Free State, Slave State Tension

The Compromise of 1850 and Fugitive Slave Act emboldened the south and further polarized the views of northern abolitionists and southern slave holders.  It also served to draw more sympathy and outcry from opponents of slavery due to the realities of free blacks being kidnapped into slavery.  During this mid-nineteenth century period, one can see the country bending toward conflict tension needing to be settled for one side or the other.  The Dred Scott case, drew attention to many questions about slavery and exposed many of the difficulties inherent in a nation made up of free and slave states and territories.  This tension set the stage for the Lincoln-Douglas debates.