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The growth of slavery was often debated in politics. Henry Clay, known as the great compromiser, settled the debate with the Missouri compromise, which was a series of laws that maintained the balance between free and slave states.
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Due to the passing tariff laws of 1828 and 1832, some of the states in the South felt that the tariffs were unfair and only supported the North. South Carolina threatened to secede after it's argument against the tariff was rejected. Henry Clay came up with a compromise and lowered the tariff.
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there were many heated debates in congress whether or not the new territories gained from Mexico were going to be free or slave states.Henry Clay was then back at it with the compromises. He suggested that California would be admitted as a free state and slave trade would be abolished in Washington D.C. No laws would be passed banning slavery from the rest of the territories.
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The fugitive slave act was passed in 1850 by Congress. It permitted the capture of African-Americans who had escaped. The laws created even more tension, and set the stage for John Brown's raid and the Civil war.
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Before Kansas was to enter the Union there was an election for official state legislature being held. 5000 pro slavery Missouri residents came and voted for pro slavery representatives in Kansas illegally. Kansas was given a pro slavery representative. Anti-slavery opponents created their own government which was attacked by pro slavery forces. As revenge, extreme abolitionist John Brown murdered several of his pro slavery members.
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Dred Scott was a slave who attempted to sue his owner for freedom.The court ruled that Scott was property of his owner and could not be taken from a person without Due process of law.
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John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom. He planned to capture the arsenal to arm the slaves. No one followed him, so Brown and his men were captured. 10 were killed. Abolitionists saluted John as he was put to death. This was the breaking point in the fight against slavery.
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Abraham Lincoln won the election and the southern states begin to secede from the Union shortly after.
