The Underground Railroad and Fugitive Slave Act were both major causes of the Civil War's beginning.
- The Underground Railroad became a political network as well as a social network
- After the Dred Scott supreme court decision was passed in 1857, the Northwest Territory joined forces with the Underground Railroad
- This alliance created political parties such as the Free Soil Party and the Republican Party
- Abraham Lincoln, who was newly elected at the time, supported these political parties and did not support slavery
- Although he stated he was not going to disallow slavery from the states it was already used in, many people were not happy with his presidency and it was the turning point for the secession of many states.
- More division and opposing sides were created within the country
- A month after Lincoln was sworn in, the Civil War began
- The Fugitive Slave Act created much tension within the country as well
- Slave owners were expecting and depending on the Northerners to return the runaway slaves
- As abolitionism grew, less people were willing to turn in the slaves trying to escape
- For many, this act made them more determined to help slaves get to freedom because of the unjustness of it all
- Tension between the states and individuals was created because of the reluctance of some to turn in slaves
- This tension and division caused some states to secede from the Union, and the Civil War to begin