Changes

* In 1840, the first anti-slavery party (called the "Liberty Party") formed.  It lasted until 1848, when it merged with opponents of slavery in the Whig and Democratic Parties in order to form another anti-slavery party, the stronger Free-Soil party.

* In 1840, the first anti-slavery party (called the "Liberty Party") formed.  It lasted until 1848, when it merged with opponents of slavery in the Whig and Democratic Parties in order to form another anti-slavery party, the stronger Free-Soil party.

* In 1842, the union workers' movement obtained a key court ruling in their favor from the Massachusetts Supreme Court, in ''[[Commonwealth v. Hunt]]''.  That decision held that it was legal for workers to organize a union and to strike. Union power was greatly increased by this ability to strike (and shut down a factory) when the employer does not give into union demands.  Some blame the collapse of the American automobile industry today and the resultant depression in Michigan on an abuse by unions of their great power.  The unionization of ''government'' workers also became a national controversy, as the Wisconsin Governor seeks to terminate the basic union power of  "collective bargaining" for its ''government'' workers.

* In 1842, the union workers' movement obtained a key court ruling in their favor from the Massachusetts Supreme Court, in ''[[Commonwealth v. Hunt]]''.  That decision held that it was legal for workers to organize a union and to strike. Union power was greatly increased by this ability to strike (and shut down a factory) when the employer does not give into union demands.  Some blame the collapse of the American automobile industry today and the resultant depression in Michigan on abuse by unions of their great power.  The unionization of ''government'' workers also became a national controversy, as the Wisconsin Governor seeks to terminate the basic union power of  "collective bargaining" for its ''government'' workers.

==James K. Polk and War with Mexico==

==James K. Polk and War with Mexico==

In the "Crime against Kansas" speech, an abolitionist Senator from Massachusetts Charles Sumner described the slave oligarchy and insulted and humiliated the elderly Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina (who was not there during Sumner's speech). In retaliation, Butler's nephew, Preston Butler, who was a congressman, went into Sumner's chambers and beat him senseless with a cane.  It took Sumner many years to recover. Preston Butler immediately resigned but became such a hero to the South that he was unanimously reelected by his district.

In the "Crime against Kansas" speech, an abolitionist Senator from Massachusetts Charles Sumner described the slave oligarchy and insulted and humiliated the elderly Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina (who was not there during Sumner's speech). In retaliation, Butler's nephew, Preston Butler, who was a congressman, went into Sumner's chambers and beat him senseless with a cane.  It took Sumner many years to recover. Preston Butler immediately resigned but became such a hero to the South that he was unanimously reelected by his district.

This entire conflict in Kansas over slavery in the 1850s was called "Bleeding Kansas" because of the violence that occurred on both sides.  As an example of history "repeating itself," more than 120 years later Kansas became the center of national attention based on its internal conflict over the abortion issue.

This entire conflict in Kansas over slavery in the 1850s was called "Bleeding Kansas" because of the violence that occurred on both sides.  As an example of "history repeating itself," more than 120 years later Kansas became the center of national attention based on its internal conflict over the abortion issue.

The never-ratified Lecompton Constitution of Kansas was an unsuccessful attempt to stop the violence in Kansas.  This pro-slavery document was designed as a response to the positions of the abolitionists.  The Lecompton Constitution never took effect as it was first rejected by Congress and then defeated by a referendum (vote) in the state of Kansas.

The never-ratified Lecompton Constitution of Kansas was an unsuccessful attempt to stop the violence in Kansas.  This pro-slavery document was designed as a response to the positions of the abolitionists.  The Lecompton Constitution never took effect as it was first rejected by Congress and then defeated by a referendum (vote) in the state of Kansas.