Kansas-Nebraska Act

The Kansas–Nebraska Act was an Act of Congress in 1854 organizing the remaining territory within the Louisiana Purchase for settlement before its admission to the Union. It was contrived by and passed by those legislators who favored the political standpoint of the use of popular sovereignty to decide if a territory would be open to slavery. Its passage only exacerbated the rift between the Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery and added fuel to the fire that became the American Civil War.

Related Topics:
1854 - Louisiana Purchase - Popular sovereignty - Slavery - American Civil War

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The bill was proposed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois and passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854, after fierce debate. It was signed into law by President Franklin Pierce, a rare northerner who supported slavery. The act divided the region into the Kansas Territory (south of the 40th parallel) and the Nebraska Territory (north of the 40th parallel). The most controversial provision was the stipulation that each territory would separately decide whether to allow slavery within its borders. This provision repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30', though the compromise itself was later held to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott decision of 1856.

Related Topics:
Senator - Stephen A. Douglas - Illinois - May 30 - 1854 - President - Franklin Pierce - Slavery - Kansas Territory - Nebraska Territory - Missouri Compromise - 1820 - Unconstitutional - Supreme Court - Dred Scott decision - 1856

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