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Conflicts
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California Requests to be Free State
In 1849, California requested to enter the United States as a free state. Entering California as a free state would alter the balance between free and slave states. This caused controversy between the two groups. -
Compromose of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was passed to deal with rising issues of slavery. The compromise ended slave trade in Washington D.C., entered California as a free state, and a territorial government was set up in Utah. Also an act was passed that settled a boundary dispute between Texas and New Mexico. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed as a part of the Compromise of 1850. This act enforced laws that required runaway slaves to be returned to their masters. Even some free blacks were considered to be runaways and sent back south. This act angered many northerners and increased the use of the underground railroad. -
Release of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist. The book was written to show the evils of slavery that occurred in the south. It was a best seller of its time and had a great impact on northerners opinions on slavery. It also helped further the cause of abolition. -
Bleeding Kansas
In 1854 the Kansas -Nebraska Act was passed, allowing settlers in the territory to decide whether or not to be a free or slave state. Those who came from the North were against slavery while Southerners wanted to be able to bring their slaves with to the new land. This difference in opinion sparked a series of bloody and violent battles between the two groups. These acts of violence became known as Bleeding Kansas. -
Charles Sumner is attacked
After the violence in Kansas, Senator Sumner gave a speech the the Senate about " the crime against Kansas" and attacked pro-slavery. During this speech he insulted the cousin of Preston Brooks. In oreder to defend his cousins honor, Brooks proceeded to approach Sumner and beat him over the head with his cane. Brooks was seen as a hero in the South but vilified in the North. -
Lecompton Constitution Rejected
When the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed, Kansas was allowed to determine whether it would enter the union as free or slave. In 1857, the Lecompton Constitution was created allowing for Kansas to be a slave state. However, there was enough opposition that in 1858 it was sent back to Kansas for a vote. Even though it delayed statehood, Kansas voters rejected the Constitution and Kansas became a free state. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was made when Dred Scott attempted to sue for freedom. The case made it al the way to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice, Roger Taney ruled that Africans, free or enslaved, never could be American citizens, therefore had no standing in court. This ruling angered many anti-slavery Northerners. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown, an abolitionist, led a group of suporters to Harpers Ferry. Brown and his men captured a federal arsenal, in hopes that local slaves would join the raid to help supply weapons to slaves and spark a slave uprising. This was not the case, as he recived no support and was captured. He was tried for treason, and executed as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. Southerners began to militarize in preparation for future raids. -
Election of Lincoln
After the Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln was elected president, South Carolina along with six other states seceded from the union. Even though his views on slavery were not too extreme, South Carolina warned they would secede if he won.
