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Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposed amendment in 1846 that sought to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. It was introduced by congressman David Wilmot and it aimed to prevent the expansion of slavery in new western territories. This proposed amendment was blocked by the Senate which intensified sectional divisions between the North and the South.
(The American Battlefield Trust)
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/wilmot-proviso -
The Mexican- American War
The Mexican-American was was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846-1848. It began after the US annexed Texas, leading to clashes over territory. The US declared war after a clash at the Rio Grande. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, where Mexico ceded large amount of land to the US for 15 million dollars. This expansion fueled US debates over slavery.
(The American Battlefield Trust)
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/mexican-war-overview -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that aimed to resolve tensions over slavery. It admitted California as a free state. Additionally, it creates Utah and New Mexico territory with popular sovereignty to decide on slavery and abolished the slave trade in Washington DC. It also enacted a stricter Fugitive Slave law which required that escaped slaves return. The compromise was meant to ease sectional conflicts but deepened divisions between North and South.
(American Battlefield Trust) -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published "Uncle Tom's Cabin", a novel depicting the harsh realties of slavery. It became a best seller in the north and influenced public opinion greatly while fueling the abolitionist movement. This angered the south as it exposed the injustices around slavery which intensified social tensions contributing to the rising conflict leading to the Civil War
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published -
Bleeding Kansas 1856
Bleeding Kansas refers to a period of violent conflicts in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. It took place between 1855 and 1859. This period was sparked by the Nebraska Act of 1854 which allowed popular sovereignty to decide the slavery issue. This turmoil heightened the deep national divisions over slavery and foreshadowed the civil war.
(The American Battle Trustfund)
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/bleeding-kansas -
The Pottawatomie Massacre
The Pottawatomie Massacre occurred in May 1856 when abolitionist John Brown and his followers killed five pro slavery settlers in Kansas. This act was performed because of the sacking of the anti-slavery town known as Lawrence. This massacre intensified the violent conflict in "Bleeding Kansas" and polarized the nation further on the issue of slavery which also contributed to the tensions leading to the civil war.
(Rein)
https://civilwaronthewesternborder.org/encyclopedia/pottawatomie-massacre -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott decision was a supreme court case where Chief Justice Taney ruled African Americans (slave and free), could not be US citizens and had no standing in federal court. Additionally, it declared the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional. This ruling intensified national divisions over slavery and propelled the nation towards civil war
(Ashcroft Missouri State Archives) -
Crittenden Compromise
The Crittenden Compromise was a last ditch effort to prevent the Civil War by proposing constitutional amendments. It aimed to extend the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific protecting slavery in the South and territories south of the line. Additionally, it put a safeguard on slavery where it already existed. Despite its good intention, the compromise failed to gain support and was not adopted American BattleField Trust
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/crittenden-compromise