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Wilmot Proviso
This was proposed by the Congressman David Wilmot. The Wilmot Proviso aimed to ban slavery in all territory obtained by Mexico. Even though this did not get passed, it sparked an intense argument and widened sectional divides. The Wilmot Proviso expands on the idea that there is growing tension over the expansion of slavery. This also directly contributed to the animosity between the North and the South which was very controversial. The North and South had different opinions. (Varon, 104) -
Mexican American War
After Texas was annexed, territorial issues led to the Mexican-American War. The debates over the spread of slavery into new states grew a bigger debate as a result of the outcome of the war in which the US gained big territory specifically the west but more importantly, California and New Mexico. Tensions over the spread of slavery into new areas was a major factor that ignited the civil war. (Mcpherson, 56) -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the treaty that ended the Mexican-American war and yielded vast territories like California, New Mexico, and Arizona. this made questions for the US about the spread of slavery into the new territories. this treaty also set the scene for political battles over whether or not these new areas would permit slavery or be free states which made the sectional conflict intensify. this treaty also expanded the debate over the slavery expansion. (Mcpherson, 62). -
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush was the discovery of gold in California. this led to a big flood of settlers increasing California's population. California then applied for statehood in 1849. this makes questions of whether will they be a free state or a slave state. this large population also put pressure on the federal government to address the status of slavery in new territory quickly. This led to political tension in California as well as many questions from settlers and residents. (Varon, 134). -
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the compromise of 1850 was the fugitive slave act. this law made it mandatory that runaway slaves had to be returned to their owners even if they ran away to a free state. it also punished anyone who assisted a slave runaway. this law was opposed by northern abolitionists and led to widespread resistance, feeding anti-slavery sentiment in the North. this act enraged northerners many who were indifferent to slaves. this made further abolitionist movements in the north. (Varon 159). -
Compormise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state. this created stricter fugitive slave laws and left the decision on slavery in the territories to popular sovereignty. the compromise of 1850 was a temporary measure as it failed to address the divisions between North and South leading to bigger issues. The Compromise of 1850 also attempted to balance the interests of slave and free states. It has also laid the groundwork for some potential conflicts in the future. (McPherson 23). -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that showed the harsh realities of slavery. it was published and became a best seller. it shocked anti-slavery sentiment in the North and made the South resentment widen. the book humanizes enslaved people making the reader feel an emotional connection to the slaves and sympathizing with them. this increased the calls for the abolition of slavery. this was a culturally significant piece of writing still to this day. (Mcpherson 182). -
Gadsden Purchase
The US had purchased land from Mexico (which is present-day southern Arizona as well as new Mexico) to facilitate the construction of a transcontinental railroad. the purchase also reopened debates over whether or not the new territory would allow slavery further making tensions high between the North and the South. The Gadsden Purchase increased territorial disputes over whether or not slavery would be permitted in new lands which added to sectional tensions. (Mcpherson ,145). -
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott V. Sandford case that African Americans free or slaves were not US citizens and didn't have the right to sue in federal court. it also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional which allowed slavery to spread into territories that had been free before. this decision further made the nation polarized and undermined efforts to resolve the slavery issue through a legislative compromise. this was a key event in the slavery struggle. (Varon, 254). -
Lecompton constitution
The Lecompton constitution was when pro-slavery advocates in Kansas attempted to pass this constitution which would make Kansas a slave state. even though the constitution was rejected by the Kansas voters, it deepened the divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces and was a major key moment in the bleeding Kansas violence. this constitution was part of the bleeding Kansas violence and underscored the difficulties in determining the future of slavery in the territories. (Mcpherson 211).