USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Territory north of the sacred 36°30’ line was now open to popular sovereignty. The North was outraged. The Kansas-Nebraska act made it possible for the Kansas and Nebraska territories (shown in orange) to open to slavery. The Missouri Compromise had prevented this from happening since 1820.

Detailed explanation-2: -A vote of ten to three in the Territory Council, and thirty-three to three in the Territorial House overrode his veto, and slavery was forbidden in Nebraska. Although the Territory prohibited slavery, at first the legislators limited suffrage to “free white males", as was typical of many states.

Detailed explanation-3: -There was no question that Nebraska would be a free state, but the fate of its southern neighbor, Kansas, became a matter of fierce debate. Pro-and antislavery activists flooded into the new Kansas territory, each side seeking to turn popular sovereignty to their own advantage.

Detailed explanation-4: -Anti-slavery supporters were outraged because, under the terms of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, slavery would have been outlawed in both territories since they were both north of the 36º30’ N dividing line between “slave” and “free” states. After months of debate, the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed on May 30, 1854.

Detailed explanation-5: -It became law on May 30, 1854. The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise, created two new territories, and allowed for popular sovereignty. It also produced a violent uprising known as “Bleeding Kansas, ” as proslavery and antislavery activists flooded into the territories to sway the vote.