The Kansas-Nebraska Act and Political Developments Leading to the Civil War

These flashcards cover key concepts and events from the lecture focused on the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott decision, the emergence of the Republican Party, and pre-Civil War tensions.

Popular Sovereignty

A principle allowing settlers of a territory to decide on the slavery issue.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Introduced by Stephen Douglas in 1854, it repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty.

Appeal of the Independent Democrats

A response by anti-slavery congressmen to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, opposing its passage.

Republican Party

Political party formed to oppose the extension of slavery into territories.

Dred Scott Case

Supreme Court case in 1857 ruling that declared only whites could be citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in territories.

The Crittenden Plan

A proposal to amend the Constitution to protect slavery in existing states and extend the Missouri Compromise line.

Secession

The act of withdrawing from an organization; in this context, refers to Southern states leaving the Union before the Civil War.

CSA

Confederate States of America, formed by the seceding southern states.

Lincoln's Stance on War

Lincoln aimed to avoid war initially by encouraging Unionist sentiment and avoiding aggressive actions.

Democratic Convention of 1860

A split convention over popular sovereignty leading to the nomination of Douglas in the North and Breckinridge in the South.