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Compromise of 1850
In September, 1850 California asked to join the union, and Stephan Douglas created a compromise. It consisted of laws that admitted California as a free state, created Utah and New Mexico and gave them popular sovereignty, and ended Washington D.C. slave trade. The southerners were concerned about California entering because the balance between free and slave states would not be maintained anymore. This was significant to the civil war because it brought up slavery between the north and south. -
Fugitive Slave Law
On September 18, 1850 the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. As apart of the Compromise of 1850, the law was very controversial. It stated that all citizens have to return runaway slaves, and that anyone who helped a slave escape would be jailed and fined. This was significant to the Civil War because it made the northerners apart of slavery and upset them. This also made the people who were involved with the Underground Railroad work to destroy the law. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Toms Cabin". The story was told in a perspective that showed slavery is cruel and should be abolished. It had an enormous influence on the north, and changed the way they thought about slavery. It made them beleive it was terrible and that it should be removed. This was significant to the Civil War because slavery was now a big topic and disagreement between the north and south. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
On May 30, 1854, Stephan Douglas said that Nebraska would be divided into two territories, Kansas and Nebraska. They would decide on their own (popular sovereignty) whether or not they are a slave or free state. Southerners supported it, but northerners didn't. This was significant to the Civil War because it many people come to vote and fight for their position and made Civil War was about to start. -
Bleeding Kansas
From 1854-1861, violence was created in Kansas. More than 200 people died fighting over the issue of slavery. Both sides set up their own governments and the Town of Lawerence was destroyed by pro-slavery. This was significant to the Civil War because it left no room for compromise and both sides were not afraid to fight for their belief. -
The election of 1860
In April 1860, Lincoln was elected president. The south were very upset because he was an abortionist. They felt that they had the right to secede because Lincold would deny their right to own slaves. South Carolina was first to secede, following by many others. This was significant to the Civil war because it led to Fort Sumter which started the Civil War. Lincoln caused much chaos in the south and angered them to the final point.
