-
Missouri Compromise
Missouri was requesting statehood and the consensus of the territory was to become a slave state. To allow for Missouri to reach statehood, Henry Clay proposed accepting Missouri as a slave state but also adding Maine as a free state. Any states higher than 36º 30' parallel were forbidden to be slave states in the future as well. -
American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded by William Lloyd Garrison and Arthur Tappan. This organization argued against slavery by using speeches, newspapers, and passing resolutions. An important part of the Abolitionist Movement. -
Period: to
Politics before Civil War
-
Sectionalism of the Union
The South and the North became more separated as the major issues of the era became more prominent. The South was increasingly fighting to protect slavery as the North believed the opposite way. -
Compromise of 1850
In a attempt to prevent major disagreements in adding California as a free state, the Compromise of 1850 was created by Henry Clay. Texas gave up territory because the congress would assume 10 million dollars of debt and the New Mexico and Utah territories were created. These two territories had the right to chose slavery by popular sovereignty. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This act was part of the Compromise of 1850. It stated that slaves were required to be returned to their owners even if they are in a free state. The federal government was required to help with obtaining and returning runaway slaves. -
Whig Party Dissolving
The Whig party was one of the main political parties from the 1830's until the 1850's. It was dissolved in 1854 due to the sectionalism of the nation. The northern Whigs were increasingly against slavery as the southern ones still depended upon and defended it. Majority of the Northern Whigs became part of the Republican party while the southern Whigs joined the Democrats. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act split the unorganized territory west of the country into two territories. These territories had the power to chose by popular sovereignty whether to be a slave state or not. This bill was proposed by Stephen Douglas. -
"The Crime Against Kansas," and Sumner's Caning
Charles Sumner, an abolitionist, gave a bitter two day speech about the violence in Kansas and the issue of slavery. He also insulted southern slave holder including Senator Butler. In response to Sumner's speech, Preston Brooks hit Sumner repeatedly with his cane on the senate floor. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott and his wife Harriet went on trial multiple times trying to gain their freedom. They believed that because they lived in a free state they should also be free. Roger Taney of the Supreme Court ruled that blacks were not citizens and that congress had no right to prevent the spread of slavery. -
Lincoln's Election
Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 with primary votes from the North. His election split the nation more, but his future actions are what kept the union together.
