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Missouri Compromise
Was made by Henry Klay of Kentucky on March 3rd, 1820. Tried to keep both side happy. Did not succeed. Gave up Missouri as a Slave State, while Maine was free. Banned everything of slavery north of 36,30 degrees. South resented the ban that kept territories from slavery. Politicians were called traitors who agreed that Missouri go in as a slave state. -
Compromise of 1850
Was drafted up by both Daniel Webster and Henry Klay. This compromise was based upon the issue of adding the state of CA into the Union. CA was a free state, but Utah and NM could choose. Ended slave auctions in D.C, but slavery was not banned. Also, produced Fugitive Slave Act. This entitled slave catchers to re-obtain slaves. North did not want to enforce act. South didn't think enough was done to ensure property. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Was drafted by Stephen Douglas May 30th, 1854. Was essentially a policy on popular sovereignty. North hated the fact that there would be slavery all across the plains. It also abolished the Missouri Compromise. North wasn't convinced when Douglas tried to calm them. Border Ruffians and people who were on either side were in towns. Fights broke out. Riots in towns, printing presses destroyed. Two governments. John Brown kills several. Kansas was in turmoil. -
Dred Scott Decision
First off, there is no exact date of the D.S. decision. This happened after a slave went to Wisconsin, and argued that his stay in free territory made him free. Chief Justice Taney was outnumbered in a vote 4/5. Court came to decision, said african americans weren't citizens, or could be one. He also said Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional, therefore he was not free. Many northerners were enraged. Abraham Lincoln talked about this in his debate as immoral. John Brown raided Harper's Ferry. -
The Election of 1860 and Secession
Lincoln won but in an odd way. He was backed by the North. However in most southerns states he wasn't even on the ballot. In any case he won, and for the South it meant that they were the minority. They feared that congress would someday abolish slavery which was their way of life. Sooner rather than later the south seceded from the Union.
