Step to civil war

California Gold Rush

Jan 1, 1849

Tension raised. The south was upset because California was a free states. South wanted to make California a slave state.

Compromise of 1850

Jan 1, 1850

Lowered Tension over expansion of slavery. It consisted laws that California was a free state. The question of slavery was determined by popular sovereignty.

Fugitive Slave Law

Sep 18, 1850

Tension raised. Free blacks were accused of being runaways.