Chapter 13: The Politics of Separation (1850-1861)

A law that banned slavery in any land acquired from Mexico.

A political strategy that allowed residents of territories to decide whether or not to allow slavery.

The most controversial aspect of the Compromise of 1850, which required Northerners to help return runaway slaves to the South.

The process of breaking apart the United States into separate nations.

A collection of bills passed in 1850 to try and resolve tensions over slavery.

A fictional novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and its moral implications. It became a bestseller and helped sway public opinion against slavery.

A political party formed in the mid-1850s in opposition to the spread of slavery to new territories. It advocated for limiting slavery's expansion.

A series of debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in 1858, focusing on the issue of slavery and its extension. These debates propelled Lincoln to national prominence and helped shape the national conversation.

A series of violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas, erupting after the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for popular sovereignty. Both sides sought to control the state and influence its future regarding slavery.

A Supreme Court case that ruled against the rights of enslaved people, stating that blacks were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, effectively allowing for the spread of slavery in territories.

An attack on the pro-slavery town of Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas, carried out by John Brown and his supporters in retaliation for the Sack of Lawrence. Five pro-slavery men were murdered, escalating the violence in Kansas and deepening the divide over slavery.

A violent attack on the pro-slavery town of Lawrence in Kansas by a mob of pro-slavery settlers, resulting in destruction of property and heightened tension in the Kansas territory.

A failed attempt by John Brown to initiate a slave uprising by seizing the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. While ultimately unsuccessful, it served as a catalyst for national unrest and heightened Southern fears of slave rebellions.

A term used to describe pro-slavery settlers from Missouri who migrated to Kansas in the mid-1850s. They were known for their aggressive tactics and violence in support of slavery.

A senator from Massachusetts who delivered a fiery speech condemning slavery and those who supported it. His speech, called “The Crimes Against Kansas,” was a source of controversy and led to a violent assault on him in the U.S. Senate.

A senator from South Carolina who was targeted by Charles Sumner's speech. The attack on his character led to a physical assault on Sumner by a pro-slavery congressman.

An abolitionist who played a notable role in the violence in Kansas, participating in the Pottawatomie Massacre. His actions were fueled by a fervent belief that slavery was a wicked institution.

A former congressman who emerged as a prominent figure during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. His views on slavery, opposing further expansion but not calling for abolition, resonated with many northerners and set the stage for his political rise.

A senator from Illinois who was a strong supporter of popular sovereignty. He argued that the people of each territory should decide the issue of slavery. However, his stance led to conflicts and further increased tensions over slavery.