-
Missouri Compromise
The northern and southern politicians have heated debates over the growth of slavery. Henry Clay, known as the Great Compromiser settles the debate. The Missouri Compromise were a series of laws that helped maintain the balance between slave state and free states. -
The Nullification Crisis
Southern states felt that the tariffs were unfair and only benefited the north. John C. Calhoun said any state could nullify a federal law that is unconstitutional. North Carolina threatened to secede when the federal government denied their argument. Then Henry Clay came up with a compromise and lowered the tariff. -
Compromise of 1850
Congress had many heated debates as to whether the new territories won from Mexico would be admitted slave or free states. Henry Clay helped make a compromise. California would be admitted as a free state and congress would not pass laws banning slavery from the rest of the territories. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850 by the Congress. The act permitted the capture of African Americans who had fled the north to escape bondage. These laws heightened tension, and set the stage for Jon Brown's Raid and the American Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas
5000 people from proslavery Missouri came and voted for proslavery representatives in Kansas illegally. Antislavery opponents started their own government but they were attacked by proslavery forces. To avenge this attack, extreme abolitionist John Brown murderent several of his proslavery neighbors. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave that sued to be free because he lived in a free territory. The court decided that he was not free and he was the property of his owner, and property couldn't be taken without due process of law. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom. He planned to capture the arsenal at the base in Harpers Ferry, Virginia to arm the slaves. Brown was captured after sending a word to rally the slaves for a fight. Abolitionists saluted John Brown as he was put to death, the issue of slavery had raised tensions in America to the breaking point. -
The Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln wins the election, but southerners do not trust him, so they begin to secede from the Union shortly after.
