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The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise attempted to settle the issue of the expansion of slavery. It said that slavery would be allowed under the 36° 30' line. Missouri, however, would be the only state allowed to have slavery above this line. It showed the growing sectionalism throughout the country. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty signaled the end to the War with Mexico. James K. Polk wanted to take New Mexico, California, and part of Texas for the United States. Northerners disliked the war because of the fear that the south was gaining land for more slave territories. -
Wilmot's Proviso
Congressman David Wilmot proposed a law that would ban slavery in land gained from Mexico. The law passed in the House of Representatives but was rejected by southern Senators, so it never became a law for fear that it would eventually lead to complete abolition throughout the country. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the Compromise of 1850 was the Fugitive Slave Act. This act encouraged slave owners to pursue run away slaves in the North. You could be punished if you didn't turn in a slave. This angered free Blacks because they could be accused of being a run-away slave. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and put forth the notion of popular sovereignty throughout the territiories. This meant that the people inside those territories would vote on whether they wanted to allow slavery or not. Stephen Douglass wasoneof the biggest supporters because he wanted the territories to organize quickly so that a transcontinental railroad could be built. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
"Bleeding Kansas" refers to the people who died over slavery in Kansas. Pro-slavery Missourians crossed the border to intimidate those who were looking to vote for a free state. Northerners brought rifles to settle the score. Hundreds of people died gaining the title of "Bleeding Kansas." -
Republican Party
Northern political party that believed in the restriction of slavery from all territries. This was basically a declaration of war to the Southerners. -
Breakdown of the Two-party System
Due to the emergence of the Republican Pary in the North and the Democratic party gaining interest in the South, the two-party system broke down. Normally, the two parties would compromise, but these two parties did not, signaling the end of the North and South working together. -
Congressman Preston Brooks Beats Senator Charles Sumner
Congressman Preston Brooks beats Senator Charles Sumner with a cane after Sumner insulted Brooks' uncle and the issue over slavery. This is significant because these people are supposed to be the "civilized" people and it increases the terrible relations between the North and the South. -
Dred Scott
During the Dred Scott case, the supreme court ruled that congrerss could not restrict slavery in any territory. This made the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act effictively nullified. This had to do with the fact that slaves were property. -
Uncle Tom's Cabiin
First published in 1851 but became a best seller in 1858. The novel gave Northerners a peak to what slavery was like in the South. The novel had a very profound impact on the North. Southerners bured the book and beat anyone caught possessing it. -
Lincoln's Debates with Douglass
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglass had heated debates over slavery. Lincoln argued that the United States couldnt continue as half slave and half free. His famous quote from the debate is " A house divided against itself cannot stand." Douglass argued for popular sovereignty. -
Attempted Slave Revolts.
John Brown was a northerner who tried to start a slave revolt in Harper's Ferry, Virgina. Although the slave revolt failed, it comfirmed the southern suspicion that northerners were trying to provide slaves with knives to slay their masters. -
1860 Presidential Election
The election was a national referendum on the extension of slavery. Lincoln, an anti-slavery Republican, won over Breckinridge, a pro-slavery souther Democrat. Due to the fact that the North had more people, Lincoln was able to prevail. This gave the south two options: either abandon the Union or face the destruction of slavery and every institution held dear to them. -
The Crittenden Compromise
This was a last ditch effort to save the Union based on returning to the Missouri Compromise except extend the 36° 30' line across America. The South agrees to the compromise, but the North rejects it. -
Secession
In februarty of 1861, 7 states seceded from the Union. Two months later, 4 more states seceded after the south attacked Fort Sumter to prevent it from being re-suplied. This essentially marked the start of the Civil War.
