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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a attempt to prevent the expansion of slavery into the new territory of the Louisiana Purchase. As a result, slavery was restricted above the 36/30 line, while everything south consisted of slave states. This compromis only served as temporary solution to the disagreements about slavery. -
War with Mexico
President James K. Polk, overcome by manifest distiny, wanted to take California, New Mexico, and part of Texas. Mexico's unwillingness to sell drove Polk to declare war, and once these new territories were conquered the question of slavery arose once again. The north believed the war was an attempt for the south to aquire mor slave territroy and were proven right when Polk signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; which provided new territory south of the 36/30 line to become slave territories. -
Wilmot's Proviso
Congressman David Wilmot proposed a law to ban slavery in all of the territory aquired from Mexico. Wilmot's Proviso, however, was blocked by southern senators who feared that as soon as Northeners gained control of the Senate slavery would be abolished, and with it their way of life. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act
Senator Douglas agreed to divide the Nebraske region into 2 territories: Nabraska and Kansas. From there the Kansas Nebraska Act was brought to attention and introduced the idea of popular sovereignty. The Missouri Compromise was repealed and the settler of the territories would decide for themselves to remain free or not. This decisoin divided both the democrat and whig parties, causing the formation of the Republican party. -
Beat Down of Sumner
Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts with his cane after Sumner gave a speach against slavery. Rather than showing remorse for the actions of their congressman, the South glorified Brooks' actions. Northerners were both disgusted and outraged. These were their most civilized leaders and this even spread uncertainty through out the U.S. -
Dred Scott
In 1857 the Supreme Court made a ruling that nullified the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This affirmed the North's fear that slave owners would try anything to legalize slavery everywhere. -
Harpers Ferry
John Brown (a white Northener) attempted a slave revolt at Harpers Ferry but failed. This confirmed the South's beliefs that the Northeners would gladly help Southern slaves revolt against their masters. This led the South to believe they could no longer live safely in the Union. -
Presidential Election
In the 1860 presidential election Abraham Lincoln was running for the Republican party while Breckinridge was running as a Democrat. The northern population led to the domination of the Republican party, leavin Lincoln as president. This struck fear in the South because the country was now being run by men against slavery. The South felt they had 2 choices; either leave the Union or be striped of their institution. -
Fort Sumter
President Lincoln sent 4 ships to resupply Fort Sumter, and let it be known that if the South tried to prevent it the North would attack. The South feard beign viewd as cowards for freely allowing the Union to run the fort and bombarded Fort Sumter for 2 days. This opened hostilities between North and South, and Lincoln called for volunteers, which made it clear he was prepared to fight to keep the South in the Union. -
Crittenden Compromise
The Crittenden Compromise was a final attempt to salvage the Union. It was similar to the previous Missouri Compromise by re-introducing the 36/30 line, with slavery forbidden north of it and preserved south of it. The South accepted it on the grounds that slave territory would expand, but the North rejected the compromise, and it failed.
