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The Compromises of the US
In the US, there were many things that were dividing the Union. Mostly issues about slavery. The US government tried to resolve the issues with compromises, but these compromises mostly led to more issues. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise helped solve an unbalance by admitting Missouri as a slave state and the admittance of Maine as a free state. It drew a line at 36*30' latitude. Slavery was permitted south of this line, but not north of it. The Gag Rule was established, which put all questions of slavery aside. This only led to divide. Southerners resented the Abolitionist's refusal to be quiet about slavery, and Northerners still continued to attack slavery in writing and speeches. -
The Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay addressed the issue of California first in his compromise. He admitted it to the union as a free state, but appeased to the southerners by allowing them to do what they wish with the Utah and New Mexico territories. The compromise is accepted, and tempers frayed, but cause for divide is still there. Southerners wanted peaceful secession, and Northerners continued to attack slavery. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen Douglas printed a Bill known as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This bill created the new territories known as Kansas and Nebraska. There was a vote by popular sovereignty on whether or not to permit slavery in the two territories. This brought the countries even closer to war when northerners saw that Slavery would flourish there. -
The Dread Scott Decision
Chief Justice Taney delivered the Dred Scott Decision, and it was huge. First, it was stated that Roger Taney could not sue because he was not a citizen. Secondly, it Stated that he could not become a citizen, because he was African American. Taney declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. -
The Election of 1860
Democrats split into North and South factions. The south wanted John C. Beckenridge, and the North wanted Stephen Douglas. A new Union party nominated John Bell. Because of this, Lincoln sailed to victory. This made the south afraid the country would try to abolish slavery, and made them want to push away even further. -
Attack on Fort Sumpter
The first event in the civil war was the cannonfire on fort sumpter. after 33 hours of bombing, the defenders surrendered. The Word spread that the south betrayed the Union, and made the country patriotically furious.
