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Missouri Compromise.
The Northern and Sputhern politicians have heated debates over the growth of slavery. Henry Clay (the great compromiser) settled the debate. The Missouri compromise were a series of laws that helped maintain the balance between slave states and non slave states. -
Uncle Toms Cabin (nullification crisis)
Southern states felt like tariffs were unfair and only supported the north. Vice President John C. Calhoun said any state could nullify a federal law if they consider it unconstitutional.
The federal governement denied South Carolinas argument, and it threatened to secede.
Henry Clay came up with a compromise and lowered the tariff. -
Compromise of 1850
Congress had many debates as to wether the new territories won from Mexico would be admitted as slave states or free states.
Henry Clay once again came up with a compromise between North and South.
California would be admitted as a free state.
Congress would not pass banning the rest of the territories. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This Act was passed by Congress.It permitted the capture of African Americans who had fled to the north. radical measures were made, which then heightened tension. -
Bleeding Kansas
5000 people from nearby proslavery Missouri came and voted for proslavery representatives in Kansas illegally. Anti slavery opponents started their own government. The anti slavery government was attacked by proslavery forces. To avenge this attack, extreme abolitionist John Brown murdered several of his proslavery neighbors. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom. He argued that because he lived in a free territory that he should bee emancipated. To that, the court declared the following:
-Scott was not free based on his residence in neither Illinoins or Wisconsin.
-African Americans were not considered citizens when the Constitution was drafted in 1787.
-Dred Scott was the property of his owner, and could not be taken from a person without the process law. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
A man named John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for thei freedom, so he planned an attack on the government arsenal-Harpers Ferry, in order to arm the slaves.
He sent word for people (slaves) to join him, but none did.
It was a disaster; he and his men were captured, ten killed. And Brown was sentenced to death. -
Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln wins the election, despite his statements that he would do nothing to abolish the slavery in the south. Southern states begin to secede from the union shortly after Limcoln was elected
