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Missouri Compromise
The northern and Southern politicians have heated debates over the growth of slavery. The Great Compromiser, Henry Clay, settles the debates. The Missouri Compromise were a series of laws that helped maintain the balance between slave states and free states. -
The Nullification Crisis
Southern states felt that tariffs were unfair and only supported the North. Vice President John C. Calhoun said any states could nullify anfederal law it considers unconstitutional. The federal government denied South Carolina's argument. South Carolina threatened to secede. Henry Clay came up with a compromise and lowered the tariff. -
Compromise of 1850
Congress had many heated debates on whether the new territories won from Mexico would be admitted as slave states or free states. Henry Clay helped make a Compromise. California would be admitted as a free state. 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 fled to the north to escape bondage. These laws heightened tension, and set the stage for John Brown's raid and the American civil war. -
Bleeding Kanas
5000 people from a 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 abolitionists John Brown murdered several of his proslavery neighbors. -
Drew Scott Decision
Dred Scott sued for freedom. He argued that because he lived in a free territory that he should have been emancipated. The court ruled and declared that Scott was not free based on his residence in either Illinois or Wisconsin. Also, African Americans were not considered citizens when the Constitution was drafted in 1787. Lastly, Dred Scott was the property of his owner, and property could not be taken from a person without due process of law. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom. To capture the arsenal in Virginia to arm the slaves. Brown and his men were captured. Abolitionists saluted 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. Southern states begin to secede from the Union shortly after Lincoln is elected.
