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The Compromise of 1850 including the Fugitive Slave Act
The compromise of 1850 began as California sought entry into the Union as a free state, upsetting the pro-slavery south as this changed the balance of free and slave states. Then, in 1850, Henry Clay tried to avoid conflict between the north and south by seeking a compromise between them.In the end, California entered the Union and a territorial government was created in Utah and New Mexico.The fugitive slave act required slaves to be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Senator Stephen A. Douglas, helped to repeal the Missouri compromise, and allowed for more territory to be created. However, this act did not succeed due to the division of pro and anti-slavery groups in America. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a multitude of violent disruptions in Kansas. This was due to both sides of the slavery debate entering Kansas with the intention of swaying the vote. This was incredibly important because it altered politics of the time and increased tension that would attribute to the civil war. -
Preston Brooks v. Charles Sumner
Due to conflict over the decision between Kansas being declared a free or slave state, a member of the House of Representatives, Preston Brooks, entered the Senate Chamber and beat a senator, Charles Sumner, until he was no longer conscious. This contributed the the division among Americans and the tension that would lead to the civil war. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
This was a decision made by the Supreme Court, in which held that the U.S constitution would not extend U.S citizenship to African Americans. This further divided the United States. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
This was a compilation of 7 debates total, in which Douglas accused Lincoln of being an abolitionist. Then, Lincoln accused Douglas of wanting to nationalize slavery. The most important topics were on how to deal with slavery and the debate on where slavery should be allowed. -
John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry
This was an important effort made by John Brown in order to ignite a slave revolt in the Southern slave states. However, 16 people were killed in the process, 10 of which were Browns men. This made the issue of slavery into a national debate, shining spotlight on the debate. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln won the election with less than 40 percent of the popular vote. He did so by carrying states above the Mason-Dixon Line and the North Ohio River. He did not continue one slave state, and his biggest goal was to preserve the nation