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The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War added huge lands to the U.S., but it caused fights over whether slavery would spread to these areas. President Polk pushed for the war to expand the country, and after the U.S. won, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave the U.S. much of the Southwest. This victory, however, worsened tensions between the North and South, as both sides argued over slavery in the new territories. These disputes moved the nation closer to civil war. -
Election of Zachary Taylor
The Election was important because it raised big questions about what to do with slavery in new territories gained from the Mexican-American War. Taylor, a Whig, and a slaveowner, believed new territories should decide on slavery for themselves, which worried many in the North. They feared this would lead to more slave states, while the South hoped for more land where slavery could expand. This tension over slavery's spread added to the growing conflict between North and South (Varon, 18-20) -
Compromise of 1850
A set of laws made to try to keep peace between the North and South over slavery. California was allowed to join the U.S. as a free state, which upset the balance of free and slave states. The Fugitive Slave Act was made stronger, forcing Northern states to return escaped slaves. It also let the people in Utah and New Mexico decide for themselves whether they wanted slavery. This helped avoid conflict for a while but made many Northerners angry, especially because of the stricter slave law. -
Publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
The novel depicted the harsh realities of slavery and brought them to light for many Northerners who had been unaware or indifferent. Its emotional story of the kind, loyal slave Uncle Tom struck a chord with readers and helped ignite the abolitionist movement. The book made slavery a more urgent issue in the North and deepened the divide between the North and South. This is important because it played a major role in turning public opinion against slavery.
(McPherson, 101) -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty. This led to violent clashes between pro-slavery "Border Ruffians" and anti-slavery "Free-Soilers," resulting in the period known as "Bleeding Kansas." The violence highlighted the deepening divide over slavery and showed that compromises couldn't resolve the issue, fueling tensions that led to the Civil War. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
A period of violent fighting in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. This happened because the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed people in those areas to vote on whether to allow slavery. The violence, including attacks and killings, showed that letting people vote on slavery didn’t work and made the problem worse. This struggle showed how divided the country was over slavery and set the stage for the Civil War.
(McPherson, 126-130) -
Lecompton Constitution
A pro-slavery proposal for Kansas that aimed to make it a slave state. It was created by pro-slavery forces without fair representation from anti-slavery settlers, leading to accusations of illegitimacy. When submitted for approval, it was met with strong opposition and was ultimately rejected by Congress. This conflict over the constitution deepened sectional divisions, increasing tensions between North and South. This is significant as it exposed deep divisions over slavery. (McPherson, 143) -
Panic of 1857
An economic crisis caused by bank failures, the collapse of businesses, and a downturn in trade. It began when the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company went bankrupt and quickly spread. The North was hit hardest because it relied on manufacturing and trade, while the South was less affected due to its reliance on agriculture. This event deepened the divide between North and South, as Southern leaders felt more secure in their economic system and believed their way of life was best.
(Hyman, 187) -
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas during their race for the Illinois Senate seat. The debates focused on the future of slavery in the U.S., with Douglas defending popular sovereignty and Lincoln arguing against the expansion of slavery. These debates brought Lincoln national attention and made him a key figure in the fight against slavery's spread, setting the stage for his 1860 presidential run.
(Varon, 160-165) -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
The Election of Abraham Lincoln was a major turning point as he won the presidency without any support from Southern states. His election worried the South, which felt they would lose control over slavery. This fear led Southern states to secede from the Union, starting with South Carolina. They formed the Confederate States of America, leading to a deep national divide. This set the stage for the Civil War, as the country was now on the brink of open conflict over slavery and state rights.