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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an agreement in 1820. Missouri entered the Union as a slave state. With this, Manie became a free state to maintain the balance between the free and slave states. It also established a line to divide future territories into free and slave regions. The compromise aimed to maintain peace and stability in the United States. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal in 1846 to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. It was introduced by David Wilmot, a congressman from Pennsylvania. The proviso aimed to prevent the expansion of slavery into new areas. It sparked heated debates between the North and South. Thus, it intensified the tensions leading up to the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was an agreement made in 1850 to address the issue of slavery in the United States. It was a series of laws that aimed to maintain the balance between free and slave states. The compromise allowed California to enter the Union as a free state and created a harsh fugitive slave law. It also organized the territories of New Mexico and Utah without mention of slavery. The compromise temporarily eased tensions but failed to resolve the conflict between the North and South. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is a book by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It tells the story of a slave named Uncle Tom and the struggles he faces. The book made people aware of the harsh realities of slavery and helped to change public opinion. It was a significant factor in the abolitionist movement. Overall, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" played a crucial role in the fight against slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act passed in 1854, allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide on slavery. It repealed the Missouri Compromise, which banned slavery in those territories. The Act caused conflicts and violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas. It heightened tensions between the North and South, leading to the Civil War. The Act is considered a significant event on the road to the war. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a period of violent conflict in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. It was a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed the territory to decide on slavery. The conflict included attacks, raids, and even battles between the two factions. The violence in Kansas further intensified the tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. Bleeding Kansas is considered a precursor to the Civil War. -
The Lecompton Constitution
The Lecompton Constitution was a proposed constitution for Kansas in 1857 that aimed to protect slavery. However, it faced opposition from anti-slavery advocates who argued it didn't reflect the majority's will. The Constitution was put to a vote, but voting irregularities raised concerns about its legitimacy. It was rejected, and Kansas entered the Union as a free state in 1861. The Lecompton Constitution played a role in the ongoing tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. -
Scott v. Sanford
In Scott v. Sanford, Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man, sued for his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled against him, stating that enslaved people were property, not citizens, and couldn't sue in federal court. The Court also declared that Congress couldn't prohibit slavery in the territories, which furthered tensions between the North and South over slavery. This decision had a significant impact on the lead-up to the Civil War and was later overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown's Raid was a significant event that took place in 1859. John Brown, an abolitionist, led a group of men in an attempt to seize a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Their goal was to arm enslaved people and start a rebellion against slavery. However, the raid was unsuccessful, and Brown and his followers were captured. This event furthered tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. Ultimately, John Brown's Raid is seen as a precursor to the Civil War. -
Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 had four main candidates: Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. This group was very messy in terms of dealing with slavery and free-state/slave-state tensions. Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, won and became the 16th President. His victory led to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War. The election created a niche of conflict over slavery.