States’ RightsThe belief that the state’s interests should take precedence over the interests of the national government

NullificationThe political belief in the South that the states had a right to nullify, or void, any federal law that they thought was unconstitutional.

Missouri CompromisePassed in 1820 that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory

Compromise of 18501. California entered the Union as a free state2. ended slave trade in the District of Colombia3. Texas gave up its claims to New Mexico in exchange for money4. Utah would determine if they wanted slavery5. Fugitive Slave Act

Georgia PlatformThree congressmen from Georgia, Howell Cobb, Alexander Stephens, and Robert Toombs, supported the Compromise of 1850.

The support of the compromise by the Georgia Platform helped it pass and helped the Union stay together.

Kansas Nebraska-ActLegislation that created the territory of Kansas and Nebraska and contained a clause that said that the issue of slavery would be decided by the residents of each territory, a concept known as popular sovereignty.

Free SoilersA group of people who lived in the new territories that were against slavery and wanted land to be given to western settlers for farming.

Bleeding KansasThe time period in Kansas when there were bloody fights between proslavery “Ruffians” and free soil groups. Ruffians took over the polls and prevented free soilers from voting on slavery legislation.

Dredd Scott DecisionA slave that was taken from a slave state, Missouri, by his owner, and moved to a free state, Illinois. When Scott and his master returned to Missouri, Scott filed a lawsuit for his freedom. The court ruled that Scott could not sue because he was a slave, and slaves were not citizens.

Election of 1860The Democrats split over the issue of popular sovereignty and slavery and split the Democratic Party to Stephen A Douglas (North) and John Breckenridge (South). The Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln won the election without winning the popular vote and not one vote from the southern states.

SectionalismThe belief by the people in a given region or area that their ideas and interests are better and more important than those of another region or area.

AbolitionA second “Great Awakening” swept the country of a religious revival which increased support for the movement to do away with slavery.

John BrownAn abolitionist who helped the free soilers in Kansas and attacked the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He was tried and convicted for treason. His death made him a martyr in the North.

Republican PartyThe Whig party split over the issue of slavery and the northern wing created a new political party that only existed in the free states.

Confederate States of AmericaDecember 20, 1860 South Carolina secedes from the Union after the election of Lincoln as president. On February 4, 1861 11 southern states voted to form a new nation. Jefferson Davis was elected President and Alexander Stephens from Georgia was elected Vice president

TariffTaxes on imported goods from foreign countries shipped into the United States. These taxes would increase the cost of goods. The North supported tariffs because of industry and the South opposed tariffs because they received many of their goods from foreign countries

Tariff of 1828An act passed that taxed imported goods to help protect Northern factories from foreign competition.

Fugitive Slave ActA law stating that slaves who ran away to free states would be returned to their owners.

Alexander Stephens

From Ga., was elected Vice President of the Confederate States of America even though he had spoken against secession from the Union.

Jefferson Davis

Elected president of the Confederate States of America.