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Missouri Compromise
With many people finding slavery an issue, the admitting of new states was really annoying. There were debates over the admitting of new states. Henry Clay came up with the idea of making Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state. There was also a 36°30° line declaring new territories below slave and above free. -
Nullification Crisis
Due to the passing of the Tariff of Abominations, the Southern states felt the tariffs supported the North, Vice President John C. Calhoun said any state could nullify a law it deems unconstitutional. The federal government denied the argument and made South Carolina want to secede. Henry Clay cane up with a compromise to lower the tariff. -
Compromise of 1850
The congress had debates if new territories won from Mexico would be slave or free states. Henry Clay created the Compromise of 1850, which stated that California would be a free state and the slave trade in Washington DC would be abolished. The congress though wouldn't pass laws abolishing slavery from the other territories won. Some of the citizens felt that the 1850 compromise saved the Union. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was an act that stated that slaves that fled to the north would be captured. This act increased tension between the North and South. This act led to John Brown's Raid and the Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas
Kansas was allowed to vote for or against slavery. People from neighboring state Missouri came to vote illegally. Many people felt betrayed and started to kill others. John Brown, and extreme abolitionist, murdered several slavery followers. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who sued slavery for freedom. He argued that it was unconstitutional. The Court said that he was property and that property can't be taken away. Also, they declared African Americans were not citizens when the constitution was drafted. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown was one of the most extreme abolitionist ever. One of his most known acts was an attack on a Southern military base. He wanted to take it over and arm the slaves in Virginia. Sadly, none of the slaves knew they could be free and didn't help. -
The Election of 1860
In the Election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln wins the election. The southerners didn't trust Lincoln because he stated that he would do nothing to abolish slavery. Shortly after Lincoln is elected as president, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States.
