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Missouri Compromise of 1820
Missouri wanted to become a state, but it would upset the balance between free and slave states. Henry Clay solved the issue by recommending that Maine become a free state, so both entered the U.S. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a document, written by Wilmot Proviso, stating that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of the territory (The Mexican Cession). People in Penncilvania were afraid of the addition of a new slave state. They also thought that slaves were taking white peoples jobs. -
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun created a compromise over free and slave states. California was to become a free state, whereas New Mexico and Utah were to be decided by popular soverignty. Without this, the war would've broken out sooner than it did. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was the effect of conflict over slavery. Again. Enforcement of Article 4, Section 2 of the Constitution (Slaves who have escaped to slave states were to surrender upon demand) was not being done very well. Slave owners were afraid of their slaves escaping to free states and wanted a formal reassurance that would not happen. -
Kansas-Nebrasca Act
The Kansas-Nebrasca Act allowed for popular soverignty on whether or not Kansas and Nebrasca would become free or slave states. This Act nullified the Missouri Compromise and enraged many northerners because of it. -
Bleeding Kansas
Because whether or not Kansas would become a slave state was decided on popular soverignty, settlers rushed into Kansas to tip the decision. Intense violence broke out and a Norther named John Brown led troops on Kansas. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford