| A | B |
|---|
| Slavery in the South | Major underlying pervasive cause |
| Development of two distinct socioeconomic systems and cultures | Further reinforced slavery as fundamental socioeconomic, cultural, moral issue |
| States' rights, nullification doctrine | Ongoing political issue, less fundamental as cause |
| Missouri Compromise (36 degrees, 30 minutes) | Background for conflict over slavery in territories |
| South Carolina tariff nullification crisis | Background for secession leadership in South Carolina |
| Antislavery movements, southern justification | Thirty years of emotional preparation for conflict |
| War with Mexico (Wilmot Proviso, Calhoun, popular sovereignty) | Options for issue of slavery in territories |
| Compromise of 1850 | Temporary and unsatisfactory "settlement" of divisive issue |
| Fugitive slaves returned and rescued in North; personal liberty laws passed in North; Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" | Heightened northern emotional reactions against the South and slavery |
| Breakdown of Whig party and national Democratic party; creation of a new party system with sectional basis | Made national politics an arena where sectional and cultural differences over slavery were fought |
| Ostend Manifesto and other expansionist efforts in Central America | Reinforced image of Democratic party as favoring slavery |
| Formation of Republican party | Major party identified as opposing the extension of slavery |
| Kansas-Nebraska Act | Reopened "settled" issue of slavery in the territories |
| "Bleeding Kansas"; Senator Sumner physically attacked in Senate | Foretaste of Civil War (200 killed, $2 million in property lost); inflamed emotions and polarized North and South |
| Dred Scott decision; proslavery Lecompton constitution in Kansas | Made North fear a "slave power conspiracy," supported by President Buchanan and the Supreme Court |
| Lincoln-Douglas debates in Illinois; Democrats lose 18 seats in Congress | Set stage for election of 1860 |
| John Brown's raid and reactions in North and South | Made South fear a "black Republican" plot against slavery; further polarization and irrationality |
| Democratic party splits in half; Lincoln elected president; South Carolina secedes from the Union | Final breakdown of national parties and election of "northern" president; no more compromises |
| Six more southern states secede by February 1; Confederate Constitution adopted February 4; Lincoln inaugurated March 4; Fort Sumter attacked April 12 | Civil War begins |
