Legislation · 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Sponsored by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois and signed by President Franklin Pierce, the act organized the Kansas and Nebraska territories and left the question of slavery there to their settlers under the principle of “popular sovereignty.” It declared the Missouri Compromise’s prohibition of slavery north of 36°30′ “inoperative and void.”

“…it being the true intent and meaning of this act not to legislate slavery into any Territory or State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States…”

Senator Stephen A. Douglas (sponsor), May 30, 1854

Why it matters

Opponents of the act, drawn from Whig, Free Soil and Democratic ranks, came together to found the Republican Party, while violence between rival settlers in the territory became known as “Bleeding Kansas.”

Read the full text at archives.gov

Primary Source

The original record, reproduced or linked from the institution that holds it. Primary sources show what people said and did in their own words.

Subjects

From the library

Related Documents

PM·DOC·1856·018Official GOP Position1856 Republican Platform

Party platform · June 18, 1856

Republican Party Platform of 1856

Presented at the party’s first national convention in Philadelphia, which nominated John C. Frémont for president, the platform declared it both the right and the duty of Congress to prohibit in the territories “those twin relics of barbarism — Polygamy, and Slavery.” It condemned the violence and fraud in Kansas and called for its immediate admission as a free state, supported federal aid for a Pacific railroad and river and harbor improvements, and opposed legislation impairing liberty of conscience and equality of rights among citizens.

Held by The American Presidency Project (UCSB)Open archive

PM·DOC·1857·019Primary Source

Court opinion · March 6, 1857

Dred Scott v. Sandford

In a 7–2 decision, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney held that Black Americans descended from enslaved Africans, whether enslaved or free, were not and could not become citizens of the United States and so could not sue in federal court. The Court further held that Congress lacked power to prohibit slavery in the federal territories and that the Missouri Compromise’s restriction was unconstitutional; Justices John McLean and Benjamin R. Curtis dissented.

Held by National ArchivesOpen archive

PM·DOC·1860·021Primary Source

Speech · February 27, 1860

Cooper Union Address

Speaking at the Cooper Institute in New York City, Lincoln showed through detailed research that at least 21 of the 39 men who signed the Constitution — a clear majority — had acted on the understanding that the federal government could control slavery in the federal territories. He denied that Republicans were sectional radicals, rejected any link between the party and John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, and urged Republicans to stand firm against the expansion of slavery.

Held by Miller Center (University of Virginia)Open archive