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The Missouri Compromise
Missouri entered as a slave state and Maine entered as a free state. Then the 36' 30" line was drawn to help decide if slavery would be allowed in certain states or not. The Missouri Compromise worked until about 1850. -
Wilmot Proviso
A Pennsylvanian Congressman named David Wilmot presented a plan to stop the spread of slavery into territories won from Mexico. His plan passed in the House but failed in the Senate. His plan showed the power of the North and made the South suspicious of the North's intentions. -
Free Soil Part
A new political party formed in Buffalo, New York. Formed by Northerners who wanted to discuss the issue of slavery. This was the first party formed that was a sectional party. They picked Martin Van Buren as their candidate for President. -
Compromise
California enters as a free state, area from Mexican Cession divided into Utah and New Mexico and slavery issue would be decided by popular sovereignty. Ended slave trade in Washington D.C., made a strict Fugitive State Law and settled border problems between New Mexico and Texas. Made problems better for a while then they became worse again. -
Fugitive Slave Law
Was part of the Missouri Compromise and required citizens to catch runaway slaves. If a person didn't follow the law, they could be fined up to $1000 or put in jail for six months. Judges received $10 if they returned a slave and $5 if they freed them. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
A novel written by Harriett Beecher Stowe. It was written to show the EVILS of slavery by telling the story of an older slave who was whipped to death by his owner. After the book, Northerners began to change their view of slavery and Southerners said the book was full of lies. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act
Divides land into Kansas and Nebraska territories. Slavery would be decided by popular sovereignty. This led to violence in the Senate and Northerners believe this repeals the Missouri Compromise. Pro-slavery and Anti-slavery settlers in one are lead to conflict. -
Pottawatomie Creek Killings
John Brown and his four sons decided to take the law into their own hands. They rode into a small town named Pottawatomie Creek and pull 5 pro-slavery men out of their beds in the middle of the night and murdered them. John Brown believed he was doing what God told him to do. Many Northerners were appalled by what he did. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave and lived in a free territory. His owner died and Dred Scott believed he should be free so he went to Supreme Court but he lost. The Court ruled he was not a citizen and was property. -
Lincoln-Douglass Debate
Lincoln and Douglass debated. Douglass believed in deciding slavery by popular sovereignty while Lincoln believed that slavery should not be allowed to spread into the territories. Lincoln also believed the Nation could not survive if the fighting continued to rip the Union apart with the slavery issue. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown, along with 5 blacks and 13 whites planned to raid and start a slave revolt in Harper's Ferry. The problem was that no slaves rose to help, Brown was arrested by Robert E. Lee and many of his men died. Brown was found guilty of murder and treason and was hanged. Many Northerners thought of him as a martyr. -
Presidential Election
Lincoln ran against Douglass in the Presidential Election. The Southerners did not like Lincoln and supported Douglass but Lincoln still got elected. Southerners grew angry and believed this show the North had too much power. Many Southerners talked about seceding from the Union.
