Slavery Divides the Nation
History

An unrecognized republic in North America that existed from 1861 to 1865
Confederacy
An unrecognized republic in North America that existed from 1861 to 1865. Confederacy. The Confederacy was a group of Southern states that seceded from the United States to form their own government during the American Civil War.

A Supreme Court decision that descended from slaves were not citizens of the US
Dred Scott Decision
A Supreme Court decision that descended from slaves were not citizens of the US. Dred Scott Decision. The Dred Scott Decision was an infamous 1857 ruling stating that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court.

A law that provided for the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another
Fugitive Slave Law
A law that provided for the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another. Fugitive Slave Law. The Fugitive Slave Law was a law that required escaped enslaved people to be returned to their enslavers even if they were found in free states.

An American abolitionist and political activist, she rescued around 70 enslaved people
Harriet Tubman
An American abolitionist and political activist, she rescued around 70 enslaved people. Harriet Tubman was a courageous leader who helped enslaved people escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

A politician who helped pass the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay
A politician who helped pass the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. Henry Clay. Henry Clay was a prominent 19th-century U.S. statesman known as the "Great Compromiser" for his role in brokering major agreements to ease tensions between North and South.

An act that made the territories of Kansas and Nebraska which could choose slavery status
Kansas-Nebraska Act
An act that made the territories of Kansas and Nebraska which could choose slavery status. Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the people living in Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not.

An abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad in Indiana and Ohio
Levi Coffin
An abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad in Indiana and Ohio, Levi Coffin. Levi Coffin was known as the "President of the Underground Railroad" for his efforts in helping enslaved people escape to freedom.

Legislation that provided for the admission of Maine to the US as a free state along with Missouri as a slave state
Missouri Compromise
Legislation that provided for the admission of Maine to the US as a free state along with Missouri as a slave state. Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise was an agreement in 1820 that aimed to maintain the balance of power in Congress between free and slave states.

A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Prejudice
A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Prejudice. In history, prejudice is when people are unfairly judged or treated poorly because of characteristics like skin color, religion, or nationality.

When part of one country breaks away or leaves that country to start a new country
Secede
When part of one country breaks away or leaves that country to start a new country secede. Secede means when a region separates from its country to become independent, like when the Southern states left the United States at the start of the Civil War.

The first women's rights convention, social, civil, and religious rights were discussed
Seneca Falls
The first women's rights convention, social, civil, and religious rights were discussed. Seneca Falls. Seneca Falls is a historic meeting that marked the beginning of the women's rights movement in the United States.

Born Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist
Sojourner Truth
Born Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist, Sojourner Truth. She was a former enslaved person who became a powerful voice for abolition and women's rights in the 19th century.

A political powers are held for the state governments rather than the federal government
States rights
A political powers are held for the state governments rather than the federal government. States' rights. States' rights refer to the idea that U.S. states have the power to govern themselves and make their own laws, separate from the federal government.

A network of secret routes used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states
Underground Railroad
A network of secret routes used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states. Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a system of safe houses and secret routes that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the 19th century.