Conflict and Peace

Political upheavals have altered and formed the world into what it is today. This article takes a look as some of the most shocking upheavals in history. Each of these events has played a key role in the development of today’s politics.
Between 1849 and 1865, many major events took place, including the American Civil War. The years leading up to the war were turbulent at best. The nation endured a number of cultural and economic changes during this time. The economics of the North and the West were changed by a transportation revolution as well as industrialization. In addition, the majority of the population shifted to the North and the United States way faced with a massive cultural change.
1.    Wilmot Proviso
Acquiring new territory from Mexico via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo rehabilitated a sectional debate, which gripped the nation during the admission of Missouri. Congressional representatives were either concerned by or hopeful for the extension of slavery into new territories. However, the Wilmot Proviso what just as much about party politics inside the Democratic Party. The bill never passed and Southerners were offended by what they believed to be an outright attack on their social systems.
2.    The California Gold Rush
The question of slavery gained urgency when gold was discovered in California in 1848. The following year saw a great influx of miners and prospectors who wanted to strike it rich. Many abandoned their homes, jobs and families to migrate to California. In addition, several Chinese-Americans were attracted to the west coast. The majority of the migrants was never successful in their search for gold and ended up settling in urban San Francisco and Sacramento.
3.    The Compromise of 1850
An senator from the state of Illinois by the name of Stephen A. Douglas brokered The Compromise of 1850, and it was supported by Henry Clay. It lead to the admission of California as a free state, the financial compensation of Texas for loss of territories, abolishment of slavery in the District of Columbia, the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law and allowed the New Mexico territory determine their status through voting.
4.    Bleeding Kansas
Settlers rushed in to Kansas when it was a new territory, some supported slavery and others opposed it. Soon, violent clashed erupted across the land. Elections were held in 1855 for territorial legislature. Although there were only 1,500 voters that were legal, the pro-slavery migrants from Missouri increased the population to more than 6,000. Therefore, the elected officials to the legislature were primarily slavery supporters. Those who opposed slavery were outraged and violence ensued over the next couple of years.
5.    Other memorable political upheavals include:
6.    The Election of 1856
7.    The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
8.    John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry

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