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Missouri Compromise
Missouri entered as a slave state, Maine as free. Slavery was banned north in the Louisiana territory.
It delayed conflict but showed growing divisions over Slavery. -
Manifest Destiny
Americans believed they were destined to expand westward across the continent. Expansion raised conflicts over whether slavery would spread -
King Cotton
The South's economy relied on Cotton and slavery. Southerners believed Cotton made them powerful.
It fueled Southern confidence and resistance to ending slavery -
Texas Annexation
The U.S. added Texas, a slaveholding republic, leading to tensions with Mexico.
It expanded slavery westward and led to war with Mexico. -
Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
The U.S. defeated Mexico and gained land in the Southwest, raising slavery debates.
The new land reignited the fight over slavery's expansion. -
Compromise of 1850
California entered as free, new territories used popular sovereignty. A stricter Fugitive Slave Act was passed.
It increased tensions, especially in the North over returning escaped slaves -
Fugitive Slave Act
Required citizens to return escaped slaves and denied fugitives a trial.
Enraged Northerners and increased anti-slavery sentiment. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The Court ruled African Americans weren't citizens and Congress couldn't ban slavery in the territories.
The decision angered Northerners and made Compromise harder -
Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a failed raid on a federal arsenal to start a slave revolt.
It scared the South and depended sectional division -
Election of 1860
Lincoln won without Southern support. The South saw him as a threat to slavery.
Southern states seceded soon after, leading to war.