Sectionalism

What issues divided the country and the

legislation that tried to keep the country

together.

The Missouri Compromise (1820)

1. Missouri enters as a slave state.2. Maine enters as a free state.3. Drew the 3630’ line that stated

slavery could only exist south of that line.

4. This was negotiated by Henry Clay.

5. Kept balance - 12 Free and 12 Slave

The United States in 1820

The Compromise of 1850

1. California enters as a free state.

2. Creates New Mexico and Utah - decide slavery issue by vote- popular sovereignty.

3. Slave trade ends in Washington D.C.

4. Includes a strict fugitive slave law.

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854

1. The Nebraska territory was to be divided.

2. This would create Kansas and Nebraska

3. The territories would decide the slavery issue by popular sovereignty

4. Led to violence as supporters for both sides use violent means.

Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

The Dred Scott Case, 1857

• Dred Scott was a slave who had lived in Virginia, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.

• He moved back to Missouri with his owner.

• When his owner died Abolitionist lawyers took his case.

• They argued that since Dred Scott had lived in a free state at one point he was a free man.

• The case goes to the Supreme Court.

The Dred Scott Decision

1. Scott could not file a lawsuit because he was not a citizen but instead he was “property”.

2. The court declares that Congress can’t decide the issue of slavery.

3. This makes the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

4. Now slavery could legally be a part of any state.