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Missouri Compromise Pt.1
The Missouri Compromise, proposed by Henry Clay, was meant to ease tensions over slavery in new states. In 1819, Missouri applied for statehood as a slave state, which upset northerners because it would upset the balance of slave states and free states in the government. At the time, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states, so this caused tensions. In 1820 the compromise was passed, and Missouri would now become a slave state and Maine would join as a free state to keep the balance. -
Missouri Compromise Pt.2
The compromise affected sectionalism and secession by setting the stage for future complications. It created a divide between the North and South on the issue of slavery, as the South supported it and the North opposed it. The 36°30’ line also created a geographical divide, further contributing to sectionalism. While the Compromise temporarily reduced tensions, it did not stick and the south's seceded due to conflicts over their economic interests with the north. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was a law passed in 1850 as part of the compromise of 1850. This law made it so runaway slaves would have to be returned to their owners in slave states even if they had made it to free states. The goal of this act was to decrease tensions between the north and the south. (Slave states vs free states.) There were penalties as well, given to anyone aiding runaway slaves or refusing to help in the capture. This act led to the underground railroad and many northerns angry. -
Fugitive Slave Act Pt.2
Many northerners became upset because many felt they were participating in slavery, which they were opposed to. The act led to sectionalism and succession because it contributed to tensions between the north and south over slavery and contributed to abolitionists feeling even more against slavery and the south, making war even more inevitable. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and published in 1852. This book is about a slave named Uncle Tom and his life as a slave. The goal of the book was to show the evilness of slavery, and the opposition Harriet had to it. This book caused much controversy, as it showcased all the terrible things involving slavery. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Pt.2
It contributed to sectionalism and secession because it caused tensions, because the south was angry that the book was causing strong negative reactions towards them and slavery. As well as the north was angry because they were mainly abolitionist. It was a pivotal movement in increasing the emotions of the Americans, which contributed to the war. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska act was a piece of legislation passed in 1854. This act established Kansas and Nebraska as states, above the 36°30 line, which had perviously been only permitted to free states, meaning no slavery. This act gave these two states popular sovereignty meaning they could decide by voting in their state whether they had slavery or not. This upset the north extremely because it essentially got rid of the Missouri Compromise which was supposed to keep the peace. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act Pt.2
This act also led to the downfall of the Whig party and the uprise of the Republican party. Thus act was linked to many future contributors to the civil war, like Dred Scott vs. Sandford and Bleeding Kansas. This act contributed to sectionalism and secession because it increased tensions because of the North being extremely aggravated, and the leading to many attacks like bleeding Kansas which ultimately led to the civil war and the southern states seceding. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott vs. Sanford, was a court case in 1857 that became a leading factor contributing to the civil war. Dred Scott was a slave who had been living in free states with his owner for some time. After his owner died, Sanford obtained him as a slave. Scott sued Sanford because he said he should be a free because he had been living in free states. Thw case was brought to the federal court. They ruled 7-2 against Scott, saying he cannot sue in federal court as a slave and not a citizen. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
This ruling upset many, the North were opposed because they felt it helped the pro-slavery states, and the south were not upset with the ruling because the expansion of slavery was helpful to their economics. This caused political fallout, and made the sectional divide between the states a lot larger, which was why it is known to be a large factor in the start of the Civil war. -
John Brown's Raid On Harpers Ferry
John Brown's Raid On Harpers Ferry was an leading contributor to the Civil War. John Brown was an abolitionist, who believed that violent action was needed to end slavery. So he planned a raid on the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. On October 16th, 21 men stormed the arsenal with a goal to take the weapons, and start a slave rebellion. Not long after, federal troops came and dismantled the rebellion. Brown (and others) was tried and executed. -
John Brown's Raid On Harpers Ferry
Many people from the North found Brown and his actions to be courageous and he did what had to be done. While others felt a bit wary about it and felt it was a bit extreme. The Southerners were extremely against Brown, they were scared, and increased measures to decrease any abolitionist activity in their states. The raid highlighted the sectional divide between the states, and it showed that the two sides wouldn't be able to come to a conclusion, increasing the contribution to secession. -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was avery important one. Abraham Lincoln won the election, as a Republican. The southerners were not in favor. They felt that Lincoln was a threat to slavery which was very important to them. So right before he was inaugurated many southern states succeeded. The northerners were not opposed and supported Lincolns ideals. This divide of the states in their battle of slavery was unable to be negotiated, Lincoln being elected was essentially the start of the war.