-
Period: to
Politics Leading to the Civil War
-
Wilmont Proviso
This was designed after the US acquired territoty from Mexico after the Mexican American War. This prevented slavery in the new terriories. The North was all in favor of this while the south greatly opposed it, creating even more seperating between the two regions. It was blocked in the southern dominated senate, but its principles helped bring out the formation of the Republican party in 1854. -
End of Mexican War
The end of teh Mexican War caused debate off whether or not to permit slvaery in the new teritories, creating a greater gap between slaveholding states and nonslaveholding states. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 prevented further expanson of slavery and also strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act. This compromise was cmae to by Henry Clay and Stephan Douglas. Although this compromise prevented hostile events between the North and South, its componenets angered some people who held exteme views ot eh issues it covered. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
This law was passed which granted the states of Kansas and Nebraska popular sovereignty on the issue of slavery. This meant it was up to the people decide whether slavery was legal in these two states. This cause anti-slavery and pro-slavery supporters to flock to the state, hoping to shift the vote to their favored side. The combination of anti and pro slave supporters created growing tensions and eventually led to what is referred to as " Bleeding Kansas " -
Bleeding Kansas
This is thought of as the prelude to the Civil War. With anti and pro slavery groups rushing to Kansas tensions grew increasingly high. The two groups of people proved the country had a very serious problem on thier hands and that war was oncoming. -
Dred Scott Decision
In this Supremem Court case, the court's decision negated the doctrine of popular sovereignty in the western states. This made some citizens question the authority of the Supreme Court and the fairness of its decisions. -
James Henry Hammond
Hammond introducted his Mudsill Theory to Congress, saying here was always a need for a lower class to serve the higher class. This was his way of advocating for slavery. He also first used the term " Cotton King" in his address. -
Stephan Douglas
Stephan Douglas was a member of Congress and House of Representatives. When Abraham Lincoln ran for his seat in 1858, they had a series of 12 debates over the issue of slavery. Douglas supported the Kansas Nebraska Act. Douglas ended up winning the seat, but lost the race for the democratic presidential canidate to Lincoln. -
Lincoln's Election
Lincoln's election happened on the eve of the Civil War. Immediately following his election, South Carolina seceeded from the Union. This action was seen as offensive and an act of agression and power. This idea spread through the North and made many people feel as though South Carolina had finally lit the spark. -
Seccession
On December 20. 1860 South Carolina officially secceeded from the Union, making tensions higher and creating an official sepertation between the Union and the Confederate states. Six other states decided to follow including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas.
