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A Nation Dividing
Americans tried to keep the United States despite their deep divisions over slavery. They answer the most important question: can a free nation endure half-slavery and half-free. -
Missouri Compromise
This compromise is about the question wether Missouri will be a state, ans wether it is free or not. It was asking to enter statehood as a free state, slave-supports wanted it to be a slave state because it would give free states the advantage. They rather not risk a break up of the Union. Congress agreed to a compromise by a Representative from Kentucky, Henery Clay. Since Maine wanted enter in statehood as well, he said why not make one slave and one free. A line was drawn at 36°30' across -
Missouri Compromise
the Louisiana Territory. North of the line slavery was banned and South was permitted. It kept the Union together, but with many trust problems. Before the Compromise was met, many people spoke of a civil war, and the disolving of the Union. -
Compromise of 1850
Henery Clay came up with another idea to end this deadlock over California, but Clay needed Senator Daniel Websters support. Clay had an idea that could please everyone this time. California would be admitted to the Union, and New Mexico and Utah as open to slavery. His compromise ended the Washington D.C. slave trade. Slave owners could keep their slaves, but couldn't sell or buy in D.C. The comrpomise also demanded strong fugitive slave laws. There was many firey debates for 9 long months. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Southerners spoke of leaving Congress. Webster spoke of a war over slavery and sesseion. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Early in 1854, Sentator Stephen A. Douglas introduced a bill that angered many people. He wanted to build a railroad to California. Because this area laid north to the Missouri Compromise nothing of slavery was mentioned. Southener would only agree if a few chnages were made.His final bill made Kansas and Nebraska territories. He also said that people were allowed to choose if they wanted to own slaves. After it was passed much volence sprouted all over. Many people moved to the new territories -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
to just opposeor support slavery. Invaders looted homes burned down a hotel and tossed twp presses of abolishinists. -
The Dred Scott Deciscion
The Dred Scott case. Scott wanted to sue for his freedom, but a vote of 5to4 showed that he couldn't. They said he was still not an American citizen and therefore he could not sue. This was one of two "bombshells that were dropped. The second was dropped when his stay in Wisconson did not make him a freeman because the Missouri Compromise was stated unconstitusional.Cheif Justice Roger Taney said that slaves are property;they will stay that way unless proper due of law. It goes against the 5th. -
The Election of 1860
In 1860 an election had come. Republicans were with Lincoln and the Demcrats chose Stephen Douglas, and the Union party nominated John Bell. Lincoln won with 40% of the votes. Southerners feared a loss in slavery. There was talk of secssion and divison. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Lincolin became president on march 4 1861. He stated his belief on slavery and how he thought it was wrong. A month later people from Charleston opened fire on Fort Sumter, After onw=e day and a half of heavy fire, the fort surrendered. The compromise was over, but the war has just begun.
