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President Polk initiates war with Mexico, as a result Mexicans are forced to relinquish the Rio Grande.
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Mexico was forced to relinquish its land. Rio Grande became Texas southernmost boundary.
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The Nebraska Act leads to war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery supporters.
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A Supreme Court decision determines that slaves were not U.S. citizens and declared that Congress had no authority to ban slavery.
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John Brown led an attack on federal arsenals in an attemp to instigate a rebellion of slaves. The southerners became increasingly hostile toward the north and abolitionist.
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The Civil War began as a result of political tensions, opposition to key issues and the formation of the Confederation.