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American Anti-Slavery Society founded
Founded in 1833 by william lloyd garrison and other abolitionists. garrison burned the constitution as a pro slavery document. argued for "no union with slaveholders" until they repented for their sins by freeing their slaves. -
Liberty Party Organized
A political party that started during the two party systems in the 1840's.The party's main platform was bringing an end to slavery by political and legal means. The party was originally part of the American Anti-slavery however; they split because they believed there was a more practical way to end slavery than Garrison's moral crusade. -
Polk defeats Clay in "Manifest Destiny" election
Democrat James K. Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in a close contest that turned on the controversial issue of slavery expansion through the annexation of the Republic of Texas. Called Manifest Destiny due to the soon to be expansion and idea that it was destined for the United States to obtain more land. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American War and Mexico gave up all claims to land from Texas to California for $15 million -
California Gold Rush
Thousands of miners travel to Northern California after news reports of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in January of 1848 had spread around the world. This caused Californians to apply for statehood in 1849 -
1. Kansas-Nebraska Act 2. Republican Party organized
- proposed that the issue of slavery be decided by popular sovereignty in the Kansas and Nebraska territories, revoking the 1820 Missouri Compromise. Introduced by Stephen Douglass in an effort to bring Nebraska into the Union and pave the way for a northern transcontinental railroad.
- organized in 1854 by antislavery Whigs, Democrats, and Free Soilers in response to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act; nominated John C. Frémont for president in 1856 and Abraham Lincoln in 1860
