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The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise had set the standard for future Louisiana territory when applying for statehood. The compromise had established Missouri as a slave state, while admitting Maine as a free state; to not disrupt the balance between both free and slave states throughout the US. This event was significant as it led to the beginning of the sectional conflict over the extension of slavery, leading up to the Civil War in 1861. -
Texas becomes independent from Mexico
Texas had belonged to Mexico after 1821, until the Mexican government had banned the importation of enslaved individual’s and the end of American settlement. Texas had then declared its independence in early 1836, which angered Mexico. This event is significant as the Texan revolution had led to the annexation of Texas, which outraged Mexico and was a reason for the Mexican-American War beginning in 1846. -
Prigg v. Pennsylvania
The Supreme Courts decision regarding Prigg v. Pennsylvania had declared federal law, to be superior over state law; but states are not required to enforce federal law. As Prigg v. Pennsylvania served as a reason for slave owners to declare a new Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, personal liberty laws had also been passed. This case is significant as it led to the creation of the Fugitive Slave Act, and that it harmed Pennsylvania's personal liberty law. -
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War had been a result of the annexation of Texas, Polk enhancing existing tensions between Texas and Mexico's dispute on their decision to claim the Rio Grande River as southwest boundary, and Texan revolution when owned by Mexico. Mexico had first ambushed a US unit, which Polk declared war as Mexico invaded their territory. This war is significant as it paved the way for the American Civil War and included new states as part of the US when expanding territory. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso had declared the ban of slavery and involuntary servitude occurring in any territory gained from Mexico; as a result of the Mexican-American War. The Proviso had raised questions in regard to slavery, free labor, and political power which had eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War. The Wilmot Proviso is significant as it allowed the North and South to fall upon sectional lines, and created tension between them upon divisions over the Proviso, although it had failed. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act had been apart of the Compromise of 1850, it had been demanded by slaveowners who thought Personal Liberty Laws were undermining their constitutional right to have slaves returned to them. Slaveowners believed a new Fugitive Slave Act was necessary after the Supreme Courts judgement regarding Prigg. v Pennsylvania. This act was important as it created tension between the North and South, after abolitionists learned the federal government was allowing slavery. -
Christiana Riot
Many acts of resistance were made to go against the policies passed by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Christina Riot involved the escape of William Parker, a resistance leader who was a formerly enslaved individual. The Christina Riot resulted in the death of a Maryland slaveholder, Edward Gorsuch, and had severely tested the new Fugitive Slave Act while also provoking the beginning of the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act had opposed the Missouri Compromise and aimed to create new territory. The unorganized lands became a crucial point within the debate over slavery's expansion, the Kansas Nebraska Act had proposed to convert these lands into organized US territory, while diminishing the rights of Native Americans. This act was significant by raising the question that the Compromise of 1850 had already settled, which led to opposition towards the act. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln Douglas Debates had occurred as Lincoln ran for Senator. These debates became the focus regarding the national debate over both the future of slavery in the US and the future of the nation itself. The campaign and its debates had attracted attention across the US, and led more Republicans to become aware of Lincoln and his ideas, leading to his election. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Lincoln had been apart of the presidential election campaign in 1860, as the Wide Awake Movement had been in Lincolns favor along with Douglas mistakes during the campaign and breaking traditions, Lincoln remained the most successful of the election. Lincolns support had solely relied on Northern states, however his distribution of popular vote made it easier for him to win the electoral college. Lincolns success impacted the democratic vote, and led to his own guidance of the US nation.