A Divided Nation

The 1850s was a decade of disagreement in which the nation's leaders were unable and unwilling to resolve the issue of slavery, leading to many riots and public disputes.

To please both southerners and northerners, California entered the Union as a free state, and people would vote whether to make Utah and New Mexico free states or slave states.

The Compromise of 1850

Fugitive Slave Act: 1850

The Fugitive Slave Act made it illegal to assist runaway slaves, and was enforced immediately. This angered northerners, for slaves were not offered a trial by jury. This caused violence to erupt and furthered the division of the nation

The Kansas-Nebraska Act: 1854

An act that separated the land of the Louisiana purchase into Kansas and Nebraska, and allowed the population to decide on their status in the matter of slavery. This act divided Kansas into two gorups, antislavery and pro-slavery

John Brown's Response: 1856

John Brown, an abolitionist from New England led some men to kill five pro-slavery men in Kansas. This brutal killing became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre. This was one of the events that caused Kansas to collape into civil war.

A Divided Nation

Bleeding Kansas: 1856

In 1856, Kansas had two opposing governments because of slavery controversy. The attack on Lawrence, Pottawatomie Massacre, and Brooks Attack on Sumner were some of the events caused by Kansas' deteriating government, and became known as Bleeding Kansas

In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free. Honroable alike in what we give and what we preserve.We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of Earth. -Abraham Lincoln

Dred Scott Decision: 1857

Dred Scott, the slave of Dr. John Emerson, went to court with a case claiming he was free because his master died and he had lived in a free state for long enough amount of time. He was ruled a slave, angering many people and separating the nation further.

Lincoln Takes Office: 1861

After much debate and the winning of no southern states, Lincoln took office in 1861. His determination to end slavery angered southerners, but gave hope for a peacful time in the United States.