The Kansas-Nebraska Act as Cause of Civil War
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a huge catalyst in sending the nation to the Civil War. This act reversed the Missouri Compromise and allowed slavery in the remainder of the original areas of the Louisiana Purchase. The balance of power shifted in the government and across the land.
This one act was a political panic attack as many against the act felt that it would “allow slaveholders to dominate the new states of the West” opening the way for the Southern states to dominate the governing of the nation and “to make the North a permanent minority.” (1) Keep in mind that these were two different cultures living as one country. Neither one wanted the other to have control over their people.
Slavery Was Only Part of It
Slavery was only part of the issue. It came down to the two major regions of the nation and who would be in control. This fear of losing position in Congress began the creation of the Republican party. The act showed the possible shift in government majority. This helped to lead to the Civil War as it increased the tensions between the two areas and gave it more fuel to pour on the sputtering fire.
This one act brought old fears back to the surface and opened the door for more fuel that became readily available. It was even more powerful when it was pushed…
