Pre-Civil War compromises and events

3/5 Compromise Written into the U.S. Constitution Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a free person in terms of population. Why important? Population determines # of Representatives in Congress and therefore political power. Ex: 100 slaves = 60 free people for population

Missouri Compromise Entered Missouri as slave state and Maine as a free state Created the 36°30’ N line as the line of slavery in new states and territories

Compromise of 1850 Texas / New Mexico Border New Mexico could use popular sovereignty (people vote) to decide issue of slavery End of slave trade in Washington, D.C. (but slavery was still allowed) California becomes a free state Fugitive Slave Act passed

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Kansas and Nebraska Would use popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery. Led to a bloody and violent civil war (1856) in Kansas that became known as “Bleeding Kansas” Bleeding Kansas was a battle between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups Kansas would eventually join the Union as a free state.

Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott was a slave that sued his owner for his freedom in 1857 – the case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens of the U.S. and had no right to sue in court. Ruled that slavers were personal property of their owners.

John Brown’s Raid John Brown was an abolitionist. He led a small group of 21 men (16 white and 5 black) in a raid on Harper’s Ferry, Va. This is where the federal arsenal was stored. He wanted to steal weapons to further his goal of creating a slave army to battle pro-slavery supporters. The raid failed – John Brown was captured and put on trial. Instead of trying to escape, he wanted to die a martyr.

Election of 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the U.S. in 1860.

Election of 1860 Lincoln won the election without receiving a single vote from the South. His election meant the South was now a minority in Congress and had little power. Lincoln believed in equal rights for all – the South feared he would end slavery. His election led to the secession of Southern states from the Union.