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Missouri Compromise
This law kept the number of free and slave states equal by adding Missouri (slave) and Maine (free). It delayed fights over slavery but didn’t solve the problem. -
Nat Turner’s Rebellion
A slave named Nat Turner led a violent rebellion in Virginia. The South made stricter laws against slaves, and the North talked more about ending slavery. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This law made people return escaped slaves, even in free states. Many in the North were angry and helped slaves escape anyway. -
Compromise of 1850
This deal allowed California to be free but let other states decide on slavery. It made both sides unhappy and increased tensions. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
This book showed how cruel slavery was. It made many Northerners want to end slavery, but the South was angry. -
Bleeding Kansas
People in Kansas fought over whether it should allow slavery. It showed how violent the argument over slavery had become. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This law let people in Kansas and Nebraska decide on slavery. It led to fighting and made the North and South hate each other more. -
Brooks attacks Sumner
A Southern congressman beat a Northern senator with a cane after an anti-slavery speech. It showed how angry people were about slavery. -
Dred Scott Case
The Supreme Court said Black people weren’t citizens and slavery could spread anywhere. The North was furious, and the South felt stronger. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Lincoln and Douglas debated about slavery. Lincoln became famous, and the South started to fear he would end slavery. -
Raid on Harper’s Ferry
John Brown tried to start a slave rebellion by attacking an armory. He failed, but the South thought the North wanted to destroy slavery by force. -
Lincoln is Elected President
Lincoln won the election without any Southern votes. The South saw this as a threat and started leaving the U.S.