It would upset the balance of free and slave states in
the Union
36° 30’ – divided up land in Louisiana
Everything above = free territory, below = slave
Henry Clay
Kept the balance of free and slave states
(Maine = free, Missouri = slave)
Louisiana
1) Maine = free
2) Missouri = slave
3) 36° 30’ line drawn
1848
Keep slavery out of western territories
Help capture runaway slaves
Enraged antislavery northerners
California wanted to enter the Union as a free state
Henry Clay
 CA = free state
 Slave trade banned in D.C.
 Fugitive Slave Act

Popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico
Fugitive
Slave Act
Evils of slavery & the
injustices of the
Fugitive Slave Act
Sold millions of copies (very popular in the North)
Southerners objected to it (said it did not accurately portray
slavery)
People can decide the issue
of slavery (not Congress)
Pro-slavery men from Missouri
“Bleeding Kansas” – more than 200 killed
Senator Charles Sumner criticized slavery and Senator
Andrew Butler. Butler’s nephew, Preston Brooks beat
Sumner with his cane, almost killing him
 Scott (a slave) can’t file a
lawsuit
 Congress can’t outlaw slavery in
ANY territory
Missouri Compromise
Keep slavery out of western territories
Stephen Douglas
Lost, but his name is now well known
Keep slavery out of western territories
True
Willing to give up your life for your beliefs
To raid the federal arsenal (gun
warehouse) and arm slaves with guns
to start a slave revolt
Lincoln won the election
South felt they had no power so several states
seceded (left the Union)