Whogeenie's Stuff

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Compromise of 1850 The compromise of 1850 was set to solve the problems of the north and the south not agreeing on states admitting as free or slave. So the compromise was that California could be admitted as a free state. But while this was happened, the Mexican cession was split into 2 parts, New Mexico and Utah. Both states voted on if they wanted slavery to be aloud or not by popular sovereignty. Also slave trade was not permitted in the countries capital, Washington DC and the fugitive slave law was passed.

Although this solved a lot of problems it did not solve them for long. There were still issues that needed to be thought out and fixed. And this is why it would not help stop the road to the civil war.

Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 The fugitive slave law of 1850 was stricter than the one of 1793. The one of 1793 many slaves’ lives as free citizens in northern states. But now people who let fugitives escape would have to pay a $1000 fine. Which was way more than you think back then.

This would cause controversy because it would make northerners to have to take part in slavery by capturing slaves and returning them to there owners which made them feel like they were being slave owners.

Uncle Toms Cabin In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book called Uncle Toms Cabin, which played part in antislavery. It showed how bad slavery was and how it wasn’t a good thing. And also it talked about how bad the Fugitive Slave Law was and that it should all be changed because it was ruining the country.

This could impact the road to war because it will make people who support slavery very mad about this book and make them want to rebel against people who want to ban slavery and northerners.

Kansas-Nebraska Act In 1854 there was a new territory called Nebraska territory that was very large and everyone knew that southerners would not want another free state admitted into the union. So they put in place the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Stephan Douglas decided to split the territory into two smaller territories, Nebraska and Kansas. Both states would vote on if they wanted to accept slavery by popular sovereignty.

This was a big move because it made the balance of free and slave states not even. It made it too much up to the people which cause war.

Bleeding Kansas-Vote-Will Kansas be free or slave? Kansas was split between people who wanted to have slavery and ones who did not. 200 people had died in all the battles taking place all around the territory. Which was not helping them decide whether it was going to be free or slave.

This is another thing that really led to the civil war. There were already battles going on in a territory over slave states or not. This controversy could tear up the entire United States.

The Killings at Pottawatomie Creek Most people involved were farmers from other states. The people who came to fight were called “Border Ruffians”. They were the ones fighting the antislavery people. During the vote many “border Ruffians” illegally came over the border and voted to stop the antislavery people from winning. Over 200 people died at the battle of Pottawatomie Creek.

This lead to the war more because it was a big start in killing battles. Before it was just people e arguing or disagreeing but it changed and became physical.

Congressman Brooks vs. Senator Sumner Sumner denounced the proslavery legislature and said hurtful things about congressman Brooks uncle. This made the congressman very angry so he went to the senator’s chamber and beat him with a stick until he was unconscious.

This plays a big part because it showed people that even in the political parties they could not stat at least neutral. It showed anger against each other, which cause anger within the people. Which would cause the civil war.

Dred Scott Decision This was of a man who’s owner died and they had just moved back to Missouri. But the southerners say he was still a slave, others thought he was free because he had lived in a free state. The case got to the Supreme Court. First they had said he could not file a lawsuit because he was not a citizen, considering he had been a slave. Also they could not outlaw slavery in any territory, meaning that the Missouri Compromise was against the constitution. This meant that legally slavery was legal in all the territories.

This made southerners very happy. On the other hand this made many people angry adding to the road to civil war. It showed the northern people that there was no turning back they needed to do something.

Rise of a New Republican Party The Republican Party did not want slavery in the western states. John C Fremont ran for president to represent their party. He did not have much experience in politics, but he was in the fight for California’s freedom. He did not although win the election, Buchanan, a democrat from Pennsylvania won. Although this took place the republican party was known and was a big part in the US.

Lincoln Douglas Debates Lincoln was not as popular with the people as Douglas was. So Lincoln went to the same states as Douglas and would answer speech after speech. He also challenged Douglas in debates. There were a total of 7 all together that happened during the election time. Douglas at one debate was talking to the people about how bad Lincoln was and his plan to end slavery would cause war between the north and the south. Douglas thought that popular sovereignty was the best way to end the battles of slavery. Lincoln then talked about how if slavery was evil and voting on it was the best way to end it than it should not be aloud in any territory. Many people following cheered Lincoln on, and many cheered Douglas.

This was another battle not won by antislavery activists. Because when Douglas won the election it was not a good thing for the rest of the people who wanted slavery to end because more and more people were coming to power who were for slavery.

John Browns Raid and Trail

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2007 (PermaLink)

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