Slavery & Westward Expansion
Secret organization which helped escaped slaves make their way to the free Northern states or Canada.
The Underground Railroad
Prolific senator from Illinois who Abraham Lincoln had several famous debates with.
Stephen Douglas
Name two of the four border states.
There are four of them.
The idea that people living in a territory had the right to decide by voting whether to allow slavery or not.
Popular Sovereignty
Proposed addition to a war bill which stated, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any territory."
The Wilmot Proviso
Abolitionist who launched an unsuccessful raid on the arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
John Brown
The first state to secede from the Union.
South Carolina
Act which was passed to placate Southerners who were worried about runaway slaves, but enraged Northerners.
Fugitive Slave Act
New political party consisting of Northern Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats.
Free Soil Party
Political party based on ethnic prejudice, also known as the "Know Nothings".
The American Party
Fort in Charleston Harbor which was bombarded by the Confederacy and taken from the Union.
Fort Sumter
Book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe which caused many Northerners to look more unfavorably on slavery.
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Compromise passed to stop some southern states seceding from the Union during the admission of California as a state.
Compromise of 1850
Supreme Court ruling which stated that African Americans could not be American citizens.
Dred Scott Decision/ Dred Scott v. Sanford
The election of this individual as president was the final straw that sparked the secession of the Southern states.
Abraham Lincoln
Name given to pro-slavery Missourians who crossed into Kansas to cause trouble and interfere with votes.
"Border Ruffians"
Transaction in which Mexico sold a 30,000 square-mile-strip of land for $10 million.
The Gadsden Purchase
Doctrine of Stephen Douglas in which he showed support for the Dred Scott decision while also supporting territory's right to vote on slavery.
Freeport Doctrine
President of the Confederacy.
Jefferson Davis
This state was originally neutral until it was invaded by the Confederacy. The decision to support the Union caused a separate pro-Confederacy government to be formed.
Kentucky