Missouri Crisis Flashcards

Missouri Crisis (1820)

A sectional conflict over Missouri’s admission as a slave state that highlighted tensions between free and slave states.

Thomas Jefferson “Fire Bell in the Night” Quote

Jefferson warned that the expansion of slavery threatened the survival of the Union.

Free vs Slave States (Antebellum Era)

The North was associated with free states while the South was associated with slave states.

Missouri Statehood Dilemma

Missouri sought admission as a slave state, threatening the balance between free and slave states.

Founders’ View on Slavery

Many founders recognized slavery contradicted Revolutionary ideals of liberty and freedom.

Slavery as a “Necessary Evil”

Early belief that slavery was morally wrong but economically unavoidable.

Cotton Gin and Slavery

Eli Whitney’s cotton gin made slavery highly profitable, increasing Southern dependence on enslaved labor.

John C. Calhoun

Senator from South Carolina and a leading pro-slavery theorist.

Economic Justification for Slavery

Slave labor increased wealth by eliminating labor costs for plantation owners.

Henry Clay “The Great Compromiser”

Congressman from Kentucky who crafted compromises to preserve the Union.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain balance.

36^{\circ}30' Line

The boundary dividing free and slave territories in the Louisiana Purchase.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion (1831)

The largest slave revolt in U.S. history, occurring in Virginia.

Nat Turner

Enslaved preacher who led a violent uprising against slaveholders.

Impact of Nat Turner’s Rebellion

White backlash increased repression of enslaved people across the South.

Nullification Crisis (1832)

A dispute over tariffs and states’ rights led by South Carolina.

Calhoun’s Compact Theory

The belief that the Constitution was an agreement between states that could judge federal laws.

Nullification and Slavery

Nullification ideas later influenced pro-slavery and states’ rights arguments.

Mexican-American War

War that resulted in U.S. territorial expansion and renewed slavery debates.

Territorial Expansion and Slavery

New western lands raised questions about whether slavery would expand.

Free Soil Party

A political party opposing the expansion of slavery into western territories.

Zachary Taylor

Whig candidate and Mexican War general elected president.

Lewis Cass

Democratic candidate who supported popular sovereignty.

Whig Party Beliefs

Supported federal power, a national bank, tariffs, and infrastructure.

Whig Party Split on Slavery

Northern Whigs opposed slavery expansion while Southern Whigs supported slavery.

Conscience Whigs

Northern Whigs who opposed slavery on moral grounds.

Cotton Whigs

Southern Whigs who supported slavery and plantation interests.

Daniel Webster

Senator from Massachusetts who prioritized preserving the Union over abolishing slavery.

Henry Clay on Slavery

Called slavery a great evil but supported gradual emancipation and compromise.

Calhoun’s “Positive Good” Argument

Claimed slavery benefited both enslaved people and Southern society.

Compromise of 1850

A series of laws addressing slavery issues after the Mexican War.

California Gold Rush

Population growth allowed California to seek statehood as a free state.

California Statehood Debate

California’s free-state request disrupted the sectional balance.

Omnibus Bill

A single bill combining multiple compromise measures proposed by Henry Clay.

Stephen A. Douglas

Senator from Illinois who divided the Compromise of 1850 into smaller bills.

California Admitted as Free State

Key provision of the Compromise of 1850.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Law requiring the federal government to capture and return escaped enslaved people.

Federal Role in Fugitive Slavery

The national government enforced slave-catching even in free states.

Popular Sovereignty in New Mexico & Arizona

Territories organized without deciding slavery immediately.

Interstate Slave Trade

Congress agreed not to regulate slave trading between states.

Texas Boundary Settlement

Texas gave up land in exchange for federal debt payment.

Washington, D.C. Slave Trade

Banned, but slavery itself remained legal.

Anthony Burns

Escaped enslaved man arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act in Boston.

Boston Slave Riot (1854)

Violent protests erupted during Anthony Burns’ arrest.

Anthony Burns Trial

Federal courts ordered Burns returned to slavery despite public opposition.

Anthony Burns’ Freedom

Boston abolitionists later purchased his freedom.

Components of the Omnibus Bill (1850)

The single bill proposed by Henry Clay containing five parts:

1. Admission of California as a free state
2. Organization of NM and UT territories under popular sovereignty
3. Texas border adjustment and federal debt payment
4. A stronger Fugitive Slave Act
5. Abolition of the slave trade in D.C.