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Wilmot Proviso
The bill aimed to outlaw slavery in territories taken from Mexico. The bill passed in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate causing a diverdion in Congress. Although, not a success it led to the formation of Free Soil Party. -
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Nation Breaking Apart
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Compromise of 1850
The Compromise aimed to please the North and the South over admitting California as a state. Senator Henry Clay proposed the Compromise of 1850. it pleased the North by admitting California as a free state and slave trade will be abolished in Washington DC. It pleases the South by stating that no laws would abolish slavery in territories won from Mexico and Congress will pass stronger laws to help slave holders recapture runaway slaves. People believed it would save the Union, but it didn't. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
Stephan A. Douglas drafts a bill for gverning the Nebraska Territory. the bill divdes the territoy into two territories; Nebraska and Kansas. Slavery was to be decided by residents' vote. The bill allows slavery in area where Missouri Compromise banned it. The South supports the bill and the bill becomes law. -
Bleeding Kansas
proslavery and antislavery settlers rush to Kansas to vote for territorial legislation. Missourians voted illegally. Antislavery settlers form their own government and boycott official government. a Proslavery mob attacks Lawrence, Kansas. Abolitionist John Brown retaliates and civil war breaks out in Kansas. The territory is called "Bleeding Kansas." -
Case of Dred Scott
Slave, Dred Scott, is taken from Missouri to territory where slavery is illegal and returns to Missouri. Scott sues for his freedom. The Supreme Court rules that Scott isn't allowed to sue because he isn't a U.S. citizen. Also, he is bound by Missouri's slave code because he lived in Missouri. This case resulted in allowing slavery to spread anywhere in the U.S. Furthermore, it denied the citizenship of free African Americans. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown attacked an arsenal at Harpers Ferry in hopes of rallying slaves to fight. However, his plan didn't work and he and his followers were executed. the Northerners praised Brown for his actions, but the South were angry at Brown. They were also furious with the Norths reaction to Brown's actions. -
Election of 1860
Abraham Lnicoln had support from the North and wins the election considering the North has many people. However, Southerners viewed Lincoln's victory as a threat to their way of life even though Lincoln told them that he didn't want to abolish slavery. -
Secession
South Carolina and six other states secede from the Union and together they form the Confederate States of America. They argue that they can willingly leave the Union because they willingly joined it. They created their own constitution and named Jefferson Davis president of the Confederation. the Confederation supports state's rights and protects slavery in confederacy and territories it might acquire.