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Wilmot Proviso
The bill is aimed to outlaw slavery in territories taken from Mexico. The bill passed in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate thus causing a division in Congress. Although not a success it led to the formation of the Free Soil Party. -
Compromise of 1850
The congress divided on the issue of California becoming a state. Senator Henry Clay proposed two things to compromise to both the wishes of the North and the South. California would be admitted as a free state and slave trade would be abolished in Washington, D.C., and Congress would not pass laws regarding slavery in territories acclaimed from the war with Mexico. This was thought to be the solution, but not for long. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephan A. Douglas drafted a bill for governing the Nebraska Territories. It was split into two territories: Nebraska and Kansas. Slavery was to be decided by popular sovereignty. This allowed vote for slavery in areas where the Missouri Compromise had banned it. The South supports the bill, and it becomes a law. -
Bleeding Kansas
Proslavery and antislavery settlers rush into Kansas Territory to vote for territorial legislation. There were more proslavery settlers than antislavery settlers, but they did not want to risk losing. 5,000 Missourians come in and vote illegally so the official Kansas legislature's majority is proslavery. Antislavery settlers end up boycotting the official government and form their own system. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri. He sued for his freedom because he had been taken to live in territories where slavery was illegal. Scott sues for his freedom and his case reaches the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court rules against Scott becuase Scott is not a U.S. citizen meaning he isn't allowed t sue the U.S. courts. Also he is bound by Missouri slave code becuase he lived in Missouri. -
Lincoln and Douglas Debate
Abraham Lincoln, an Illinois Republican challenged Stephen A. Douglas for his U.S. Senate seat. They hold a formal debate across Illinois about one of the nation's most pressing issues: the expansion of slavery. Lincoln argues the Northerners' fear that the Southerners wanted to expand slavery to the entire nation. Douglas stated popular sovrreignty was the best way to address the issue because it was the most democratic method to do so. Douglas wins the reelection but Lincoln becomes nationally -
LD cont'd
known figure. Also, a form of public speaking is born known as Lincoln-Douglas debate. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown, who murdered proslavery Kansans before, added to the sectional tension. Brown had a plan to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom. To do this, he planned to capture the weapons in the U.S arsinal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. But the slaves did not show up and killed four people in the raid. The U.S. Marines attacked Brown and some escaped while Brown and six others were arrested. Both sides reacted differently. -
The Election of 1860
Lincoln won the Election of 1860 because he received the most electoral votes. As a result of this election, South Carolina and the 6 other southern states decide to secede from the Union. Soon after they form the Confederate States of America. The outcome of the election makes it clear that the nation was tired of compromises.