How do these terms connect to the growing conflict in 1850's
John brown
Believed that GOD called on him to fight slavery
Fugitive slave act
Burns' return to slavery followed the passage of the fugitive slave act, which was a component of the compromise of 1850. Many people were surprised by the harsh terms of the act. Under the law, alleged fugitives were not entitled to a trial by jury, despite the sixth amendment provision calling for a speedy and public jury trail and the right to counsel.
Compromise of 1850
Clay presented to the senate a series of resolutions later called the compromise of 1850, which he hoped would settle "all questions in controversy between the free and slave states, growing out of the subject of slavery.
Harriet Tubman
Helped many slaves gain freedom
Secession
Of equal concern was the border dispute in which the slave state of Texas claimed eastern half of New Mexico territory, where the issue of slavery had not yet been settled. In the meantime, northerners demanded the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, while southerners accused the north of failing to enforce the fugitive slave act of 1793. As passions rose, some southerners threatened secession, the formal withdrawal of a state from the union .
Nativism
One alternative was the American party which had its roots in a secret organization known as the order of the star spangled banner. Members of this society believed in nativism, which was the favoring of native born Americans over immigrants.
Popular sovereignty
Other provisions of the compromise had elements that appealed to both regions. For example, a provision that allowed residents of the territories of New Mexico and Utah popular sovereignty.
Stephen A. Douglas
The senate rejected the proposed compromise in July. Stephen douglas of Illinois picked up the pro-compromise reins. To avoid defeat, Douglas developed a shrewd plan. He unbundled the package of resolutions and reintroduced them one at time, hoping to obtain majority vote for each measure individually.
