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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was when Henry Clay agreed to keep free states, and slave states, where Missouri became a slave state and Maine became a free state in order to keep the balance between slave and free states. This lead to sectional tensions between the North and South becuase Abolitionists wanted slavery banned forever and insisted it was morally wrong while Southerners thought slavery should be allowed in all territories. -
Nat Turner's rebellion
Nat Turner, was a preacher and enslaved worker who believed his mission was to take revenge on plantation owners, so he started a rebellion, killing 57 whites. This lead to sectional tensions between the North and South because it increased Southern fears that all african americans, slave or not would start an uprising. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of five parts. The parts were; California entered the Union as a free state, Mexican Cession divided into New Mexico and Utah territories, slave trade ended in DC, strict fugitive slave law, and a settled border was put between Texas and New Mexico. This lead to sectional tensions between the North and South because the slave act made anti-slavery northerners mad by forcing them to catch runaway slaves, forcing them into the slave system. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was an Act that required all citizens to help catch runaway slaves. This lead to sectional tensions because northerners felt like they were forced to allow slavery and be involved in the slave system. If they didn't suspects were not allowed trial. Judges recieved $10 for sending accused run aways to the south and $5 for setting them free. Lured by the money some judges sent people back whether they were slaves or not. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that was written about the evils of slavery. This led to sectional tensions because the North and South had very different views about slavery. Despite the North's rejection to slavery they felt this was an issue they could no longer ignore or reject -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was an act that gave settlers the right of sovereighty in slavery. This lead to many sectional tensions because Northerners called the act "a criminak betrayal of precious acts" because slavery could now spread to areas that had previously been free. They also felt the act would repeal the Missouri Compromise, and openly challenging the Fugitive Slave Act -
"Bleeding Kansas"
Bleeding Kansas was when a band of proslavery men raided the town of Lawrence, an anti-slavery stronghold in 1856. John Brown, was abolitionist who moved to Kansas to try to make it free. Brown rode with his four sons and two other men to the town of Pottawatomie Creek. This led to sectonal tensions because they dragged five proslavery men from their beds in the middle of the night and murdered them. Both sides then ingaged in guerrilla warfare, by late 1856 over 200 people were killed -
Brooks attacks Sumner
Preston Brooks (Andrew Butlers nephew who was criticized by southerners and singled out by Charles Sumner) marched into the senate and beat Sumner with a heavy cane until he fell down, bloody and unconscious to the floor. This led to sectional tensions because southerners felt sumner deserved what he got for abuse to another senator. Hundereds of people sent canes to Brooks to show support. Northerners felt the brutal act was more evidence that slavery led to violence. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scot was a slave who took his owner to court and tried to sue him for his freedom, because his owner had brought him into a free state but Scott lost the case. This lead to sectional tensions because Southerneres rejoyed becuase it meant slavery was leagal in all territories, and Northernerss held many public meetings and speeches in hopes slavery would die out in the south. -
Raid on Harpers' Ferry
The Raid on Harpers' Ferry was when John Brown led a group of anti-slavery campaigners to Harpers' Ferry and planned to raid a federal arsenal, then give all the weapons and lead them into a revolt. This lead to sectional tensions becuase Northerners thought John Brown became a hero because he was willing to give up his life for his beleifs. Southerners were unhappy because John Brown started a slave revolt, and were also convinced the north wanted to destroy slavery, taking the south with it -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was between Abraham Lincoln and George McCellan. The Southerners supported slavery and when Northerners refused, they split into parties (democrat and republican). This led to sectional tensions because southerners felt the election meant they no longer had a voice in national government. They felt the new president was now against their interests, especially slavery. Before lincoln was elected, South Carolina's governor said if lincoln won, they would leave the Union.
