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1850 Compromise
A package of 5 separate bills passed by congress which defused a four-year political confrontation between slave and free states regarding the status of territories acquired during the Mexican–American War -
Cali. Becomes 31st state
In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, non-slave state by the Compromise of 1850. California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
An Anti-slavery novel by american author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852 the novel helped lay the groundwork for the civil war. -
Election of 1852
It bore important similarities to the election of 1844. Once again, the incumbent president was a Whig who had succeeded to the presidency upon the death of his war-hero predecessor. The Whig party passed over the incumbent for nomination—casting aside Fillmore in favor of General Winfield Scott. The Whigs again campaigned on the obscurity of the Democratic candidate, and again, the strategy failed. -
Gadsden Purchase
A 29,670-square-mile region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that the United States purchased via a treaty signed on December 30, 1853 by James Gadsden, American ambassador to Mexico at that time. -
Bleeding kansas
Bleeding Kansas War was a series of violent political confrontations in the United States involving anti-slavery "Free-Staters" and pro-slavery "Border Ruffian", or "southern yankees" elements in Kansas between 1854 and 1861 -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Was passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854. It allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The Act served to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´ -
Charles Sumner and Preston Brooks Incidate
Brooks decided to teach Charles Sumner a lesson he would not soon forget. Two days after the end of Sumner's speech, Brooks entered the Senate chamber where Sumner was working. He flatly told Sumner "You've libeled my state and slandered my relative, and I've come to punish you for it." Brooks proceeded to strike Sumner over the head with a gold-tipped cane. The cane shattered blow after blow on the hapless Sumner,Brooks could not be stopped. after being physically until restrained by others -
Election of 1856
American presidential election held on Nov. 4, 1856, in which Democrat James Buchanan defeated Republican John C. Frémont with 174 electoral votes to Frémont’s 114. Whig and former president Millard Fillmore, who ran on the Know-Nothing ticket, garnered only 8 electoral votes. -
Dred Scott Decision
According to Taney, Dred Scott was the property of his owner, and property could not be taken from a person without due process of law. -
Douglas/Lincoln debate
In 1858, as the country moved ever closer to disunion, two politicians from Illinois attracted the attention of a nation. From August 21 until October 15, Stephen Douglas battled Abraham Lincoln in face to face DEBATES around the state. The prize they sought was a seat in the Senate. Lincoln challenged Douglas to a war of ideas. Douglas took the challenge. The debates were to be held at 7 locations throughout Illinois. The fight was on and the nation was watching. -
John Brown Raid
Was an effort by white abolitionist John Brown to initiate an armed slave revolt in 1859 by taking over a United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown's raid, accompanied by 21 men in his party, was defeated by a company of U.S. Marines from the Marine Barracks.
