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Crisis and Compromise: 1820-1861
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Maintaining a Political Balance Between North and South
Missouri Compromise – 1820: Alabama was admitted as a slave state in 1819 (making 11 slave states and 11 free states) The Territory of Missouri asked to be admitted as a slave state which would upset the balance in Congress.
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The “Great Compromiser”
Henry Clay of Kentucky proposed a compromise over Missouri – terms: Missouri would be admitted as a slave state. Maine was admitted as a free state. The Rest of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36°30 parallel would be free
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Missouri Compromise (1820)
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The Abolition Movement
Support for abolishing slavery began to grow during the early 1800s. Propaganda and the press: “The Liberator” – newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison, denouncing the evils of slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin – book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe about life as a slave.
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The Abolition Movement
Escape of slaves – Harriet Tubman created the “Underground Railroad” to help slaves escape from the south across the Mason-Dixon Line, and later to Canada.
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Mason-Dixon Line
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Deadlock over Texas Texas wanted to be admitted into the union as a slave state (Arkansas had been admitted as a slave state in 1836, and Michigan as a free state in 1837). James Polk won the Election of 1844, and then Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1845.
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Deadlock over Texas Resolution Terms:
Texas would be admitted as a slave state. If Texas did divide, any land north of 36°30 parallel would be free. United States would take over the boundary dispute with Mexico.
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Election of 1848 Polk decided not to run for re-election.
Parties and their candidates: a. Whigs – Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) b. Democrats – Lewis Cass (Michigan) c. Free-Soil Party – Martin Van Buren (opposed further extension of slavery into the Territories).
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Election of 1848 Winners – Zachary Taylor as President, and Millard Fillmore as Vice President.
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Controversial Issues Now Facing the Nation
California’s entry into the union as a free state. Boundary dispute between Texas and the unorganized Territory of New Mexico Southern proposal for a new, more effective Fugitive Slave Law
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Groups Form Over Division of the Southwest
Build upon the success of the Missouri Compromise – Polk. Wilmot Proviso – no slavery in lands acquired from Mexico – David Wilmot Congress has no right to prohibit slavery in the Southwest – John C. Calhoun Popular Sovereignty – Stephen A. Douglas
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Compromise of 1850 Compromise was developed by Henry Clay
Key Provisions: Admission of California as a free state. Organization of Mexican lands based on popular sovereignty.
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Compromise of 1850
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Election of 1852 Parties and their candidates:
Democrats – Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire. Whigs – Winfield Scott Free-Soil – John Hale Winners – Pierce as President, and William R.D. King as Vice President
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Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
Authored by Stephen A. Douglas Key Provisions: Created the Kansas & Nebraska territories Declared the Missouri Compromise void Slavery in the territories would be decided by Popular Sovereignty
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Kansas-Nebraska Act
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