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Missourri Comprimise
The compromise that kept the balance of power in the senate between the free and slave state. It admitted Missouri as a slave state, and Maine as a free state. It also banned the expansion of slavery into territories north of Missouri’s southern border. (36', 30') -
Wilmot Proviso
A bill that would outlaw slavery in any territory the U.S. might acquire from the war with Mexico. Slave holders believed the bill was unconstitutional, and that congress could not prevent them from bringing slaves into any territory. The bill never passed the senate. -
The Compromise of 1850
Law passed in 1850 by Stephen A. Douglass. It admitted California as a free state and abolished the slave trade in Washington D.C. Congress could also not pass laws regarding the territories won from Mexico. The final part of the law passed the Fugitive Slave Act that helped slaveholders recapture runaway slaves. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
A book published by Harriet Beecher Stowe that portrayed slavery as immoral and brutal. It brought the issue of slavery to the north and changed many people's opinions on slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
A series of Laws in 1854 that organized the Nebraska territory into two separate states, Kansas and Nebraska. These territories would be allowed to decide whether to allow or ban slavery under the new idea of popular sovereignty. This law was met with much controversy because it would potentially allow slavery to expand into territories were it was previously banned. Nebraska chooses to go free, but a small war would start in Kansas on whether to be free or slave. (Bleeding Kansas) -
Sack of Lawrence
An attack on the town of Lawrence Kansas led by Pro-slavery forces that destroyed the town. This attack angered many Americans and prompted a counter attack by anti-slavery extremist John Brown. -
Pottawatamie Massacre
John brown attacks and kills 5 of his proslavery neighbors. After this Brown would move south to Harpers Ferry Virginia where he would attempt to capture the federal arsenal and lead a slave revolt. This attempt would fail miserably, resulting in Brown being captured and hung. -
Dred Scott V. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave who tried to sue for his freedom after his master took him to territories where slavery was outlawed. This case would make its way through the federal court system until it reached the Supreme Court. The final ruling on the case was that Scott was not a U.S. citizen and therefore he could not sue in U.S. courts. Also said that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because the 5th Amendment protected people’s right to property and therefore the slaves could be taken -
The Election Of 1860
There would be 4 delegates running for election. Abraham Lincoln for the republicans, Stephen A. Douglas for the northern democrats, John Breckenridge for the southern democrats, and John Bell for the Constitutional Union Party. The republicans wanted to stop slavery, the north wanted to promote popular sovereignty, the south wanted to promote slavery, and the constitution union wanted to preserve the union. Lincoln would win and take office. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina votes and decides to secede from the union. There was much controversy over whether they could secede or not. In the end they argued that they had chosen to join the union and they could choose to leave. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back and ultimately led to the civil war.