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The Missouri Compromise
The northern and southern politicians has heated debates over the growth of slavery. Henry Clay states that Maine would be admitted as a free state, and Arkansas would be open to slavery. -
The Nullification Crisis
Southern states felt that the tariffs were unfair and that they only supported the north.Calhoun said that any state could nullify a federal law it considers unconstitutional. The government denied South Carolina's argument, and South Carolina threatened to secede. -
Compromise of 1850
Congress has many debates on whether or not the new states gained from Mexico would be free or slave states. They created a compromise that California would be added as a free state and that congress would not pass any laws banning slavery from the rest of the territories. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This act was passed by congress. It permitted the capture of African Americans who fled to the north to escape bondage. The act convinced many abolitionists that radical measures were necessary. The laws heightened tension. -
Bleeding Kansas
Before Kansas was going to enter the union, they hD to vote. 5000 people came from Missouri and voted for proslavery representatives illegally. As a result, Kansas had a proslavery legislature. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred was a slave who sued for freedom. He argued that because he lived in free territory that he should have been emancipated. The court declared that he was not free, that African Americans were not considered citizens, and that Dred Scott was the property of his owner. -
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown and his 5 sons raided an arsenal, hoping that slaves would join in on their fight. No slaves joined in though, and John and his sons were captured and killed. -
The Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln wins the election, but southerners do not trust him. Southern states begin to secede shortly after Lincoln is elected.
