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Free Soil Party
Free-Soil PartyThe conflict of slavery became an important issue after the Mexican-American War. Wilmot proviso wanted to prohibit salveryin the new territories, while allowing it to continue in the South. In 1848, a new political party called the Free Soil Party came out. Their slogan is to call for "free soilm free speech, free labor and free men." -
The Compromise of 1850
California sought statehood. It threatened the balance between free and slave states in Congress. The Compromise of 1850 allowed California to enter as a free state, while the other new territories dealt with the slavery issue through popular sovereignty. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas-Nabraska ActIn 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed popular sovereignty in Kansas and Nebraska. It caused proslavery and antislaverysettlers to flock to Kansas. By 1856, Kansas had two governments, one proslavery and the other antislavery. Violence betwen the two sides got the territory the nickname "bleeding Kansas." -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott v. SandfordThe Dred Scott v. Sandford decision widened divisions between North and South.The Supreme Court suled against Scott, stating that slaves were property, not citizens. The court also said that the federal government could not ban slavery in any territory. -
The Confederate States.
The Confederate StatesSouth Carolina seceded from the Union and was soon joined by six other states. They formed the Confederate States of America. The confederate constitution guaranteed the protection of slavery. -
The fall of Fort Sumter
After the Union commander refused to five up the fort, Confederate troops fired on it until the federal troops surrendered. The Fall of Fort Sumter marked the start of the Civi War.
