7. The Beating of Charles Sumner: While it was a marked indicator of just how dysfunctional slavery had made the nation, the beating of Charles Sumner was more a symptom of Northern and Southern enmity than a cause.

8. The Compromise of 1850: This legislature strengthened the Fugitive Slave Law and enabled the Kansas-Nebraska act, but it was an attempt at cessation of the tensions erupting between the two halves of the country. It was a poor bandaid on a severed artery, but it did delay the issue for a little while longer.

9. The Missouri Compromise: Like the Compromise of 1850, the Missouri Compromise was an attempt to soothe the hostilities and kick the decision down the road a little. It's effectiveness through the 36 30" law was minimal.

Causes Continued