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Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that addressed slavery and territorial expansion. During this period of time 5 laws according to this issue were passed by Congress. The fugitive slave act was also strengthened, forcing free states to return escaped slaves back to their owners. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the already existing Missouri Compromise. It did this by allowing Popular Sovereignty, this means that the state as a collective would vote to be either a free or slave state. This act also was the reason for Bleeding Kansas; a very violent fight between pro and anti slavers. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared enslaved people were not considered citizens. Therefore, they could not sue in court, which denied them legal protection from the constitution. This decision also made it so that congress had no authority to ban slavery in the U.S territories. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown's raid was a failed attempt to start a slave rebellion. This raid attempt happened at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Many of Brown's men were captured and killed. After the raid, John brown was convicted and sentenced to death. -
Lincoln's Election
In the 1860 election, Abraham Lincoln defeated Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency. Lincoln won both the popular and electoral votes. Lincoln's vice president at the time was Hannibal Hamlin.