Road to the Civil War Causes of the War
Slavery Slavery began to split the country more and more. The issue of extending slavery into the territories caused more trouble.
Fighting the Spread of Slavery Wilmot Proviso – attempted to ban slavery in any territory gained in the Mexican War. Free-Soil Party – A new political party the formed to oppose the spread of slavery Compromise of 1850 – California came in as a free state Voters would decide in other territory gained from Mexico. Enacted a strong Fugitive Slave Law.
Bloody Kansas Kansas-Nebraska Act – Bill that divided the Kansas Territory into Kansas and Nebraska. The people of the territories would vote to see if they would allow slavery. Pro slavery and Anti slavery groups went to Kansas and fought over slavery.
Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott, a slave, sued for his freedom since he had lived in free states The Supreme Court ruled against him and said that African Americans weren’t US citizens. Also said Congress could not ban slavery in any territory.
John Brown’s Raid John Brown laid a raid on the arsenal at Hapers Ferry Virginia. He hopes that they could seize the weapons and give them to slave who would rebel. They were caught in the arsenal’s engine house and captured. Brown was hung but the raid continued to divide the north and south.