1. Factors Leading to Sectional Division

2. Compromise of 1850 Proposed by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky California admitted to the Union as a free state. Unorganized western territory would be admitted to Union as free states. Utah and New Mexico Territories would be open to slavery by Popular Sovereignty (letting the people vote for or against slavery)

3. Fugitive Slave Law Part of the Compromise of 1850 Required Northern states to return escaped slaves to their Southern owners. Unpopular in the North Many Northern states used South Carolina’s “Doctrine of Nullification” to justify their position of not obeying this law.

4. Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Proposed by Senator Stephan A. Douglas of Illinois. Allowed territories of Kansas and Nebraska to choose to be slave state or free state through popular sovereignty Settlers from both sides rushed to Kansas and armed battles between pro-slavery (Border Ruffians) and anti-slavery (Jayhawkers) became common Kansas became known as “Bleeding Kansas” and was essentially a state in civil war.

5. Formation of the Republican Party (1854) Formed by Democrats, Whigs and Free-Soilers (those who opposed slavery in new territories) This party became noted for opposing the spread of slavery to western territories. Party of Abraham Lincoln

6. Dred Scott Decision (1857) Scott v. Sanford Dred Scott was a run-away slave who sued his owner for freedom because he had lived for 4 years in the free territory of Wisconsin. The Southern-controlled Supreme Court ruled against him. Slaves were not considered citizens and could not sue in court; this essentially made slaves property. Enslaved people did not win freedom simply by living in a free territory or state. The Missouri Compromise was ruled unconstitutional – Congress could not deprive slave owners of their property by forbidding slavery anywhere – Therefore, all territories were open to slavery.

7. John Brown Raid (1859) John Brown: Abolitionist leader who led his followers in attack on an arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. He wanted to arm the slaves and lead a rebellion He was captured, found guilty of treason, and hanged. He became a hero to abolitionists He was hated by Southerners and made them feel even more uneasy about slave revolts and their security.