Debate Over Slavery
The Missouri Compromise Slave and free states even in senate Missouri applies to be a slave state– would upset balance Henry Clay comes up with compromise, Great Compromiser Missouri Compromise: 1. Missouri enters as slave 2. Maine enters as free 3. Imaginary line drawn at 36’30’ –no slavery above it
Expansion of Slavery Southerners want Texas to enter as slave Wilmot Proviso– no slavery in lands from Mexico. John C. Calhoun – SC, says gov. can’t stop slavery, creates great debates
Leads to sectionalism– showing loyalty to one part of the country instead of nation One idea- popular sovereignty – people vote and decide slavery or not in the new state
New Compromise California wants to enter as free South wants a strong fugitive slave law, or threaten to secede (breakaway) from country H. Clay comes up with another deal Compromise of 1850: 1. California enters free 2. New Mexico no restrictions on slavery 3. No Slave trade in DC 4. Strong Fugitive Slave Law
Fugitive Slave Act Part of the Compromise of 1850 1.Law stated that northerners had to return runaway slaves to the south 2.Helping runaways led to jail or huge fines Act shows many northerners how truly bad slavery is Bounty hunters capture slaves and free AA’s for $
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Kansas/Nebraska Territories created No more 36 30’ boundary for slave states Kansas/Nebraska Territories will use popular sovereignty
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe Described slave life in detail all over the country, sells thousands of copies Informs people about slavery– leads to more abolitionists Southerners says she doesn’t know what talking about