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As the U.S. expanded westward, every new state shifted the power if the North and the South. The south feared they would lose power and their rights, making a battleground between the 2 sides.

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In the mid-1800s, the northern states moved away from farming to industry. The southern states, however, maintained the farming economy that was highly based on slave labor.

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Slavery was highly controversial throughout America, but still highly supported in the south. Slavery caused many deaths and people getting separated from their families.

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The northern and southern Democrats couldn't agree on a candidate, the north wanted Senator Stephen Douglas, but the south wanted the current vice president John C. Breckinridge. In the end, Abraham Lincoln won.

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In 1858 John Brown wanted to attack the federal arsenal in Virginia and seize weapons. His plan involved arming local slaves, and to kill or take hostage white southerners who tried to stop him.

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In 1858 Illinois Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln for the U.S. Senate. The opponent was Democratic Stephen Douglas, who represented Illinois since 1847. Lincoln challenged Douglas and that's what made the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

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John Brown had been determined to "fight fire with fire" and to "strike terror in the hearts of pro-slavery people." The night of May 24, 1856, John Brown and his men killed 5 pro-slavery men along the Pottawatomie river.

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In the 1850's, Kansas had 2 opposing governments, and the population was angry. Settlers thought making homesteads in Kansas would bring peace, but the controversy of slavery started to affect everyone.

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When the election was going on for a Democratic president, delegates became frustrated and turned to Franklin Pierce. He then promised that he would honor the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act.

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This made it a crime to help any runaway slaves. It also allowed officials to arrest slaves in the free areas.

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Sound Smart: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 | History

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Senator Henry Clay made this so both sides after the Missouri crisis were given what they wanted. This allowed the Mexican Cession be federal land, Texas would give up Rio Grande, slave trade would end in the nations capital, and a more effective fugitive slave law would be passed.

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Sound Smart: Compromise of 1850 | History

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This confirmed the legality of slavery in the territories. This was all after the Supreme Court's ruling.

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In 1854 Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This opened all new territories to slavery.