may 30, 1854 - Kansas-Nebraska Act

Description:

"The Kansas Nebraska Act stated that when these two territories were added to the union their status as slave or free state would be decided by popular sovereignty. It was passed on May 30, 1854. The idea was created by Stephen A. Douglas. It caused many pro-slavery and anti-slavery supporters to rush to these states to influence the vote. When they arrived, the two groups clashed and violence broke out. It contributed to the cause of the civil by causing tension between the north and south"(preceden.com).