Failures of Compromise and the Prelude to War

Slavery

Slavery

Slavery

SLAVERY

SLAVERY SLAVERY SLAVERY

Expansion westward

Growing abolitionist sentiment in the

North

Failure of compromise

Fugitive Slave Act complicates

enforcement across the country

Kansas-Nebraska border feud illustrates

the growing trend toward violence.

Major compromises over slavery:• Missouri Compromise of 1820:

Missouri asks to be allowed in to the Union – Whigs

oppose, Southern Democrats support.

Maine allowed in as a result – 1 free, 1 slave state enter

the Union simultaneously.

Slavery banned north of 36’ 30 line.

Compromise of 1850: • Stronger Fugitive Slave Act

• South denies the Wilmot Proviso which would have banned slavery in territories acquired from the Mexican-American War

• California enters as a free state

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stated

that any escaped slaves had to be

returned to their owners in the South, or

those complicit could face a fine.• Violates the rights of freed blacks

• Stokes fears of Slave Power in the North

• Further ignites abolitionist sentiment

Repeals 36’ 30 line of Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Act intends to create states of Kansas and Nebraska to allow for transcontinental railroad.

Slavery would be settled by popular sovereignty:• The decision to be a slave or free state would be left to

the residents of the state.• All males eligible to vote could vote pro- or anti-slavery• Leads to Bleeding Kansas

Many believe this to be the unofficial start

of the Civil War.

Pro- and anti-slavery forces battle in

Kansas. Lawrence under siege by anti-

slavery forces.

John Brown and a group of abolitionists

raid a pro-slavery event. Hack five men to

death with swords on May 24, 1855.

Potttawatommie Creek Massacre.

Republican party forms in aftermath of

Bleeding Kansas – party of anti-slavery.

Republican Party will forward Abraham

Lincoln as a candidate for president in

1860.

South Carolina first to secede upon

Abraham Lincoln’s election.