Major Events of Presidency:
- The Pro-Slavery Argument and Uncle Tom's Cabin published
- Gadsden Purchase acquires needed for railroad construction in Southwest
- Kansas-Nebraska Act divides a territory included in Louisiana purchase into 2 new states, destroying Whig Party
- Formation of modern Republican party out of Whig's
- Violence occurs in "Bleeding Kansas" incident, debate over whether Kansas should be free or slave
- Preston Brooks assaults Charles Sumner on floor of Senate, sparking outrage in North