Kansas-Nebraska Act Bleeding Kansas
United States - 1848
Problem with Growth Gained land in 1848 from Mexican-American War. California wants to enter as a free state. What problems does this pose? Solution: Compromise of 1850.
Compromise of 1850 California will enter as a free state. South agreed with addition of a stronger Fugitive Slave Act. U.S. Marshalls & slave owners can reclaim escaped slaves in Northern states Failure to cooperate = $1,000 fine and prison term of up to 6 months
United States - 1850
Kansas-Nebraska Act Allows territories to decide in their constitutions if they will enter as a free or slave state. Proslavery and free state settlers flooded the territory to try to gain control.
Bleeding Kansas Tension between pro and anti slavery groups rose and began to turn violent. May 1856 – Proslavery Missourians crossed into Kansas and looted anti-slavery towns. John Brown responded by planning the murder of five proslavery settlers. Sparked several years of violence between pro and anti slavery groups. Eventually officially became a free state.