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Missouri Compromise
With the increase of support of abolition in America, people grew concerned with he growth of slavery as America moves out west. The northern and southern politicians have many arguments over he increase of slavery.
Henry Clay, The great Compromiser, settles the argument by saying that Maine would be admitted as a free state and Arkansas would be open to slavery.
The Missouri Compromise were a series of laws that helped maintain the balance between slave and free states -
The nullification Crisis
Due to the tarrif laws of 1828 & 1832 the south believed that the tariffs were only in favor of the north.
The Vice President at the time was John. C. Calhoun and he stated that any state can void a federal law they believe is unconstitutional.
However the federal government denied South Carolina's arguemnet and they threatened to secede and become their own country.
Henry clay who was an excellent compromiser at the time came up with an idea that lowered tarrifs. -
Compromise of 1850
After the U.S Mexican war, congresss had many arguments converning the new states won from Mexico, whether they would be free or slave states.
Henry clay the great compromiser, made an idea that benefited both the north and south.
The idea was California would be a slave state and Washington D.C would no longer be a part of the slave trade.
Secondly congress would not be able to pass slavery banning laws from the rest of the territories won from mexico -
Fugitive slave act of 1850
The fugitive slave act of 1850 was passed by congress. This permitted the capture of African Americans that had fled to the north to escape bondage. This convinced many abolitionists that radical measures needed to be taken to end slavery. These laws heightened tension and are the leading reason for john browns raid and the civil war. -
Bleeding Kansas 1855
Before Kansas was supposed to enter the union there was an election of an official state legislature. 5000 people from local pro slavery Missouri came to support pro slavery representatives by voting for them illegally.
As a result Kansas had a pro slavery legislature.
Anti-Slavery opponents started their own government.
The anti-Slavery government was stacked by pro slavery forces.
To get revenge due to he attack, extreme abolitionist John Brown murdered several of his pro slavery opponents -
Dred scott decision
Dred Scott was a slave that sued for his freedom. His argument was that he lived in a free territory, and he should have been considered free. The court declared that he was not free based on where he was situated. African Americans were not considered citizens due to the constitution in 1787. Dred scott was property of his owner and he could not be taken away without due process of law. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John brown hoped to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom. He planned to take possession of the arms in the arsenal of Virginian to arm the slaves.
Brown attempted to rally the slaves to join him, but no one came.
Brown along with his men were captured and killed.
Abolishinists in the support of John Brown saluted him as he was sentenced to death -
Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln won the election, even though he claimed he will not abolish slavery in the south, the southerners did not trust him.
Many states in the south tried to secede after Lincoln was elected.
