The Pro-Nebraska Act: Slavery In The United States

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The Kansas-Nebraska act was passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854. It was introduced by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. It enabled people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide if they wanted slavery or not in their borders. The act helped to reverse the Missouri Compromise of 1820 (My Notes). Which banned slavery north of 36°30’ N latitude, the line that limited slavery (http://www.history.com/topics/kansas-nebraska-act). Douglas called this “popular sovereignty.” “Before the law they would not have been free, giving the free states more votes in the Senate and angering the South,” (Discovering our Pasts;The History of the United States Early Years, P.431). In 1855, a pro-slavery government was elected in Kansas. …show more content…

All though only 1500 people lived in Kansas, 6,000 votes were cast. The pro-slavery group won. Kansas authorise laws supporting slavery. Slavery opponents did not accept the laws. They equip themselves, held their own elections, and support a constitution banning slavery. By January 1856, Kansas had two new opponents in government. All of these events link up to the birth of the Republican Party because the disagreement over the Kansas-Nebraska Act caused the old Whig Party to break up which caused the Republican Party to form. After the party proslavery southerners attacked the abolitionists and refused to let them vote which started the abolitionists to revolt which also created the republican …show more content…

It was formed by Northern Whigs and Democrats in 1854 (Mr.Adreons notes). In its first year it was controlling the House of Representatives and several other state governments. By 1860, it controlled the presidency (Mr.Adreons notes). The Republicans swiftly gained supporters by the North. In 1856 their first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, won eleven out of sixteen Northern States. By 1860, the majority of Southern states that supported slavery were publicly threatening secession if the Republicans won the election. In November 1860, Republican Abraham Lincoln over a divided Democratic Party. Six weeks later, South Carolina seceded from the Union. Within six more weeks, five other southern states had copied South Carolina’s lead (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republican-party-founded.) In extension to forming states governments, the American people had to form a national government. People agreed the new country should be republic, a government in which the people rule through elected representatives. They disagreed, however on what powers the new republic’s government should have. At first, most Americans wanted a weak central government only to wage war and handle relations with other countries. The birth of the Republican Party caused Abraham Lincoln to challenge Stephen Douglas to debates. If it was not for the Republican Party Abraham Lincoln would have never debated Stephen

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