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The Nullification Crisis
Southern states did not like tariffs because they thought they benefited the north. Then vise president John C. Calhoun said any state could nullify a federal law they found unconstitutional. South Carolina threatened to secede but then Henry Clay came with a compromise that lowered the tariffs. -
Compromise of 1850
The Congress did not know if the new territories won from Mexico should be slave states or free states, this caused many heated debates. California was admitted as a free state but Congress would not pass laws banning slavery from the rest of the territories. -
Fugitive Slave Act
In 1850 the Congress passed the Fugitive Slave act, which permitted capturing African-Americans who left the south to escape bondage. -
Bleeding Kansas
Some 5000 people from Missouri who wanted slavery, illegally voted to have slavery in Kansas. Leading anti-slavery people to start their own government, then they were attacked by proslavery people. As a result major abolishionist, John Brown murdered many of the proslavery members. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott sued for his freedom because he lived in a free territory that was not emancipated. The court declared that Scott was not free based on his housing in Illinois or Wisconsin, African Americans were not considered citizens when the Constitution was drafted, and that Dred Scott was the property of his owner and property could not be taken from a person without due process. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom, and bring slaves weapons. Brown and his men were captured and abolitionists saluted John Brown' as he was put to his death. -
The Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United states. As a result, southerners begin to secede from the Union.
