Themes:
Sectionalism:
Kentucky/Virginia Resolutions
Tariff of 1828
South Carolina Exposition/”Nullies”
Crisis of Slavery:
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Slave trade ban (1783): Constitution bans slave trade in 1807
Three-Fifths Compromise (1783): Constitutional Convention allows for slaves to be counted as population,
affecting Congressional apportionment
Northwest Ordinance (1787): forbids slavery in new Northwest Territory
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798-99): sets precedent for nullifying laws which conflicted with state
laws and U.S. Constitution
Tallmadge Amendment (1819): prohibited growth of slavery in Missouri and forced an end to slavery in new
territories
Missouri Compromise (1820): Appeasement policy, allowed slavery in Missouri, for Maine as free state;
Allowed slavery south of 36 30’/Mason-Dixon Line
Tariff of Abominations/Tariff of 1828 (1828): forced tariff on South, resulting in S. Carolina call for secession,
first cry for radical secessionism
Wilmot Proviso (1846): Attempt to prohibit slavery in Mexican territories, seen as an affront to popular
sovereignty and the Missouri Compromise
Lewis Cass (1848): “Father of Popular Sovereignty” placed the decision of slavery in the constituents of the
territory/state; sought to make the issue of slavery democratic=states’ rights
Compromise of 1850 (1850): California designated a “free state”; all other territories/states allowed popular
sovereignty; abolition of slave trade in D.C.
Fugitive Slave Law (1850): Amendment to the Compromise of 1850 which required all fugitive slaves to be
returned to their owners, regardless of whether they were living in a free state; reaffirmed slave status as
property, to be protected by the Constitution