress passes Kansas-Nebraska Act, repealing the Missouri Compromise. -
Republican party founded
the republican party was founded from the members of the Free-Soil party. -
Know Nothing party
Know Nothing party achieves stunning successes in state politics -
Control of Kansas Territory
Free state and slave state forces struggle for control of Kansas Territory -
Charles Sumner assaulted
Preston Brooks assaults Charles Sumner on Senate floor -
James Buchanan elected president
James Buchanan wins presidency despite strong challenge in the north from John C. Fremont -
Dred Scott case
Supreme Court decides Dred Scott case and legalizes slavery in all territories. -
Kansas admittance refused
Congress refuses to admit Kansas to Union under the proslavery Lecompton constitution -
slavery issue Illinois
Lincoln and Douglas debate slavery issue in Illinois -
Harpers Ferry raids
John Brown raids Harpers Ferry, is captured and executed -
Lincoln elected president
Lincoln wins the presidency over Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell -
Abraham Lincoln
Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for presidency. -
Democratic party splits
Democratic party splits into northern and southern factions with separate candidates and platforms
