Na mbido 1850s, Lincoln kwadoro nkwekọrịta nkwekọrịta, na 1852 ya maka Clay lekwasịrị anya na nkwado nke nke ikpeazụ maka nnwere onwe na mmegide nke "oke abụọ" n'okwu ịgba ohu. Ka 1850s na-aga n'ihu, arụmụka banyere ịgba ohu na Nebraska Territory na Kansas Territory ghọrọ ihe dị egwu, na Senator Douglas tụrụ aro ka ndị mmadụ na-achị achị dị ka nkwekọrịta; atụmatụ ahụ ga-ekwe ka onye ntuli aka nke mpaghara ọ bụla kpebie ọnọdụ ịgba ohu.
Òtù Whig