3. Keeping in mind how the expansion of U.S. territory westward threatened the delicate balance of power in Congress between free and slave states and Lincoln’s stance on slavery, describe how key events (such as land acquisitions, agreements about how new territories should enter the Union as states, etc.) led the country into the Civil War.
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To understand how key events led the country into the Civil War, we need to consider the expansion of U.S. territory, the debate over slavery, and Abraham Lincoln's stance on this issue.
1. Land Acquisitions:
The United States experienced significant territorial expansion during the 19th century, acquiring vast territories such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Mexican Cession in 1848, and the Oregon Territory in 1846. These acquisitions brought immense opportunities for economic growth and development, but they also intensified the existing tensions between free and slave states.
2. Expansion of Slavery:
The expansion of U.S. territory raised important questions regarding the status of slavery in these newly acquired lands. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 attempted to maintain a balance by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while also prohibiting slavery in territories north of the 36°30’ parallel. However, this compromise could not fully resolve the growing tensions.
3. Mexican-American War and the Wilmot Proviso:
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) resulted in the acquisition of vast territories from Mexico. The Wilmot Proviso, proposed by Congressman David Wilmot, sought to ban slavery in any territories obtained from Mexico. This intensified the sectional divide between the North, where anti-slavery sentiments were growing, and the South, which saw this as an infringement on their rights.
4. Compromise of 1850:
In an attempt to address the growing tensions, the Compromise of 1850 was passed. It included provisions such as admitting California as a free state, the abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C., and the introduction of popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico. However, this compromise only temporarily eased tensions and did not solve the fundamental issue of slavery expansion.
5. Kansas-Nebraska Act:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise and introduced popular sovereignty in the Kansas and Nebraska territories. This allowed residents to decide on the issue of slavery through a vote. As a result, violent conflicts erupted between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, leading to a period known as "Bleeding Kansas."
6. Dred Scott Decision:
In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott case that enslaved individuals were not citizens and could not sue for freedom. This decision further deepened the divide between the North and South, as it effectively declared that Congress had no power to regulate slavery in any U.S. territories.
7. Election of Abraham Lincoln:
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln, a Republican who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected as President. His victory sparked fear among Southern states, which believed that he would limit their rights. In response to Lincoln's election, several Southern states, starting with South Carolina, seceded from the Union, ultimately leading to the formation of the Confederacy and the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.
In summary, key events such as land acquisitions, the debate over slavery expansion, the repeal of compromises, and the election of Abraham Lincoln all played pivotal roles in leading the United States into the Civil War. These events highlighted the deep-rooted divisions between the North and South over the issue of slavery, ultimately leading to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of war.