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The Missouri Compromise of 1820
With the increasing support from abolitionists in America, they became concerned about how much slavery was taking over the nation as we were expanding westward. Northern and southern politician began a debate that ended up quite heated over the growth of slavery. Henry clay, a man that was known for the compromises he came up with, settled the debate by admitting Maine as a free state, and Arkansas was to be a slave state. The Compromise consisted of a series of laws to help keep peace. -
The Compromise of 1850
After having a war with Mexico, congress debates became quite heated to figure out if the new territories American won from Mexico were to become free or slave states. A man named Henry Clay, comes to the rescue and presents a compromise between the north and south, stating that California was to be admitted as free, and slave trading was officially banned in Washington D. Additionally, congress could not pass laws banning slavery for the rest of the other un-admitted states. -
One of the most disgusting laws made by the gov't..
Congress passed a law on September 18th, 1850, Named the Fugitive Slave Act. This law allowed the capture of African Americans who had escaped their way to the north. If you don't know already, travelling up north as a slave was a very risky and life-threatening task. The law increased the tension between the north and south, and opened up John Brown's attack, then followed by The Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas
Before Kansas was to join the Union, an election took place for an official state legislature. 5000 citizens gathered, mostly consisted of people from the proslavery state, Missouri. This group ILLEGALLY voted for proslavery representatives in Kansas. On the other-hand, Anti-slavery groups began to create a government of their own, and was attacked later by pro-slavery forces. in response, John Brown was to avenge the Anti-slavery group by murdering several of his neighbors who were for slavery. -
Dred Scott and his decision
Dred Scott, A slave unlike any other, stood up against the slave owner and sued his way to freedom. Although he tried to win in court, he wasn't allowed rights. A major disadvantage that caused him the loss from the start. Additionally, African American's weren't thought of as "Citizens" when the Constitution was drafted during 1787. -
Attacking the Harpers Ferry
Wanting to inspire slaves to fight their way for freedom, John Brown planned to take over the arsenal in Harper's Ferry, an army base found in Virginia, giving the slaves firearms to fight back and rebel. -
The Election of 1860
During 1860, an election took place that Abraham Lincoln won. Although his statement said he wasn't going to mess with slavery in the south, the southerners became suspicious and couldn't find him trustworthy. -
The Nullification Crisis of 1832
by passing tariff laws in 1828 and 1832, the states from the south felt that tariffs were unfair and ONLY supported the north. John C. Calhoun, Vice President during that time, spoke up and said: "any state could nullify a federal law it considers unconstitutional." As soon as the federal Gov't denied south Carolina's arguement about whether they had the right to reject the federal law, South Carolina threatened to secede. Then, Henry Clay talks about a compromise, and lowered the tariff.
