![]() | The 1850s | |
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1850 ![]() The United States and Britain signed the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty guaranteeing the neutrality of a future canal across Central America. In September, Congress passed the Compromise of 1850, which delayed conflict over slavery by admitting California as a free state, organizing the territories of Utah and New Mexico without reference to slavery, abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, and establishing a stronger fugitive slave law. |
1851 |
1852 Authorized a mission to Japan by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Rejected in his bid for nomination for a full term by Northern antislavery Whigs, who favored Gen. Winfield Scott. |
1853 ![]() The Gadsden Purchase settled boundary disputes with Mexico and gave the United States a southern railway route to the Pacific. |
1854 The Kansas Nebraska Act, endorsed by Pierce despite misgivings, was adopted. The law touched off rivalry between pro- and anti-slavery settlers that eventually led to fighting. The Ostend Manifesto, a document detailing a plan to buy Cuba from Spain, caused a furor when it was leaked to the press. |
1855 |
1856 Ordered federal troops into Kansas in an effort to end the fighting there. The Democrats, concerned about Pierce's connection with the Kansas issue, nominated James Buchanan for the presidency. |
1857 ![]() |
1858 Northern candidates opposing Buchanan won a majority in both houses of Congress. |
1859 John Brown was seized at Harpers Ferry and hanged for his attempt to start a slave revolt. |
06/25/00 GRAPHIC HISTORY